'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.
Product Details:
Classic unisex pullover hoodie with pouch, printed on front, available in five different colors.
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Average Delivery Time: 4 - 5 working days
Available colors: black, white, gray, blue, navy blue
- Air jet yarn gives softer feel and reduced pilling
- Double-lined hood with color-matched drawcord
- Tear away label
- Double-needle stitching at shoulder, armhole, neck, waistband and cuffs
- Pouch pocket
- 1 x 1 rib with spandex
- Quarter-turned to eliminate centre crease
Size guide
| S | M | L | XL | 2XL | 3XL | |
| Length (inches) | 27.17 | 27.95 | 29.13 | 29.92 | 31.10 | 31.89 |
| B) Half Chest (inches) | 20.08 | 22.05 | 24.02 | 25.98 | 27.95 | 29.92 |
| Sleeve Length (inches) | 33.50 | 34.50 | 35.50 | 36.50 | 37.50 | 38.50 |
| S | M | L | XL | 2XL | 3XL | |
| Length (cm) | 69.00 | 71.00 | 74.00 | 76.00 | 79.00 | 81.00 |
| B) Half Chest (cm) | 51.00 | 56.00 | 61.00 | 66.00 | 71.00 | 76.00 |
| Sleeve Length (cm) | 85.09 | 87.63 | 90.17 | 92.71 | 95.25 | 97.80 |
Care instructions
| Wash | Machine, warm, inside out, like colors |
| Tumble Dry | Low |
| Bleach | Only non-chlorine |
| Dry Clean | Do not dry clean |
| Iron | Do not iron |