An Investigator who Fought Against a Great Evil

OOSHIO Heihachirou

When OOSHIO Heihachirou (1793 - 1837) was inaugurated as a yoriki (similar to a present-day police investigator) in Osaka at the age of 25, he received a cake box filled with money from a criminal suspect. Realizing that many investigators in the bugyousho (similar to a present-day police station) were taking bribes, he was very surprised at the turn of events. Furthermore, there was a yoriki called YUGE Shin’emon who controlled people in the underworld and let his followers rob and kill people.

Heihachirou, who was a man with a strong sense of justice, totally destroyed Yuge's organization. When Yuge found himself at a stand still, he committed suicide. However, highranking officials of the bakufu (the equivalent of a presentday government) were behind this incident. Since Heihachirou knew he was in danger, he begged his relative to provide shelter to his lover and fought against the ringleaders. While he investigated the case, he was subject to continuous harassment and pressure.

In 1830, a judgment was handed down about the case that Heihachirou had revealed. But the outcome was like a lizard casting off of its tail – it concluded with only the punishment of a few of the officials' followers. A month later when his understanding supervisor resigned, Heihachirou also left the bugyousho. Afterwards he became a scholar and mastered the study of youmeigaku that preaches: "It is not true knowledge unless you practice it, even if you know it's good to do it".

For three years from 1833, more than 200,000 Japanese starved due to a poor crop caused by a typhoon and cold weather. There were many victims in Osaka, therefore Heihachirou submitted the following idea to the city office (bugyousho): "Wholesale rice stores have lots of rice. I hope you will order them not to restrict the sale of rice in anticipation of a rise in prices." However, the officer accused Heihachirou instead saying "What a rude fellow you are to interfere with us!"

In Osaka the price of rice jumped by a factor of six. Now that the situation had reached a head, Heihachirou made up his mind to take a stand himself and demand that wealthy merchants open up their rice warehouses for the people – or face violence. Before doing so, Heihachirou sold 50,000 of his precious books and distributed the huge amount of money he earned to 10,000 poor people. He began his campaign on February 19, 1837. However, on the day, one of his followers betrayed him by informing the bugyousho of his plan. In spite of this setback, Heihachirou's plan was carried out. Farmers rose up one after another and attacked the wealthy merchants.

However, after a while the farmers were brought back under control by the overwhelming majority of the regular army. Heihachirou scattered gunpowder in a house and died in the explosion. Bakufu crucified Heihachirou’s charred body together with his followers as a warning to others. In addition they banned the building of a tomb for him. He died at the age of 44. The idea that those who fight against injustice and tyranny will be liquidated is prevailing even at present around the world. Heihachirou’s death should make us aware that human beings can be very sinful.

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