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Kaishû was born in [[Edo]] in [[1823]], the son of low-ranking ''[[hatamoto]]'' [[Katsu Kokichi]], and in his youth attended classes in [[rangaku|Western studies]] and then studied naval science from the Dutch naval detachment in [[Nagasaki]]. Kaishû rose in rank to become commissioner of the Tokugawa navy in [[1860]] and captained [[Kanrin Maru|Japan's first cross-Pacific journey]] to [[San Francisco]]. Kaishû believed that Japan’s future was best served to open itself to the world and this put his life in jeopardy at the hands of Japan’s [[sonno|pro-Imperial]], [[joi|anti-foreign]] radicals. Originally intent on cutting down Kaishû, [[Sakamoto Ryoma|Sakamoto Ryôma]] became hooked on Kaishû's vision for Japan and became his leading disciple. Kaishû protected the outlaw Ryôma and other ronin in a naval academy that Kaishû established in [[Kobe]] and installed Ryôma as its head. Kaishû also contributed to the surrender of [[Edo]] to pro-Imperial forces without resistance in order to avoid catastrophic losses of life and property.
Kaishû was born in [[Edo]] in [[1823]], the son of low-ranking ''[[hatamoto]]'' [[Katsu Kokichi]], and in his youth attended classes in [[rangaku|Western studies]] and then studied naval science from the Dutch naval detachment in [[Nagasaki]]. Kaishû rose in rank to become commissioner of the Tokugawa navy in [[1860]] and captained [[Kanrin Maru|Japan's first cross-Pacific journey]] to [[San Francisco]]. Kaishû believed that Japan’s future was best served to open itself to the world and this put his life in jeopardy at the hands of Japan’s [[sonno|pro-Imperial]], [[joi|anti-foreign]] radicals. Originally intent on cutting down Kaishû, [[Sakamoto Ryoma|Sakamoto Ryôma]] became hooked on Kaishû's vision for Japan and became his leading disciple. Kaishû protected the outlaw Ryôma and other ronin in a naval academy that Kaishû established in [[Kobe]] and installed Ryôma as its head. Kaishû also contributed to the surrender of [[Edo]] to pro-Imperial forces without resistance in order to avoid catastrophic losses of life and property.
In the [[Meiji period]], Kaishû was granted the title of ''Hakushaku'' in the new Meiji [[kazoku|peerage]], and went on to serve as head of the [[Privy Council]] for a time, and also as naval commissioner until his retirement from public life. Following his death in [[1899]], he was buried with his wife near the site of their home, on the shores of Senzoku Pond, in what is today ''Senzoku-ike kôen'' (Senzoku Pond Public Park) in [[Tokyo]].
Following the [[battle of Toba-Fushimi]], in which Katsu fought for the [[Tokugawa shogunate]], he met with [[Saigo Takamori|Saigô Takamori]] (a leader of the opposing armies) at Saigô's encampment at [[Ikegami Honmonji]]. It is said that it was as a result of this meeting that the peaceful surrender of [[Edo castle]] was arranged. This spared Edo a certain degree of destruction, which might have resulted had the shogunate chosen to hold out further.
In the [[Meiji period]], Kaishû was granted the title of ''Hakushaku'' in the new Meiji [[kazoku|peerage]], and went on to serve as head of the [[Privy Council]] for a time, and also as naval commissioner until his retirement from public life. In [[1891]], via a connection through [[Tsuda Sen]] (father of [[Tsuda Umeko]]), Kaishû purchased a plot of land at Senzoku-ike (Senzoku Pond), and built his retirement home there. Following his death in [[1899]], he was buried with his wife near the site of their home, on the shores of Senzoku Pond, in what is today ''Senzoku-ike kôen'' (Senzoku Pond Public Park) in [[Tokyo]].
==Katsu Kaishu in Fiction==
==Katsu Kaishu in Fiction==