Saigō Takamori

Who They Were

Saigō Takamori (西郷隆盛, さいごう たかもり) was a samurai of the Satsuma Domain, a supreme commander of the Imperial Japanese Army, and one of the three great nobles who led the Meiji Restoration. Born on 23 January 1828 in Kajiya-chō, he lived through the Edo period (1603–1868) and into the early Meiji era. His life spanned the eleventh year of the Bunsei era (文政) at his birth to the tenth year of Meiji at his death on 24 September 1877.

Saigō was the son of Saigō Kichibei, a low-ranking samurai, and Shiihara Masa. He was named after his father, and his own name would later be carried on by his son Toratarō Saigō. He married three times: Arikana, Ijūin Suga, and Saigō Itoko. His children included Toratarō, Kikujirō, and Kikusō.

Life and Career

Saigō rose to prominence as a retainer of Shimazu Nariakira, the daimyō of Satsuma Domain. Working in Edo and Kyoto, he became involved in national politics, advocating for reform of the shogunate and a stronger role for the imperial court. After Nariakira's death, Saigō was exiled twice—first to Amami Ōshima, then to the harsher Okinoerabujima. During these exiles he developed the political and philosophical ideas that would guide his later actions.

Pardoned and recalled, Saigō played a crucial part in forging the Satchō Alliance between Satsuma and Chōshū Domain. This alliance was instrumental in the downfall of the Tokugawa shogunate during the Boshin War. Saigō commanded imperial forces and negotiated the bloodless surrender of Edo Castle, a decisive moment in the conflict.

In the new Meiji government, Saigō held significant posts, including commander of the Imperial Guard. He was involved in major reforms such as the abolition of the han system, and he served as a central figure in the caretaker government during the Iwakura Mission abroad. In 1873, he resigned from the government over policy disagreements, particularly the rejection of his proposal for a mission to Korea, an episode known as the Incident of 1873.

Returning to his native Kagoshima, Saigō became the reluctant leader of disaffected samurai who rose against the central government in the Satsuma Rebellion. Despite initial successes, the rebellion was crushed by the numerically and technologically superior Imperial Japanese Army. Saigō died by seppuku after being critically wounded in the final battle at Shiroyama, in Yamashita-chō. All of his men were killed in action.

Why They Matter

Saigō Takamori was one of the three great nobles who led the Meiji Restoration, the movement that overthrew the Tokugawa shogunate in 1868 and established the modern imperial state. His military leadership in the Boshin War and his role in the Satchō Alliance were decisive in the shogunate's fall. In government, he helped shape early Meiji reforms, including the abolition of the han system.

His later opposition to the government he helped create gives him a unique place in Japanese history. The Satsuma Rebellion was the last major armed challenge to the Meiji state, and Saigō's death marked the end of the samurai class as a political force. His career thus spans the entire arc of Japan's transition from feudalism to a modern nation, and he was a central actor at every stage.

The Name in Japanese

The name is written 西郷隆盛 in Japanese.

• Kana reading: さいごう たかもり
• Romaji: Saigō Takamori

Character by character:

• 西 (さい, sai) — "west." This is the first character of the family name.
• 郷 (ごう, gō) — "home village" or "rural district." Together, 西郷 means "western village," the family's original place of origin.
• 隆 (たか, taka) — "prosperous" or "noble." This is the first character of the given name.
• 盛 (もり, mori) — "flourishing" or "vigorous." Together, 隆盛 means "prosperous and flourishing," a name reflecting hopes for strength and success.

The family name Saigō is shared by the Saigō Takamori family, and the given name Takamori was passed down through generations. The reading さいごう for 西郷 is the standard pronunciation, though the characters individually would normally read "nishi" and "sato" in other contexts.

Legacy

Saigō's death cemented his legendary status. He is often referred to as "the last true samurai" and remains a highly popular and romanticized figure in Japan. His life and death have been the subject of numerous books, films, and artistic depictions, reflecting an enduring fascination with his character and his complex role in Japan's transition from feudalism to a modern state.

His notable work, Nanshūō Ikun, preserves his writings and sayings. The Nanshū-ji Temple was named after him, and his name lives on in the Saigō family line through his son Toratarō. While historical accounts of his actions and motivations vary, Saigō Takamori is widely regarded as a symbol of samurai virtue, sincerity, and tragic heroism. His statue in Ueno Park in Tokyo remains one of the most famous public monuments in Japan, depicting him in simple hunting attire with his dog—an image that captures the plainspoken, principled figure he was remembered as.