to institute a parliamentary system amongst the prisoners. After his release in 1872, Ōtori agreed to work in the Meiji government, first becoming involved in land reclamation, and later becoming president of the Gakushūin Peers' School in 1886. In 1889, Ōtori was sent as an ambassador to China's Qing dynasty and Korea's Joseon dynasty. He also had an instrumental role in the opening of the First Sino-Japanese War. Ōtori was also involved in efforts to preserve history. Beginning in 1898, he assisted with the editing and publication of the magazine Kyū Bakufu, which focused on archiving memoirs and accounts of the former Shogunate by the men who had made up its ranks. He also contributed to the building of a monument to the war dead in Hakodate. Ōtori Keisuke died from esophageal cancer two months after his 78th birthday. See also List of Ambassadors from Japan to South Korea References External links 大鳥圭介 at bakusin.com Japanese military leaders Japanese diplomats Japanese educators 19th-century Japanese historians Samurai Hatamoto People of the Boshin War Military personnel from Hyōgo Prefecture Deaths from esophageal cancer Deaths from cancer in Japan 1833 births 1911 deaths Place of death missing