The Real Last Samurai Was French — Part 2
2026-08-23
Part 1 of “The Real Last Samurai Was French” became one of my most viewed and commented posts. So I felt I should complete the story and explain what happened after the final battle.
In Part 1, I wrote about Jules Brunet, the French officer who chose to fight alongside the former Tokugawa forces during Japan’s Boshin War.
But what happened after the Battle of Hakodate?
By 1869, defeat was inevitable. As Imperial forces closed in, Brunet and the other French officers escaped aboard the French corvette Coëtlogon. They were taken to Yokohama, and Brunet eventually returned to France.
The Japanese samurai stayed behind.
Enomoto Takeaki, Ōtori Keisuke, and the remaining Tokugawa forces surrendered to the new Meiji government. Many were imprisoned but later pardoned.
Enomoto eventually joined the very government he had fought against, becoming a diplomat and cabinet minister. Ōtori also entered government service and became a diplomat.
Brunet returned to the French Army, fought in the Franco-Prussian War, and eventually became a general.
The French officer returned to France. The samurai remained in Japan.
And the men who fought on the losing side lived to serve the new world that replaced the one they had tried to defend.
Thank you for all the comments.
Merci beaucoup pour tous vos commentaires.
Disclaimer: I use AI as a tool to help create images and proofread my writing. However, the ideas, opinions, experiences, and messages in my posts are my own. AI does not generate my posts for me. It simply helps me present my own words and ideas more clearly.
Kenichi Uchikura
Founder & CEO
Pacific Software Publishing, Inc. (PSPINC)
Uchikura & Co., LLC.
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..
ABOUT THIS BLOG
I was born and raised in Japan and have spent most of my adult life in the United States. Through this blog, I share Japanese culture, language, expressions, and wisdom. My goal is not to say one culture is better, but to explore different perspectives and what we can learn from them.
Your comments are always welcome.
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..
Kenichi Uchikura
Founder & CEO
Pacific Software Publishing, Inc. (PSPINC)
Uchikura & Co., LLC.
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..
ABOUT THIS BLOG
I was born and raised in Japan and have spent most of my adult life in the United States. Through this blog, I share Japanese culture, language, expressions, and wisdom. My goal is not to say one culture is better, but to explore different perspectives and what we can learn from them.
Your comments are always welcome.
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..