Saigo Takamori

TYPE

Woodblock print

HISTORICAL PERIOD(S)

Meiji era, ca. 1877

MEDIUM

Woodblock print; ink and color on paper

DIMENSION(S)

H x W (image): 24.8 x 17.9 cm (9 3/4 x 7 1/16 in)

GEOGRAPHY

Japan

CREDIT LINE

Gift--the Elizabeth D. Woodbury collection of prints from Meiji Japan

COLLECTION

Arthur M. Sackler Gallery

ACCESSION NUMBER

S1999.24

LABEL

This half-size (chuban) print portrays Saigo Takamori (1827-77), a samurai from the Satsuma domain and an imperial loyalist who participated in the final battles that ended the Tokugawa shogunate. He later became a prominent leader in the government after the Meiji restoration, but he opposed a decision not to take military action against Korea, and he returned to his home in Kagoshima Prefecture to lead a group of dissident samurai against the Meiji government. This campaign, which ultimately failed and ended with Saigo's suicide in 1877, was known as the Satsuma Rebellion.Here Saigo is shown wearing a Western-style military uniform and seated on a stool, holding a signal flag. The silhouette of a castle is visible in the background. Saigo's figure stands out against the black background, which indicates that this is a night scene and sets it apart from other examples from this series.

PROVENANCE

FORMER OWNER

Elizabeth D. Woodbury

ON VIEW LOCATION

Currently not on view

CLASSIFICATION(S)

Print

KEYWORD(S)

Elizabeth D. Woodbury collection, Japan, Meiji era (1868 - 1912), night, portrait, samurai, Satsuma Rebellion, WWII-era provenance

COLLECTION(S) AREA

Chinese Art

WEB RESOURCE(S)

Google Cultural Institute