Walking through a Turning Point in History at Sakuradamon: The Stage of an Epoch-Making Incident that Shook the Authority of the Shogunate

Subtitle: A Modern Manga Guide to Hacking Capitalism and Building Digital Wealth, Inspired by Ii Naosuke's Strategy

🌟A behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the modern-day *Kibyoshi* series!

1. Introduction

Chita, a salaryman with a potbelly, while carrying the stress from his days as a salaryman is walking around the Sakuradamon area near the Imperial Palace in Tokyo alongside his sophisticated snow leopard partner, Rachel. Right before them spread majestic gates and stone walls, with the modern skyscrapers of Marunouchi towering in the distance. Right before them spread a vast plaza, with the modern skyscrapers of Marunouchi towering in the distance, and Imperial Palace runners dashing briskly between them. It is a fascinating space where the historical weight of Edo Castle ruins intersects with the hustle and bustle of the modern capital.

 "Well, the stone walls of the moat are truly magnificent. This is one of the main gates of Edo Castle, isn't it?"

Muttering this while soaking in a relaxed tourist vibe, Chita is met with a cold, piercing declaration from Rachel as she looks down at her tablet.

 "You can't afford to be carefree, Chita. This isn't just a sightseeing spot. It is the ultimate stage where a historical drama unfolded that fundamentally transformed Japan's modern history." At that sharp remark, Chita straightens his posture with a start, enveloped in the unique atmosphere held by this historical site.

2. Historical Reflection: Ii Naosuke's Decision and the Sakuradamon Incident

On March 3, 1860 (Ansei 7), right outside the Sakuradamon of Edo Castle, the "Sakuradamon Incident" erupted, in which Ii Naosuke, the Chief Minister (Tairo) and highest authority of the shogunate, was struck down by 18 masterless samurai from the Mito Domain. Often depicted in textbooks and conventional historical dramas as a "dictator" or a "cold-hearted villain" who ruthlessly suppressed his opponents, Ii Naosuke was, from the perspective of a shogunate on the verge of collapse, a remarkably rational and responsible statesman.

To cope with the national crisis since the arrival of the Black Ships, he pushed through the unauthorized signing of the Treaty of Amity and Commerce between the United States and Japan without obtaining permission from the Imperial Court, staking his political life to open the country. Although he also demonstrated his capability in the shogunal succession issue, his somewhat forceful methods created numerous enemies. Then came a snowy morning, when Naosuke's procession heading to the castle was ambushed just outside Sakuradamon. Due to the unfortunate bad weather, his guards were wearing rain capes, and their sword hilts and scabbards were covered in leather bags, making prompt defense impossible and resulting in the loss of his life.

Through this incident, the previously absolute authority of Edo Castle and the order of the shogunate were severely damaged and plunged into an irrecoverable collapse. This single blow acted as a catalyst, accelerating the Sonno Joi (revere the emperor, expel the barbarians) movement across Japan and ultimately leading to the massive historical surge known as the "Meiji Restoration." The lonely decision and tragic conclusion borne by Ii Naosuke deeply teach us today the immense difficulty of maintaining organizations and power in times of drastic change.

🎬 Go Deeper: Enjoy the four-panel manga with Rachel & Chita

3. The Gallic Wars × AI (Modern Strategy)

Julius Caesar, the great leader of ancient Rome, meticulously recorded his own campaigns in "The Gallic Wars," winning over the general public rather than the central Senate to become the victor of his era. In every major turning point of history, there always exists an "outlaw" who infiltrates from outside the framework of existing systems and old structures to introduce new rules. The society we live in today is similarly in the midst of a massive transformation.

Many salarymen remain trapped in daily routines, blindly believing in the old operating system that "as long as you work faithfully for a corporate organization, a stable salary and future are guaranteed." However, as French economist Thomas Piketty points out, with the growing distortion of capitalism—where the rate of return on capital exceeds the economic growth rate—a harsh reality is being thrust upon those who depend solely on a salary as the compensation for labor. Furthermore, with the advent of generative AI, the value of white-collar work, such as conventional knowledge and administrative processing skills, is rapidly commodified, and the very premise of how we work is beginning to crumble.

The era of clinging to a corporation, sweating desperately, and performing tasks exactly as told has already come to an end. What we must practice now is a transition to "Creation Investing," where we harness generative AI as "the ultimate employee who never complains and works 24 hours a day," building our own experiences and philosophy into digital assets. Owning our own playing field and designing a horizontal division-of-labor ecosystem for independent business owners with our own hands can become a viable option to break through modern Sakuradamon and win true economic and mental freedom.

4.Conclusion: Reality Check

Deeply impressed by the grand romance of history and the universal structure running through modern AI society, Chita speaks his grand resolution with sparkling eyes.

  "I see...! The swells of history and modern business share the exact same essence. Alright, I'll stop relying on the company starting today and launch my own business empire fully utilizing AI right now!"

However, tilting her teacup with cool composure and sipping her tea gracefully right beside him, Rachel delivers a sharp, sweeping retort while casting a chilling gaze.

"If you have time to escape reality with sentimentality, use an AI prompt to resolve the business errors piled up right in front of you right now. There is no free labor in life."

Leaving behind Chita as he clutches his head in despair at that realistic wake-up call and frantically turns back to his tablet, quiet dusk begins to creep over the skies of Tokyo.

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▪Disclaimer

The information provided on this blog is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute professional financial or investment advice. We do not provide third-party asset management or individual management services. Please make investment decisions at your own risk.

© 2026 Julius.inc / Kibyoshi Project. All Rights Reserved.

"This character and setting are the intellectual property of Julius Inc., based on its own doctrine."

■Author Profile

About the Author Kenji Kamioka
AFP (Certified by the Japan Association for Financial Planners), Licensed Real Estate Transaction Specialist
President and CEO of Julius Co., Ltd.

An investor and media owner with over 10 years of business management experience in Asian countries: Thailand, and Vietnam. While actively managing real estate and financial assets through his own company, he promotes a lifestyle that leverages the structure of capitalism. He has authored numerous books.

Please click here for a list of my publications　👉Amazon.com: KENJI KAMIOKA: books, biography, latest update

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