The Unrealized Prefecture of Takasaki

In 1871, The Meiji Government abolished the domain system and established prefectures to make the stronger centralized government. Most of the domains had to obey the new policy as they were suffering from financial difficulties and riots. The domains in Kozuke Country changed their names to Maebashi, Takasaki, Numata, Annaka, Obata, Isesaki, Nanokaichi and Tatebayashi prefectures, respectively. The domain that had been controlled by the Tokugawa government became Iwahana prefecture.

Then the Meiji Government consolidated the prefectures to strengthen the power of domination. The first plan was to consolidate the eight prefectures in Kozuke Country, and to give the name “Takasaki Prefecture”. However the name was changed to Gunma Prefecture at a few days later, so Takasaki Prefecture was not realized. The name “Gunma” was derived from Gunma-gun where Maebashi and Takasaki prefecture were located.

Relocation of Prefectural Office

In 1871, Gunma prefecture came into being, and the prefectural office was located in Takasaki Castle. However it was moved to Maebashi-city by the Meiji Government in the following year because the castle was used for military purposes. The people working at the Gunma prefectural office were upset at the decision and asked to replace it, however the request was not accepted. Then the new office was located at Maebashi Castle. The prefectural office in Takasaki city had lasted for only eight months.

In 1873, the office was moved again to Kumagaya prefecture which consolidated Gunma and Iruma prefectures. Maebashi-city became the branch office temporally. However, fifteen days later, the branch office was moved to Takasaki city.

Three years later, Kumagaya prefecture was abolished and Gunma prefecture came into being again, which formed the shape of a flying crane for the 1st time. The new prefectural office was temporarily located at the Ankokuji Temple. However, the office was so small that it was moved to Maebashi-city for convenience of the governor.

The people of Takasaki city protested against the decision and kept asking to replace it in Takasaki. However, the campaign did not work out. The prefectural office was formally placed in Maebashi-city by the Meiji Government in 1881. Thousands of people in Takasaki city went to Maebashi-city, blaming the governor for reversing the decision, and asked for the relocation of the office. They took legal action, however the trial did not change the situation. Since then, the prefectural office has remained in Maebashi-city.

Democratic Freedom Rights Movement and the Gunma Incident

In 1874, the democratic freedom rights movement began along with the movement of Itagaki Taisuke who requested the election by the people. At first, the movement was lead by people who were not satisfied with the new government which was mainly controlled by the Satsuma and Choshu domains. Then, the movement began to involve farmers and became a nationwide campaign stimulated by the western democratic idea.

In Takasaki city, Miyabe Joh and Nagasaka Hachiro established Yushin-sha to promote organized activities. In September 1880, they held rallies and other activities to resolute the opening of parliament and submit a petition to the government.

Birth of Takasaki City

Takasaki city was born on April1, 1900. The population at that time was 31,592.

The first mayor was Yajima Hachiro, who was born in 1850 into a family of horse dealers for the postal service. He lost his parents when he was very young, and started to run a transportation business on the Nakasendo Road in 1873. When it was decided to construct the Takasaki station in 1884, he contributed his land. He was also engaged in the construction of the Basha Railway at the Usui Pass (JR Shinetsu Line, currently) and the Takasaki-Shimonita Keibin Railway (Joshin Railway, currently) and he joined the House of Representatives.