The Satsuma Rebellion - Known in Japanese as the Seinan Senso or Southwestern War, the Satsuma Rebellion took place in 1877 between disaffected former samurai and Meiji Imperial forces. With the fall of the Tokugawa Shogunate and the Meiji restoration of the Emperor in 1867, the samurai class was abolished, leaving this once ruling class unemployed and impoverished. Led by former Imperial Army General Saigo Takamori, samurai from the Satsuma domain in Kagoshima rebelled against the government, leading to a series of battles that ultimately ended in the defeat of the rebels at the Battle of Shiroyama, with Saigo committing seppuku or ritual suicide. Woodblock prints of the conflict were popular, providing accounts of the latest battles to a public eager for news.

Comments - Interesting scene of Meiji Imperial Army troops massing atop a hill above the sea after triumphing during the Southwest War (Satsuma Rebellion), with a general on horseback in the center holding his sword upright. At left, another commander on horseback lifts his weapon high as he directs his men, a bugler at his side sounding the charge. Rows of soldiers line up behind the officers on horseback, with soldiers at left dressed in red jackets and blue pants, and troops in purple jackets, red pants, and caps topped with red feathers at right. In the distance, flags flutter from warship in the harbor, while the peak of Mt. Fuji rises at right and lucky cranes fly through the sky. A handsome design, detailed with burnishing on the black jacket and boots of the officer in the center.

Artist - Chikanobu (1838 - 1912)

Image Size - 13 7/8" x 28" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with nice color and detail as shown. Three separate panels. Holes, thinning, repaired. Vertical folds, wrinkling throughout, staining. Please note, due to the size, this print may be shipped rolled. Please see photos for details.