Original Yoshitaki (1841 - 1899) Japanese Woodblock Print
Saigo Takamori

The Satsuma Rebellion - Known in Japanese as the Seinan Senso or Southwestern War, the Satsuma Rebellion took place in 1877 between disaffected former samurai and Meiji Imperial forces. With the fall of the Tokugawa Shogunate and the Meiji restoration of the Emperor in 1867, the samurai class was abolished, leaving this once ruling class unemployed and impoverished. Led by former Imperial Army General Saigo Takamori, samurai from the Satsuma domain in Kagoshima rebelled against the government, leading to a series of battles that ultimately ended in the defeat of the rebels at the Battle of Shiroyama, with Saigo committing seppuku or ritual suicide. Woodblock prints of the conflict were popular, providing accounts of the latest battles to a public eager for news.

Comments - Great portrait of Saigo Takamori, the leader of the rebel samurai during the Satsuma Rebellion. He sits on a wooden chair, wearing a red military jacket over white pants tucked into black leather boots, a flag in one hand. The silhouettes of castle towers can be seen against the night sky above. An unusual subject for an Osaka artist, who most commonly depicted kabuki actors and scenes.

Artist - Yoshitaki (1841 - 1899)
Image Size - 9 3/4" x 7" + margins as shown
Condition - This print with excellent detail as shown. Small hole and thinning spot in margin, a couple tiny holes, repaired. Slight toning and soiling, a few creases and stains. Please see photos for details.