Meiji Restoration: The Opening of Japan

Sunset of the Samurai

 

The Sunset of the Samurai is seen as a failure to many because it represented the end of a way of culture. The samurai had been part of Japanese culture for centuries, and they embodied bravery, honor, and loyalty to one's country. Although ending the samurai class was necessary for successful modernization, it was a failure for the nation's culture. 

 Satsuma Rebellion

Picture
Siago Takamori
  • The Satsuma Samurai were furious at the abolition of their class privileges and their impoverishment by the Meiji governments financial reforms. 
  • The government was worried about a rebellion and sent forces to remove weapons in Satsuma. 
  • This provoked an uprising in 1877 led by Siago Takamori. 

 

Picture
Japanese rebellion quelling Samurai revolt
  •  Large government forces defeated the rebels in Satsuma. 
  • This was the end of the samurai class in Japan. 
  • It took 6 months to quell rebellion. 
  • The government used 65,000 men and suffered 6,000 deaths and 10,000 casualties. 18,000 samurai were killed or wounded.
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