IWAKURA, TOMOMI, PRINCE (1835-1883), Japanese statesman, was born in Kyoto. He was one of the court nobles (kuge) of Japan, and he traced his descent to the emperor Mura kami (A.D. 947-967). He took a leading part in the complications preceding the fall of the Tokugawa shogunate, and was obliged to fly from Kyoto accompanied by his coadjutor, Prince They took refuge with the Daimyo of Choshil, and, while there, established relations which contributed greatly to the ultimate union of the two great fiefs, Satsuma and ChOshu, for the work of the Restoration. From 1867 until the day of his death Iwakura
was one of the most prominent figures on the political stage. In 1871 he proceeded to America and Europe at the head of an em bassy of some fifty persons, to explain to foreign governments existing conditions in Japan, and to prepare for negotiating new treaties consistent with her sovereign rights. Little success at tended the mission. Returning to Japan in 1873, Iwakura found the cabinet divided as to the manner of dealing with Korea. He advocated peace, and his influence carried the day.