Saigo Takamori and The Satsuma
Saigo Takamori and The Satsuma RebellionSaigo Takamori was a samurai of Satsuma and a famous figure in Japan. He became the Satsuma general, and its undisputed military leader in 1871 after a conspirator assassinated the former military leader. In December 1871 important Meji government officials led a mission sent overseas to revise the unequal treaties placed on Japan. Saigo is quoted to have said " It would be a good thing if the boat carrying the mission members sank to the bottom of the ocean."This shows Saigo's resentment of the new government leadersSaigo represented feudalism and the old military classes. His interest were based on:* Unifying Japan by buying out the local Daimyos. This was an attack on Satsuma's local independence and would bring them under the control of the Meji government.* National unity. This involved the destruction of the Samurais privileges.
There was unexpected resistance from the garrison at Kumamoto (Ku*ma*mo*to) which confined the rebellion to south and this led to its failure because the government was given time to organize its forces. He was forced to place himself as their leader as they attempted to restore the traditional Japan by marching on the Kumamoto (Ku*ma*mo*to), which was outside the providence of Satsuma. In March the Samurai lost their right to bear a swordThis was the Samurais last symbol of superior status. It had become an area in which no official meetings could be made without Saigo's approval and no official policy could be introduced if he opposed it. In 1876, three actions by the government increased the tension in SatsumaI. The rebellion showed that the samurai was no match for the new national army that was trained in western methods and backed by modern communication. The Samurai was becoming far less important in Japan and the number of samurais had reduced dramatically. Satsuma was outside the jurisdiction of the central government in all but name. This is where the rebellion was defeated in September 1877. This action caused Saigo to be declared a rebel by the government. In August the Samurai lost their allowancesRepresented a serious loss of incomeOctober 1876 - a small force of Samurai attacked Kumamoto (Ku*ma*mo*to)January 1877- as a safety measure the government tried to remove stocks of arms and ammunition from Kagoshima (Ka*go*shi*ma) , the Capital of Satsuma. It took over 40,000 men, the whole of the standing army and reserves, and six months to drive Saigo back to Kagoshima (Ka*go*shi*ma). He set up 'private schools', which were aimed at training samurai in military skills and encouraging the Samurai lifestyle.
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