Saigō Takamori

Saigō Takamori (born Jan. 23, 1828, Kagoshima, Kyushu, Japan—died Sept. 24, 1877, Kagoshima) was a leader in the overthrow of the Tokugawa shogunate who later rebelled against the weaknesses he saw in the Imperial government that he had helped to restore. Although his participation in the restoration made him a legendary hero, it also, to his mortification, relegated his samurai class to impotence.

Early life

Saigō was born in 1828 at Kagoshima. His family were samurai of a low but honourable rank whose traditional responsibility was that of serving in the feudal lord’s bodyguard.

From boyhood Saigō was distinguished by his unusual size and physique; as an adult he was almost six feet tall, weighing some 200 pounds. A giant among his contemporaries, he appeared frightening at first glance, with his large, piercing eyes and bushy eyebrows, but he was friendly and unassuming in manner. Possessing all the samurai virtues—bravery, generosity, and excellent swordsmanship—he attracted friends and followers in great numbers. He was impatient with details, making decisions quickly and preferring action over argument; his natural disposition was probably reinforced by his education, which included training in Zen Buddhism and the Neo-Confucianism of the Chinese philosopher Wang Yang-ming, who espoused sincere convictions and forthright action. Saigō’s personal motto was Kei-ten; ai-jin (“Revere Heaven; love man”).

Role in the Meiji Restoration

Before reaching the age of 40, Saigō had achieved prominence as commander of the forces of Satsuma han (fief) stationed in Kyōto, the Imperial capital. One of the inner group of decision makers in his own han, he also had wide contacts among the Imperial loyalist element throughout the country that was soon to overthrow the shogunate government. He was experienced in the complicated internal diplomacy of the time, having arranged the surrender of the fief of Chōshū to the authority of the shogunate in 1864–65, and was one of the small group who negotiated the secret alliance of Satsuma and Chōshū in 1866. He also worked secretly to force the shogun’s resignation, which occurred Nov. 8, 1867.

But the events that made Saigō a national hero began immediately after this, when the loyalists, dissatisfied with the administrative stalemate resulting from the shogun’s resignation, plotted the coup d’état that was to become known as the Meiji Restoration. Before dawn on Jan. 3, 1868, troops under Saigō’s command seized control of the palace gates. A council of notables was summoned to which the young emperor read the Imperial rescript that was to inaugurate a new era for Japan.

A brief war ensued between the shogunate and troops, now called the Imperial army, supplied mainly by the fiefs of Satsuma and Chōshū. Saigō as chief of staff successfully arranged for the surrender of Edo (the shogunal administrative centre; modern Tokyo) in May; he then directed a campaign against supporters of the shogunate in the north that lasted until November 1868.

Saigō had completed the task as he saw it: that of ensuring the supremacy of the Imperial court over the nation. Then, instead of participating in the difficult problems of organizing a new administration or even merely basking in the adoration of his countrymen, Saigō entered into retirement in Satsuma. In 1869, when the emperor awarded honours to those who had brought about the restoration, Saigō’s were the highest granted; but he still refused to take part in the new government.

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In 1871 Saigō was at last persuaded to join the government and was given command of the newly created Imperial Guard, consisting of some 10,000 troops. With a reliable military force under their control for the first time, the leaders of the restoration were able to take a vital step, which they considered the most daring taken so far: the abolition of the han and their replacement by prefectures. To further strengthen the government at this juncture, Saigō was appointed to the Council of State (Dajōkan) and assumed joint responsibility (with Kido Takayoshi) for carrying out the new program. The change went smoothly and was followed by the disbandment of all han troops. Thus, by the end of 1871, the government had eliminated all potential military opposition, and, in the summer of 1872, Saigō was promoted to the new rank of full general.

During this period, however, serious differences were developing over the question of introducing conscription. Some members of the government, influenced by a study of European army organization, insisted that universal military training was a necessity. Others felt that it was unwise to deprive the samurai class of their ancient monopoly on warfare. While the debate raged, Saigō, the leading military figure in the nation, declined to commit himself publicly. It is known that he privately supported the plan, and there is general agreement that without his encouragement, conscription probably would not have been adopted by the government. The question remains, however, as to why he could not bring himself to support it openly. Saigō’s inability to take a stand on conscription was perhaps an indication of a deeper malaise: fearful that Japan was losing the samurai spirit, he was beginning to regret his part in having started an apparently irreversible process. During the summer of 1873, these emotions boiled over in connection with the problem of Korea.

This “Hermit Kingdom” had refused to recognize the Meiji government, and it rebuffed three successive missions from Japan. Like many others, Saigō felt Korea’s attitude was insulting and that Korea deserved chastisement. From his particular viewpoint, a war would also have the advantage of reinvigorating the samurai, many of whom were sulking or rebellious over the trend toward modernization that had set in with the restoration but who felt especially aggrieved by the conscription act.

In order to realize these objectives, Saigō argued in the Council of State for a unique plan: he would go to Korea as a special envoy, ostensibly to settle outstanding issues. While there he would contrive to behave in such a way as to provoke his own murder, thus affording Japan unquestionable justification for a declaration of war. Saigō replied to all objections that offering up his life for his country was his dearest desire. After continued entreaties, he succeeded in having his proposal approved by the emperor on August 18, shortly before government leaders returned from a lengthy foreign trip. Appalled at the decision, these men argued the priority of internal development over foreign adventure and were eventually able to have the plan canceled.

Furious at this reversal, Saigō resigned as state councillor and commander of the Imperial Guard and returned once more to his old home; several other high-ranking officials tendered their resignations also, while at a lower level, more than 100 officers of the Imperial Guard shared Saigō’s retirement. Thus, his intransigence had irreparably split the leadership of the nation. That Saigō felt impelled to take such a drastic step indicates the depth of his feeling.

A few months after returning to Kagoshima, Saigō opened his own private school, with emphasis on military science and physical training. Disaffected former samurai from all parts of Japan flocked to study under him. It was estimated that by 1877 the students numbered about 20,000. To Saigō, this was a simple private school that trained young men for public service. To the government in Tokyo, however, it was a cause for concern: the administration of the prefecture from the governor down was in the hands of Saigō’s supporters, and graduates of his school were being preferred for new appointments. With samurai rebellions occurring in other parts of the country during 1876, there was real fear that Kagoshima might become the centre of a serious insurrection. In an attempt to assert authority, the government took some ill-advised steps that only inflamed the already tense atmosphere, and on Jan. 29, 1877, a group of Saigō’s disciples attacked the Kagoshima arsenal and navy yard.