'Saigo Takamori With His Dog' by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, ca. 1888. From the series 'Personalities of Recent Times'. This image is also available on:
Saigo Takamori was one of the most influential people of the Meiji Era (the period of Japan's modernization in the mid-19th century, after 250 years of almost no foreign contact). Having led Imperial Forces in the Boshin War, which defeated the Shogunate and allowed the establishment of a modern constitutional monarchy, Takamori became an important member of the government. However, he became discontent with the ever increasing pace of change, and after several disagreements with his colleagues he resigned and returned to his home town of Kagoshima in 1873.
This portrait depicts a middle-aged Takamori in the mid 1870s, living with his dog in semi-retirement in Kagoshima in Satsuma Province. However, a peaceful retirement was not to be his fate. Although he had given up on politics, Takamori had established a series of military schools to preserve samurai traditions and house those who, like him, had become disaffected with the government and self-exiled themselves from Tokyo. The government saw these as a source of potential rebellion, and in 1877 sent ships to seize the arsenal at Kagoshima. This triggered the very rebellion they'd feared. Although at first reluctant to fight against his former allies and a government army he'd helped create, Takamori was eventually persuaded to lend his moral weight and strategic ability to the samurai's cause. After six months of fighting, the hopelessly outnumbered and outgunned Takamori was finally cornered at the Battle of Shiroyama with his last 500 men, facing a government army of 30,000. He died when the government troops stormed the redoubts: fighting hand-to-hand, sword against gun, he took a bullet in his hip and began to bleed out. To preserve his honor and prevent capture he was decapitated by one of his retainers. The failure of the Satsuma Rebellion effectively ended the samurai class.
After his death, his commitment to samurai values led to him becoming something of a folk hero. His honor was held in such high regard that the Meiji government was forced to posthumously pardon him in 1889, the year after this portrait was made. Saigo Takamori is regarded by many as the last true samurai ; indeed, the Satsuma Rebellion was the inspiration for the 2003 film 'The Last Samurai', starring Tom Cruise, with Ken Watanabe playing the character based on Takamori.
FREE SHIPPING
Reproduction print available on canvas, poster, framed poster, poster with hanger, or metal. See below for product-specific details.
Canvas:
- Wood frame, sustainably sourced (FSC certified materials).
- 2-3 cm (0.8-1.2") thick frame
- Shipped in protective packaging and strong boxes to ensure no damage during transportation.
- Mounting kit included
- Average Delivery Time: 5 - 7 business days
Poster:
- Museum-quality, long-lasting matte (uncoated) archival paper
- Paper-weight: 250 gsm / 110 lb
- Shipped in sturdy packaging protecting the poster
- Average Delivery Time: 2 - 3 business days
Framed Poster:
- Museum-quality paper with black, white or dark wood frame.
- 200 gsm / 80 lb matte (uncoated) paper
- Lightweight 1-2 cm (0.4-0.8") thick frame
- Shatterproof, transparent plexiglass.
- Includes hanging kit, to hang in both portrait and landscape orientations.
- For indoor use
- Frame and poster are delivered together. The poster needs to be mounted by the end-recipient.
- Average Delivery Time: 4 - 6 business days
Poster with hanger:
- Available in black, white, or dark wood
- Magnetic design holds your poster without damaging it.
- 170 gsm / 65 lb matte (uncoated) paper
- Premium leather cord matches the hanger color.
- The hanger and poster are delivered together. The poster needs to be mounted by the end-recipient.
- Average Delivery Time: 4 - 6 business days
Metallic Print
- Aluminum dibond 3mm with a white coating
- Printed directly onto the aluminum in top grade inks
- Good tonal gradation ensures accurate reproduction
- Matte and glare-free
- Includes a hanging kit
- Average Delivery Time: 5 - 7 business days