Ansei Purge

The Ansei Purge (安政の大獄 Ansei no taigoku) was the persecution of political opponents of government leadership in Japan in 1858 and 1859. Over 100 people were purged from their positions within the bakufu, or from various han or from the Imperial Court in Kyoto.

The name "Ansei Purge" refers to the "Ansei period", a Japanese era that followed the Kaei period and was followed by the Man'en period. In other words, the Ansei Purge was an event that occurred during the Ansei period, which spanned the years 1854 through 1860.

Eight of those who were "purged" were also executed.

• Ansei 5 (1858): Beginning of arrests of troublemakers by order of Ii Naosuke.
• Ansei 6 (1859): Arrests and investigations continuing.

• Ansei 7 (March 3, 1860): Ii Naosuke assassinated, also known as "Sakurada-mon Incident."

The purge was carried out by Ii Naosuke in an effort to quiet opposition to his handling of the question of shogunal succession and the signing of the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Amity and Commerce.

Those prosecuted during the purge included:

• Matsudaira Yoshinaga - head of Fukui Domain
• Date Munenari - head of Uwajima Domain
• Yamanouchi Toyoshige - head of Tosa Domain
• Sanai Hashimoto