Leaders of the 1877 Satsuma Rebellion: Saigo Takamori, Kirino Toshiaki and Others

Artist Tsukioka Yoshitoshi 月岡芳年 (Japanese, 1839–1892)

DateOctober 4, 1877

Mediumwoodblock print; ink and color on paper; oban triptych

ClassificationsPrints

Credit LineAlexander H. Bullock Fund

Terms

Object number2002.234

Descriptionvertical ōban; triptych
Label Text2003-04-03: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (Japanese, 1839-92) Leaders of the 1877 Satsuma Rebellion: Saigo Takamori, Kirino Toshiaki and Others Registered August 17, 1878 Woodblock print, ink and color on paper, oban triptych Alexander H. Bullock Fund, 2002.234 Saigo Takamori (1827-77), depicted in a black western-style uniform and boots in the triptych is often called "the last samurai" and a paragon of the samurai spirit. The son of a poor, low-ranking samurai, he was determined to improve the situation of the disaffected samurai class. While serving the Shimazu daimyo of Kagoshima in Satsuma province, Kyushu Island, Saigo became a leading figure in the movement which pressured the shogun to resign and which restored power to the emperor (1867-68). The new government, under Emperor Meiji in Tokyo, appointed Saigo as commandProvenanceThe Katie and Scott McDonald Collection, Rochester, NY

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