Matsudaira Yasuhide

A hatamoto (samurai vassal) of the late Edo period. Also known as Yasuhide and Kohei, he was called Zusho no Kami (chief librarian). He was appointed Nagasaki magistrate in January 1807 (Bunka 4). In August of the following year, due to the influence of the Napoleonic Wars, the British warship Phaeton invaded Nagasaki to capture a Dutch ship, committing an illegal act. Yasuhide resupplied the Phaeton with firewood, water, and food, but on the 18th, Yasuhide, feeling a deep sense of national shame and responsibility, committed suicide, leaving a suicide note. The Saga domain, which was in charge of guarding Nagasaki, was investigated by the shogunate for inadequate security, and the domain's lord, Nabeshima Narinao, was ordered to live in seclusion. This was the so-called "Phaeton Incident," and it was an external pressure that shocked Japan, which had been closed off to the outside world. This incident prompted the Saga domain to urgently expand its defenses and strengthen its military, and became the spark that led to reforms in the domain's government at the end of the Edo period.

[Fujino Tamotsu]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

江戸後期の旗本。別名は康秀・康平、図書頭(ずしょのかみ)と称した。1807年（文化4）正月長崎奉行(ぶぎょう)に就任。翌8年8月、ナポレオン戦争の影響によって、イギリス軍艦フェートン号がオランダ船拿捕(だほ)のため長崎に侵入し不法行為を行った。康英が薪水(しんすい)食糧を補給したためフェートン号は退去したが、18日、康英は国辱と責任を痛感し遺書を残して自殺した。長崎御番役の当番年にあたっていた佐賀藩は、幕府から警固の不備を追及され、藩主鍋島斉直(なべしまなりなお)は逼塞(ひっそく)を命じられた。いわゆる「フェートン号事件」がこれで、鎖国日本に衝撃を与える外圧となった。佐賀藩では、この事件を契機に防備拡充・軍備増強が急務となり、幕末藩政改革の導火線となった。

［藤野　保］

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