西郷銅像

About this photo

This photograph shows the bronze statue of Saigo Takamori in Ueno Park, Taito Ward, Tokyo. It appears in Saishin Tokyo Meisho Shashincho (New Photo Album of Famous Places in Tokyo), published in 1909 (Meiji 42). Judging from the book's date, it is thought to show the statue a little over ten years after it was made.

In 1889 (Meiji 22), Saigo, who had died leading the Satsuma Rebellion of 1877, was pardoned in the general amnesty issued when the Constitution of the Empire of Japan was proclaimed. This prompted Yoshii Tomozane and others from Satsuma to call for a statue. It was made with a gift of money from the Imperial Household Ministry and donations from more than 25,000 people across the country, and it was unveiled on December 18, 1898. The statue was made by Takamura Koun, and the dog by Goto Sadayuki.

Saigo's wife, Ito, was invited to the unveiling. When she saw the statue, which shows Saigo in everyday kimono walking his dog, she is said to have murmured in the Satsuma dialect something meaning "My husband was not a man like this," and to have been hushed by Saigo's younger brother Tsugumichi, who was standing beside her.

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