Xixiang longsheng statue (in ueno park), A Tribute to a Modernizing Leader of Meiji Era

5-20 Uenokōen, Taitō ku, Tokyo 110-0007, Japan

3.5

Introduction

Takamori Saigo (January 23, 1828 - September 24, 1877) was a samurai, soldier, and politician of Satsuma Domain during the late Edo period. Together with Toshimichi Okubo and Kaishu Katsu, he is known as one of the three great nobles of the Meiji Restoration. Saigo served as a general in the Meiji government, but later had a falling out with the government which led to the outbreak of the Satsuma Rebellion. Ultimately, the rebellion failed and he was forced to perform ritual suicide. However, due to public sympathy and support, the Emperor Meiji granted him a posthumous pardon and elevated him to the rank of Third Court rank. Takamori Saigo was one of the leaders who spearheaded Japan's modernization during the Meiji period. In 1898, a ceremony was held in his honor to commemorate him. He also owned a dog named Tsun.