Kaientai

Kaientai was a covert naval and military organization founded in 1864 by Sakamoto Ryoma during Japan's late Edo period. It aimed to modernize Japan’s forces by incorporating Western technology and tactics, particularly for protection and strategic purposes. Operating primarily in the waters around Japan, Kaientai played a significant role in resisting foreign influence and internal conflicts leading up to the country's Meiji Restoration. Although small, its innovative approach and nationalistic goals made it influential in Japan’s transition from feudalism to a modern state.