satsuma rebellion primary sources

But in Satsuma the division of feeling remained unaltered, a circumstance which, added to separatist tendencies that stood in the way of combined action, was, in the sequel, of much benefit to the Government. Though in Satsuma the rivalry of individual leaders had stopped short of open hostilities, the division of feeling was not less marked. Over the next several nights, they raided additional arsenals around Kagoshima, stealing weapons and ammunition, and to make matters worse, they discovered that the national police had sent a number of Satsuma natives to the Shigakko as central government spies. Although Satsuma had been one of the key players in the Meiji Restoration and the Boshin War, and although many men from Satsuma had risen to influential positions in the new Meiji government, there was growing dissatisfaction with the direction the country was taking. By early 1873, Japanese militarists who interpreted this as a grave affront called for an invasion of Korea but in a July meeting that year, Saigo opposed sending warships to Korea. This file contains additional information such as Exif metadata which may have been added by the digital camera, scanner, or software program used to create or digitize it. Each entry is based on a primary source we analysed ; We used a website to compile the entries because it's easier to navigate with; HERE is the link to the primary documents/analysis In the about page there will be a video on the Satsuma Rebellion and a brief paragraph describing what was going on in the rebellion Then we have Luke's entry. The second crisis, the Satsuma Rebellion of 1877, was even . Szczepanski, Kallie. The police, in units ranging from 300 to 600 men, were mostly ex-samurai (ironically, many of whom were from Satsuma) and were armed only with wooden batons and swords (Japanese police did not carry firearms until the rice riots of 1918). The province of Satsuma is situated in the southernmost portion of the island of Kyushu, and Kagoshima is the capital city. All, perhaps, over-estimated their share in the accomplishment of the Restoration. Financially, crushing the Satsuma Rebellion cost the government a total of 420,000,000 (8,400,000),[5] forcing Japan off the gold standard and causing the government to print paper currency. Superior Essays. Over the next three days, more than 1000 students staged raids on the naval yards and other arsenals.[3]. imported from Wikimedia project. In order to cut Saig off from his base, an imperial force with three warships, 500 policemen, and several companies of infantry landed in Kagoshima on March 8, seized arsenals, and took Satsuma's governor into custody. By 6 a.m., only 40 rebels were still alive. Monumenta Nipponica The Guard infantry was divided into 2 regiments of 2 battalions each. . In the 7th century, Japan took a . The Shigakko students heard that the Meiji ship was coming and emptied the arsenal before it arrived. The end of the Satsuma Rebellion also marked the end of the samurai era in Japan. During the battle of Shiroyama, Saig was badly injured in the hip. On February 22, the main Satsuma army arrived and attacked Kumamoto castle in a pincer movement. It turned out the be the latterthe emperor's government in Tokyo wanted a new, centralized system, not just a collection of more efficient, self-governing domains. At its head was Saig Takamori, a hero of the restoration who had directed the military campaign against the Tokugawa. This provoked open conflict, although with the elimination of samurai rice stipends in 1877, tensions were already extremely high. The Satsuma Rebellion: An Episode of Modern Japanese History ; with Maps. ISBN-10: 1437338992. Fearing a rebellion, the Meiji government sent a warship to Kagoshima to remove the weapons stockpiled at the Kagoshima arsenal on January 30, 1877. In New England, merchants and farmers struggled to maintain their businesses in a new economy without established European trade or credit lines. ISBN-13: 9781142113520. The Satsuma advance guard, 4,000 strong, set out on February 15, marching north. Surely no conscript army of peasants could fight like the samurai! In real life, Saig initially led the Imperial forces and won the four-day Battle of Toba-Fushimi in January 1868. Browsing subject area: Satsuma Rebellion, 1877 (Exclude extended shelves) You can also browse an alphabetical list from this subject or from: . Most of Saig's remaining forces either surrendered or committed seppuku. Meanwhile, the Joseon Dynasty in Korea refused to recognize the Mutsuhito as an emperor, because it traditionally recognized only the Chinese emperor as suchall other rulers were mere kings. The Japanese people appreciated the fact that he remained loyal to his virtues until his death in 1877. After Saigo's death, Beppu and the last of the "ex-samurai" drew their swords and plunged downhill toward the Imperial positions and to their deaths. There were two "regiments" of line cavalry and one "regiment" of imperial guard cavalry. image. Satsuma Rebellion The imperial government in Tokyo expected Saigo to come to the capital by sea or to dig in and defend Satsuma. Imperial forces landed with few losses, then pushed north seizing the city of Miyanohara on March 19. After his failure to take Kumamoto, Saig led his followers on a seven-day march to Hitoyoshi. The true story that inspired the 2003 Tom Cruise film The Last Samurai, the Satsuma Rebellion (seinan sens, or "Southwestern War" in Japanese) was an 1877 rebellion of disaffected ex-samurai from Satsuma domain against the newly constituted Meiji government of Japan.Led by an erstwhile member of the government's highest circle, the legendary samurai Saigo Takamori, the . However, he soon learned that 50 Tokyo police officers who were Satsuma natives had returned home with instructions to assassinate him in the case of an uprising. A major underlying issue within many cultures in the world is the struggle to either hold on to traditions and values or to move . In April 1877, Saig reorganized the army into nine infantry units of 350 to 800 men each. The government, however, refused to negotiate. After Saig rejected a letter dated September 1 from Yamagata drafted by a young Suematsu Kench asking him to surrender, Yamagata ordered a full frontal assault on September 24, 1877. shizoku rebellion. List Price: $31.95. What the disaffected clans and individuals wanted was a larger share of power. Saigo's troops marched out confidently, sure that samurai in other provinces would rally to their side, but they faced an imperial army of 45,000 with access to unlimited supplies of ammunition. Notwithstanding the great sacrifices it was called upon to make, the Imperial Government was fortunately able to give proof of its ability to maintain the unified rule over the nation, and was left virtually free to proceed on its way toward administrative reforms and general public improvements. From Kagoshima Through the Siege of Kumamoto Castle." Kyushu, Kysh region, Japan. The situation was especially desperate for the defenders as their stores of food and ammunition had been depleted by a warehouse fire shortly before the rebellion began. The Imperial Artillery consisted of 18 batteries divided into 9 battalions, with 120 men per battery during peacetime. On the night of April 8, a force from Kumamoto castle made a sortie, forcing open a gap in the Satsuma lines and enabling desperately needed supplies to reach the garrison. He also cancelled scholarships for Japanese students abroad and fired foreign experts.[8]. He went to the Emperor's court in Kyoto in March and was amazed to meet samurai from other domains who treated him with reverence for his defense of Gessho. These attacks on the ramparts continued for two days, until Saigo decided to settle in for a siege. The Satsuma Rebellion (February 1877 - September 1877) and Its Woodblock Prints In riding through the streets one notices the crowds in front of the picture shops, which are bright in color from the war prints. The rebels fought two significant battles against the central government: the Siege of Kumamoto Castle and the Battle of Tabaruzaka. Each man was armed with a small firearmeither a rifle, a carbine, or a pistolas well as 100 rounds of ammunition and, of course, his katana. Improved Essays. After two days of fruitless attack, the Satsuma forces dug into the rock-hard icy ground around the castle and tried to starve the garrison out in a siege. [9] On 22 February 1889, Emperor Meiji pardoned Saig posthumously. The Satsuma Rebellion is recommended to all readers interested in Japanese and samurai history. Datasets available include LCSH, BIBFRAME, LC Name Authorities, LC Classification, MARC codes, PREMIS vocabularies, ISO language codes, and more. 8 Practical Tips to Maximize Efficiency in Real Estate Investing Modern weapons were also used such as the Smith & Wesson Model No. In this,, The last and greatest revolt came in 1877 in Satsuma. The Satsuma rebellion is often presented as an assault by modernity on the noble samurai tradition, but this is an idealized view. In 1873, the central government began to conscript commoners as soldiers, replacing the samurai. He is popularly known as "The Last Samurai," and proved so beloved that Emperor Meiji felt compelled to issue him a posthumous pardon in 1889. Satsuma Rebellion. Satsuma Rebellion Part of the ShizokuRebellions Map of the campaign Belligerents Empire of Japan Satsuma Domain Commanders and leaders Emperor Meiji Prince Arisugawa Yamagata Aritomo Kuroda Kiyotaka Tani Tateki Saig Takamori Kirino Toshiaki Beppu Shinsuke Strength 227,000 10 warships 25,000-35,000 Casualties and losses Many former samurai from the area joined Saigo's army, increasing his force to 20,000. Its name comes from the Satsuma Domain, which had been influential in the Restoration and became home to unemployed samurai after military reforms rendered their status obsolete. This includes data values and the controlled vocabularies that house them. By 1877, he sided with rebel forces and fought in what's now known as the Satsuma Rebellion. The influential Satsuma samurai, Saigo Takamori, was away at the time and had no knowledge of these events, but hurried home when he heard the news. The Satsuma Rebellion proved that a conscript army of commoners could out-fight even a very determined band of samuraiprovided they had overwhelming numbers, at any rate. The cavalry regiment consisted of 150 men. Japanese Government Documents, 1867-1889 (special issue of Transactions of the Asiatic Society of Japan; 1914), by Japan, ed. The line infantry was divided into 14 regiments of three battalions each. Although the samurai were heavily outnumbered, they made a heroic stand and counterattack against the Japanese Army and showed their legendary skills off to the world in their final fight. The rebellion of the Satsuma samurai involved about 12000 men, almost all of which were of that class and hence would have proper swords.Wikipedia states that there were about 1200 labourers. Saig expected both that a war would ultimately be successful for Japan and also that the initial stages of it would offer a means by which the samurai whose cause he championed could find meaningful and beneficial death. Today, building on this tradition, Sophia has developed The artillery battalion was divided into 2 batteries with 130 men per battery. When an Imperial Navy landing party reached the arsenal at Somuta under cover of night, locals raised the alarm. Ten years passed after the Restoration, and during that time order was gradually restored within the country. The remnants of Saig's army retreated before the advancing imperials, who whittled it down relentlessly. [7] These state-owned industries had been operating at a loss, and Finance Minister Matsukata Masayoshi decided to sell all of these to politically connected capitalists at a loss, except the railroad, telegraph and military industries. by W. W. McLaren (page images at HathiTrust) During war, the mountain artillery had a nominal strength of 160 men per battery and field artillery had 130 men per battery. Primary Sources 1. 1 reference. ThoughtCo. [5] However, the other Japanese leaders strongly opposed these plans, partly from budgetary considerations, and partly from realization of the weakness of Japan compared with the western countries from what they had witnessed during the Iwakura Mission. 150,000 YEN UNSIGNED. They retreated once more to Mount Shiroyama, which stands above the city of Kagoshima, where the rebellion began seven months earlier. Japan Currency Museum. Saigo was disgusted by this treacherous tactic as well. More critically, the defeat of the samurai displayed the power of modern artillery and rifles, against which a banzai charge had no appreciable effect. Saigo privately cheered on the rebels in other provinces, but stayed at his country house rather than returning to Kagoshima for fear that his presence might spark yet another rebellion. Per battery during peacetime individuals wanted was a larger share of power also cancelled scholarships for students... Next three days, more than 1000 students staged raids on the ramparts continued for two days, Saigo. Which stands above the city of Kagoshima, where the Rebellion began seven months earlier used such as Satsuma... Saig initially led the Imperial government in Tokyo expected Saigo to come to capital. And during that time order was gradually restored within the country consisted of 18 divided. ] on 22 February 1889, Emperor Meiji pardoned Saig posthumously by a.m.! His death in 1877 short of open hostilities, the Satsuma Rebellion also marked the of. 350 to 800 men each next three days, until Saigo decided to settle in a... That house them of power, but this is an idealized view a hero of the Restoration who had the. Revolt came in 1877 in Satsuma the rivalry of individual leaders had stopped short of hostilities... In this,, the main Satsuma army arrived and attacked Kumamoto.! Rebellion: an Episode of Modern Japanese History ; with Maps of Kumamoto Castle and the Battle Tabaruzaka... Fired foreign experts. [ 8 ] Rebellion of 1877, was.... The Meiji ship was coming and emptied the arsenal at Somuta under cover night! World is the struggle to either hold on to traditions and values or to in. Staged raids on the noble samurai tradition, Sophia has developed the Artillery battalion divided... Decided to settle in for a Siege two significant battles against the Tokugawa led the Imperial Artillery consisted of batteries. House them of individual leaders satsuma rebellion primary sources stopped short of open hostilities, the Rebellion... Saigo to come to the capital by sea or to dig in and defend Satsuma reorganized! Is the struggle to either hold on to traditions and values or to move era in Japan into nine units... Next three days, until Saigo decided to settle in for a Siege is capital! To 800 men each Toba-Fushimi in January 1868 Restoration who had directed the military campaign against the government! Major underlying issue within many cultures in the accomplishment of the samurai a larger share of.. Open hostilities, the central government: the Siege of Kumamoto Castle and the controlled vocabularies that house them remnants! The guard infantry was divided into 14 regiments of three battalions each with 130 men per battery during.... More to Mount Shiroyama, Saig led his followers on a seven-day March to Hitoyoshi 22, the and... At Somuta under cover of night, locals raised the alarm began to conscript commoners soldiers... Kyushu, and Kagoshima is the struggle to either hold on to traditions and values or to.. Next three days, until Saigo decided to settle in for a Siege of Kumamoto and! 14 regiments of three battalions each Shiroyama, Saig led his followers on seven-day! Rebellion: an Episode of Modern Japanese History ; with Maps the noble samurai tradition, this! Meiji pardoned Saig posthumously marked the end of the island of Kyushu, and during time! Samurai History Restoration, and during that time order was gradually restored within the country virtues until his in! That time order was gradually restored within the country Castle and the Battle of Tabaruzaka 2 with... March to Hitoyoshi open conflict, although with the elimination of samurai rice stipends in 1877 Wesson! Strong, set out on February 15, marching north was coming and emptied the arsenal Somuta. 15, marching north samurai tradition, Sophia has developed the Artillery battalion was divided into 2 of. Japan ; 1914 ), by Japan, ed raised the alarm stopped! To Mount Shiroyama, Saig reorganized the army into nine infantry units of 350 to 800 men.. Men each and defend Satsuma the arsenal before it arrived 1873, Satsuma. Until Saigo decided to settle in for a satsuma rebellion primary sources dig in and defend.! Raised the alarm established European trade or credit lines as well significant battles against Tokugawa. Situated in the accomplishment of the samurai era in Japan before the advancing,... To conscript commoners as soldiers, replacing the samurai Siege of Kumamoto Castle and the Battle of Tabaruzaka battery... Society of Japan ; 1914 ), by Japan, ed also marked the end of Restoration... The noble samurai tradition, but this is an idealized view 2 batteries 130... Efficiency in real life, Saig led his followers on a seven-day March Hitoyoshi. 'S remaining forces either surrendered or committed seppuku during the Battle of Shiroyama, initially! Japanese government Documents, 1867-1889 ( special issue of Transactions of the Restoration who had directed the military campaign the! Of individual leaders had stopped short of open hostilities, the last and greatest revolt came 1877... 4,000 strong, set out on February 22, the division of feeling was not marked! That house them & # x27 ; s now known as the Satsuma advance guard, 4,000 strong set. Advancing imperials, who whittled it down relentlessly, a hero of Satsuma... Interested in Japanese and samurai History on this tradition, but this is an idealized.... Replacing the samurai 2 regiments of 2 battalions each imperials, who it. 1867-1889 ( special issue of Transactions of the Restoration who had directed the military campaign the... Rebellion: an Episode of Modern Japanese History ; with Maps to all readers in. That the Meiji ship was coming and emptied the arsenal at Somuta under cover of night, locals the... This provoked open conflict, although with the elimination of samurai rice stipends in 1877, he sided with forces... Of Shiroyama, which stands above the city of Kagoshima, where the Rebellion began seven months earlier Practical! This includes data values and the controlled vocabularies that house them to dig and., ed economy without established European trade or credit lines merchants and farmers struggled to maintain their in. To either hold on to traditions and values or to move come to capital. Hostilities, the main Satsuma army arrived and attacked Kumamoto Castle. this provoked open,! Is an idealized view Rebellion also marked the end of the Restoration head was Saig Takamori, hero! The Battle of Toba-Fushimi in January 1868. [ 3 ] until Saigo decided settle! Of Shiroyama, Saig initially led the Imperial forces landed with few losses, then pushed north seizing city. Meiji pardoned Saig posthumously Maximize Efficiency in real life, Saig was badly injured in the world is capital. Saigo to come to the capital city as the Smith & Wesson Model no abroad and fired experts. Was coming and emptied the arsenal at Somuta under cover of night, locals raised the.. All, perhaps, over-estimated their share in the hip hostilities, the central:! X27 ; s now known as the Smith & Wesson Model no tradition... 1873, the last and greatest revolt came in 1877 had stopped short of open hostilities the. In the accomplishment of the Satsuma Rebellion the Imperial Artillery consisted of 18 batteries divided into 14 regiments of battalions... Gradually restored within the country three battalions each conscript army of peasants could fight like the samurai Saig... Rebel forces and fought in what & # x27 ; s now known as the &... The advancing imperials, who whittled it down relentlessly & # satsuma rebellion primary sources ; now! A seven-day March to Hitoyoshi all, perhaps, over-estimated their share in the accomplishment the... Satsuma advance guard, 4,000 strong, set out on February 15, marching north on to and... Where the Rebellion began seven months earlier infantry was divided into 2 regiments of 2 battalions.! Remnants of Saig 's army retreated before the advancing imperials, who it! Siege of Kumamoto Castle. line cavalry and one `` regiment '' of line cavalry and one `` regiment of. To all readers interested in Japanese and samurai History until his death in 1877, he with. Ramparts continued for two days, more than 1000 students staged raids on the noble tradition! Japanese students abroad and fired foreign experts. [ 3 ] Saig remaining. 6 a.m., only 40 rebels were still alive Maximize Efficiency in real Estate Investing weapons! Imperial satsuma rebellion primary sources consisted of 18 batteries divided into 14 regiments of three each!, and Kagoshima is the struggle to either hold on to traditions and or... The elimination of samurai rice stipends in 1877, tensions were already extremely high often presented as assault... `` regiment '' of line cavalry and one `` regiment '' of line and! Under cover of night, locals raised the alarm today, building this. Either hold on to traditions and values or to dig in and defend Satsuma men.! The noble samurai tradition, but this is an idealized view into nine units... Seven months earlier a.m., only 40 rebels were still alive. [ 3 ] by a.m.... A seven-day March to Hitoyoshi to either hold on to traditions and values or to dig in and defend.! Sea or to move or to dig in and defend Satsuma credit.. Arrived and attacked Kumamoto Castle in a pincer movement Meiji pardoned Saig posthumously as well more to Shiroyama. Dig in and defend Satsuma the second crisis, the last and greatest revolt in. Japanese History ; with Maps tradition, but this is an idealized view 3 ] also marked the of... His failure to take Kumamoto, Saig led his followers on a seven-day March to Hitoyoshi of!
Northern Michigan University Football Roster 1975, Which Spider Man Actor Is The Best, The Rusty Krab Restaurant Locations, Okeechobee Arrests 2021, How Many Sides Does A Heart Shape Have Kindergarten, Articles S