Saigō Takamori facts for kids
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Saigō Takamori
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A conté of Takamori, by Edoardo Chiossone.
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| Native name |
西郷 隆盛
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| Birth name | Saigō Kokichi | ||||||||||||||||
| Other name(s) | Saigō Nanshū | ||||||||||||||||
| Born | January 23, 1828 Kagoshima, Satsuma Domain (now Kagoshima, Japan) |
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| Died | September 24, 1877 (aged 49) Kagoshima, Empire of Japan (now Kagoshima, Japan) |
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| Buried |
Nanshu Cemetery, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan
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| Allegiance | Satsuma Domain | ||||||||||||||||
| Battles/wars | Boshin War
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| Spouse(s) |
Suga Ijuin
(m. 1852; div. 1854) Otoma Kane "Aigana" (m. 1859–1862)
Iwayama Itoko (m. 1865–1877)
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| Children | 3 sons, 1 daughter | ||||||||||||||||
| Relations |
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Saigō Takamori (Takanaga) (西郷 隆盛 (隆永), January 23, 1828 – September 24, 1877) was one of the most influential samurai in Japanese history and one of the three great nobles who led the Meiji Restoration. Living during the late Edo and early Meiji periods, he has been dubbed the last true samurai. He was born Saigō Kokichi (西郷 小吉), and received the given name Takamori in adulthood. He wrote poetry under the name Saigō Nanshū (西郷 南洲). His younger brother was Gensui The Marquis Saigō Jūdō.
Shōgun Tokugawa Yoshinobu resigned, returning power to the Emperor in what came to be known as the Meiji Restoration. However, Saigō was one of the most vocal and vehement opponents to the negotiated solution, demanding that the Tokugawa be stripped of their lands and special status. His intransigence was one of the major causes of the subsequent Boshin War.
During the Boshin War, Saigō led the imperial forces at the Battle of Toba–Fushimi, and then led the imperial army toward Edo, where he accepted the surrender of Edo Castle from Katsu Kaishū.
Images for kids
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Kanji for "Saigō Takamori"
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The birthplace at Kajiya-chō, Kagoshima
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Saigō Takamori (with tall helmet) inspecting Chōshū troops at the Battle of Toba–Fushimi
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Saigō Takamori in French-inspired uniform
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The Seikanron debate. Saigō Takamori is sitting in the center. 1877 painting.
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Saigō preparing for war
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Saigō Takamori (upper right) directing his troops at the Battle of Shiroyama
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The deathplace monument at Shiroyama-chō, Kagoshima
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Saigō Takamori Gunmusho (軍務所) banknote, issued in 1877 to finance his war effort. Japan Currency Museum.
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Saigō Takamori (seated, in Western uniform), surrounded by his officers, in samurai attire. News article in Le Monde Illustré, 1877.
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Saigō Takamori's statue near the southern entrance of Ueno Park.
