Summary of The Last Samurai

The Last Samurai summary

Captain Algren, a former Civil War hero, left the military because he was unable to stand the senselessness of war and the guilt he felt. Since then, he has lived a life of self-destruction, but Omura, a Japanese businessman and minister, was the one to offer Algren assistance.

Meiji Japan was rapidly modernizing and aimed to develop into a powerful, affluent nation. The Japanese government selected Algren for this endeavor and engaged him as a military teacher. Algren traveled to Japan, mesmerized by the vast sums of money, where he encountered a group of angry samurai who were opposed to the government. They are vanquished by Algren’s poorly equipped force, but the outcome is a humiliating loss. Algren took up weapons when he was surrounded by samurai and put up a heroic fight, but he was eventually caught by their captain, Katsumoto.

Algren enjoys a tranquil life in a samurai village while wounded and in Taka Katsumoto’s care. When he discovers that the samurai he killed was Taka’s husband, he genuinely wanders away from her and forgives her. He is gradually opening his heart to the honorable and proud way of life of the samurai. He was sincere in his repentance when he realized that the samurai he had slain was Taka’s husband, and she forgave him.

However, Omura, planning to disrupt the peaceful daily life of the samurai, infiltrated ninja and launched an attack on one of the village festivals. Algren, Katsumoto and the others fought in unison and succeeded in defeating the ninjas. This triggered Algren to finally decide to become an ally of the Samurais.

After receiving a call from the government in the spring, Katsumoto and his team left with Algren for Tokyo. Katsumoto was obliged to put his sword away because the government had passed a law banning carrying a sword. The Meiji Emperor is asked to decide by the bewildered Katsumoto, but he is unable to and turns away. In the end, Katsumoto was put under house arrest because he was unable to put his sword away.

Omura, on the other hand, approached Algren to take over as the leader of the Samurai strike, but Algren was unable to do so at the time. Algren turned down the offer and made the decision to go back home. Omura, however, once more sent assassins after Algren. Omura, however, sent assassins to kill Katsumoto once more. Algren was able to flee with the aid of the locals and made it back to his village without incident, but Nobutada, Katsumoto’s son, remained as a lord and perished in a bloody struggle. Now that this has occurred, the government troops will undoubtedly lost. Algren makes a firm commitment to fight all the way to the end.

The conflict with the new government forces soon started. The outnumbered rebels battled valiantly and bravely, but they were losing their allies. When Algren finally dispatched the terminally wounded Katsumoto, he said, “Everything is perfect,” as he gazed back at the cherry blossoms that were blooming behind him. Algren was left alone as the rebel army was routed and ultimately destroyed.

However, the Samurai warriors’ spirit inspired the soldiers of the government army to the point where they knelt to their knees and bowed their heads. They fell on the ground and bowed their heads in homage to their valiant loss.

The solitary survivor, Algren, was given a meeting with Emperor Meiji and gave him the sword Katsumoto had abandoned. The Emperor was inspired by Katsumoto’s manner of life and made the decision to advance the nation. Instead of going back to the United States, he went back to the community where he had discovered his spiritual home.

The cast of The Last Samurai

Nathan Algren: Tom Cruise

He is the film’s protagonist and a former captain in the U.S. Army who moved to Japan. Despite receiving the Medal of Honor during the Civil War’s Battle of Gettysburg, his involvement in the massacre of an Indian village scarred him. Due to this tragedy, he developed an alcohol addiction and ultimately lost his job. He was then made aware of a position providing military instruction in Japan.

He sent his poorly-trained soldiers into battle with the samurai, where they were routed and Algren was captured. He made the decision to support the samurai, who were meant to be his adversaries, and dove headfirst into the fray as if he had taken up arms as one.

Moritsugu Katsumoto: Watanabe Ken

He is the chief of the Samurai Samurai who are in charge of the rebel forces. They are in uprising against the quickening pace of the times and the policies of the Omura government. He is, however, merely in rebellion against Omura’s ways and his regime, not the emperor. Algren battled fiercely despite his injuries when they first met, and he felt a weird bond with him that led him to bring him back to his town. After gradually getting to know Algren, Katsumoto makes the commitment to live out his days as a samurai. 

Shio: Sanada Hiroyuki

The subordinate Katsumoto trusts the most. He attacks Algren with a wooden sword since he is hostile to him and doesn’t seem to have any faith in the outsider. However, he eventually warms up to Algren by going to sword practice with him, and when Algren gains Katsumoto’s level of assurance and proficiency, they start to recognize one another. He was shot by a Gatling gun during the final combat, yet he fought bravely all the way through.

Taka: Koyuki

She cares for the hurt Algren and is Katsumoto’s sister. But because Algren killed her husband, she asks her brother repeatedly to expel him out of the house. Algren later apologizes to her for killing her husband and she ultimately pardons him because he can now speak Japanese. Algren receives a hug from Taka just before the decisive fight, encouraging him to don the red armor her late husband wore. She asks God to keep him safe.

Nobutada: Koyamada Shin

He is the village’s leader and Katsumoto’s son. He speaks English for some reason, so he can teach Algren how to use a sword. In order to flee from Tokyo and avoid being pursued, Katsumoto changed into a nobleman. Despite being shot and severely injured, he charged the enemy with all of his remaining might. He died in battle in a stunning way.

Matsue Omura: Harada Masato

His background included business and politics in Japan. He started to build up the army to put down the rebellious samurai while also bringing numerous foreigners to Japan to further modernity. Algren was hesitant to engage in combat because of his lack of training when Katsumoto assaulted the railroad, but he insisted with force that he do so. The unit was obliterated as a result. He sent assassins and ninjas after that, but they all failed. Emperor Meiji censured and degraded him despite the fact that he had won the decisive conflict.

Emperor Meiji: Nakamura Shichinosuke II

Katsumoto owes loyalty to this person. Katsumoto is also revered by Emperor Meiji, who even addresses him as “sensei” (teacher). He is, however, portrayed as a timid guy unable to oppose Omura and the rest of the government’s stern position. But when Algren tells him about Katsumoto’s last moments, he makes a promise to improve the nation. 

Simon Graham: Timothy Spall

He serves as Algren’s translator. He initially arrived in Japan on a British trade trip, but when he broke into the mansion to free Katsumoto from house detention, he was able to assist them by disguising Algren as “the President of the United States” to divert their attention. Graham narrates the movie’s opening and ending sequences, making the movie seem like a book he wrote.

Benjamin Bagley: Tony Goldwyn

He was the former commander of Algren. Despite Algren’s concerns, he was the attack on the Indian village’s planner. He was in a way the one who brought about Algren’s trauma and a foe to be feared. Ironically, he and Algren wound up working in Japan as military instructors. He and Algren became adversaries during a conflict between rebel and government forces; in the end, Algren flung a sword that struck him in the chest and killed him.

The Last Samurai Production sites

Shokakuzan Engyoji Temple (Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture)

An historic temple in Harima known as Engyo-ji Temple served as the primary setting for filming. The temple is particularly well-known for serving as the setting for three mountaintop halls where sequences from “The Last Samurai” were filmed for NHK’s historical drama “Gunshi Kanbei.” The expansive temple grounds are the ideal location for a period drama because they have a distinctive ambiance and time.

Due to its accessibility and ease of access through a ropeway at the foot of the temple, Engyo-ji Temple draws a lot of visitors during the autumnal foliage season.

New Zeland

The Taranaki region of New Zealand served as the backdrop for the fight sequences in The Last Samurai. New Zealand is a country of outstanding natural beauty and is well-known for serving as the setting for the “Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” film series. The reason why so many works of art have been produced here is because it is also less expensive than employing Hollywood studios.

In terms of the specifics, the Ulithi Valley’s hills were used to replicate a samurai town. In the midst of thick woodlands, close to Lake Mangamahoe, a dramatic cavalry fight was filmed. The breathtaking terrain, which is uncommon in Japan, served as the ideal backdrop for the spectacular scenes.

However, Mount Taranaki in the Taranaki region was the key factor in its selection. It closely resembles Mt. Fuji in Japan and seamlessly fits with the country’s natural surroundings. The main city of Taranaki, New Plymouth, is a port city, hence the set was created to mimic Yokohama. The incident where Algren arrives by ship in Yokohama was captured on camera. 

Others

Hollywood studios are used to film scenes in Tokyo and other places. Even though it is a studio, it is capable of constructing enormous sets, therefore the scale must be unmatched by Japan’s.

Kujuku Islands, located in Sasebo City, Nagasaki Prefecture, are the lovely tiny island seen floating in the water at night at the beginning of the movie. It has a highly unique landscape because there are 208 islands, according to some estimates.

Along with their tour guide Graham, Algren and Bagley met with the Emperor Meiji. The movie was filmed on location in Kyoto, in Higashiyama-ku, at the Otokozaka slope of Chion-in Temple. There is a distinct Japanese mood and scene there.

The last samurai box-office revenue

Both at the box office and online, “The Last Samurai” generated a lot of discussion. Here are separate box office totals for the United States and Japan.

“The Last Samurai” was the top-grossing movie over the weekend in the United States in 2003 with box office receipts of $456 million. Four Academy Awards, three Golden Globes, and two National Board of Review Awards were among the many honors for which it received nominations.

In Japan, the movie earned 13.7 billion yen and attracted 14.1 million viewers, placing it first among all movies there that year.

Comments and Reviews of The last samurai

Here are some reviews of “The Last Samurai” for your consideration. What did the movie’s American viewers think of it? Here are some of their voices.

“I thoroughly enjoyed each of the three times I watched the film. When it was in theaters, I liked it; I liked it even more the second time, and at this point, I can only say that I love it. It is simple to forget that Tom Cruise is Tom Cruise in this movie due to his fantastic performance. In each scenario, Ken Watanabe excels. In any movie he has ever been a part of, he brings more human characters to life by acting with great nuance and emotion. The entire cast is obviously excellent, but each performs a difficult role, especially Koyuki and Shichinosuke Nakamura, who are both excellent in their parts.” 

“A brilliantly made movie that truly is an epic in every sense. The Last Samurai has beautiful locations, top-notch cinematography, and well-made costumes. The gentler parts are eerie, and the war scenes are intense. The action scenes, in particular, are superbly choreographed and send chills down the viewer’s spine. Tom Cruise has never been one of my favorite actors, but in this movie, he offers his finest performance to date, and at times, I forgot he was acting.” 

“A samurai insurrection led by Saigo Takamori in 1877 is the subject of “The Last Samurai,” despite the fact that the main character is an American mercenary. Despite being a different character than Saigo Takamori, Ken Watanabe does a fantastic job portraying him. In American slang, the samurai’s Alamo is the memorable last battle scenario. The Last Samurai is a fantastic story, and Americans should watch it to learn more about Japan than they do from World War II movies—both the good and the bad. Tom Cruise merits praise for introducing this tale to American audiences.”

Reviews from spectators are noted. It’s acceptable to acknowledge and react to opinions of the Japanese.

Comparison of the movie, The truth of The Last Samurai

Now let’s examine the movie’s setting and how it deviates from historical reality. Since “The Last Samurai” is a fictional story, most of the characters are also made up. The Emperor Meiji was most likely the only person who truly existed.

Algren, a former army officer, has a model. Katsumoto, the other primary character, also was modeled after. Jules Brunet, a member of the French military advice mission, traveled to Japan at the conclusion of the Edo era. Brunet, like Algren, was roughly 30 years old when he first arrived in Japan. Brunet, however, is a soldier in the military. He belonged to a regiment of cavalry artillery. Algren was also tasked with putting an end to the uprising, although Brunet has always supported the shogunate or the samurai. He continued to fight with them until the end, and this attitude persisted even after the Shogunate was overthrown.

Next is Ken Watanabe’s portrayal of Katsumoto, who likewise appears to have a role model. Takeaki Enomoto, a former shogunate vassal, was Brune’s partner up until the very end. Enomoto survived through the Meiji period, rose to political prominence, and, most importantly, he did not die opposing the policies of the ruling party. The Satsuma Rebellion’s founder Saigo Takamori is possibly the best example.

Saigo, a significant member of the new government and one of the founding fathers of the Meiji period, participated actively in the Meiji Restoration. He disagreed with Okubo Toshimichi and others over the theory of Korea’s conquest, and as a result he eventually left the new government and withdrew in Satsuma. Katsumoto’s past as a government official is mentioned in the film. We are also reminded of the private school where Saigo gathered the children of samurai households in the samurai village where Katsumoto located. Katsumoto, acting as if speaking for the unhappy samurai, opposes the policies of the government in a manner similar to Saigo’s involvement in igniting the Sainan War.

Actually, Okubo Toshimichi is the government’s ringleader; Omura Matsue, who was presented as the bad guy. Okubo was in charge of developing Japan’s industries, railroads, and numerous infrastructures. He also actively invited foreigners to the country and oversaw government initiatives to boost national prosperity and fortify the armed forces. The main distinction is that while Omura was a successful businessman and a wealthy individual, Okubo never lost sight of poverty and had no attachment to money. Omura was forced to take on the role of the antagonist because movies must show a difference between good and evil.

In terms of the movie’s content, the war sequences are very fantastic, and there are other breathtaking scenes reminiscent of American films. The battle scenes are exciting and simply amazing. However, there can be a lot of people who are uncomfortable. First of all, ninjas appeared when Omura was ambushed by assassins at the village fair. What, ninjas in the Meiji era? Every Japanese person must think so.The truth is that this tale has a twist. The director and other foreign employees insisted that ninjas be included in the movie. On the other hand, the Japanese crew were hesitant to do so, stating that “the setting is too odd. They were ultimately disregarded, and ninjas were forced into the movie. Although it was unrealistic to include ninjas in the movie in order to boost box office income, it is true that they are quite popular in Europe and the United States. Therefore, it was probably preferable to include them in the movie.

Let’s go on to a discussion of samurai fighting attire. The fact that the samurai were armored and even carried banners on their backs, as if they were from the time of the Warring States, suggests that this is yet another common myth. There were no samurai in armor fighting in the actual Civil War, and most of the fighting included weapons. Although the battle was fought with swords rather than weapons because of the rain, wearing heavy armor was not necessary.

It is likewise erroneous for Katsumoto to be obliged to put his sword away by the Sword Abolition Law. In reality, Katsumoto was authorized to own a sword in public but was only allowed to carry one around his waist. Being prohibited from wearing a belt, however, is equivalent to giving up the samurai spirit because carrying a sword is a sign of pride and identity for samurai. It makes sense to conceive about it in this way to some extent.

A furious war scene played out in the last, decisive fight, although it too had scenes that were not according to historical events. The government forces used the Gatling guns (also known as rotating machine guns) to engage the rushing rebels, although this cutting-edge weapon was absent from use during the Civil War. However, the Civil War did not see the use of this cutting-edge weapon. It really did exist. It was produced during the Hokuetsu War, a phase of the Boshin War, by Tsugunosuke Kawai, a servant of the Nagaoka domain. Kawai purchased two of them because it was a costly weapon at the time and he needed them to battle the new government forces. Later, it was taken away and put aboard the battleship “Koutetsu.”

“The Last Samurai” is a masterpiece in terms of story and entertainment value, even though it clearly strays from historical reality in several instances. It is also heartening to learn that it is well known in the West as a piece that captures Japan in its heyday.

Comparing the film to actual events; Getting in touch with Jules Brunet.

Who is Jules Brunet?

Now allow me to introduce you to Tom Cruise’s Algren, who was based on Jules Brunet.

Brunet, who was born in 1838 in the eastern French town of Belfort, attended the Ecole Polytechnique, a school for science and engineering, the Military Academy, and the Military Artillery School before receiving a commission as a second lieutenant in the Army Artillery. At the age of 24, he served in the Mexican War at the siege of Puebla and was recognized with the Legion of Honor’s Fifth Class award. He had no prior experience of Japan, and it’s unclear whether he even realized it existed at that point. But an unforeseen turn of events forced him to visit Japan, which he had never been to before.

The Edo shogunate asked France to send a military consulting mission in 1866 so that it might modernize its armed forces. This was due to the “Treaty of Amity and Commerce between Japan and France,” which the shogunate had signed during the Ansei era, and France’s efforts to court the shogunate by sending its minister, Roche. There was a strong tie to France because Tokugawa Yoshinobu’s younger brother, Shobu, later studied there as well.

Brunet, who was only 28 years old, was chosen to serve as the second in command of the Military Advisory Corps, which was headed by Captain Charles Chanoine. He ultimately made it to Japan in 1867 (Keio 3), bringing with him six officers and thirteen enlisted men. They started their military training in their separate fields of responsibility a few weeks after they arrived in Yokohama. At the period, the principal combatants in the army of the Shogunate were not fighters in their own right. Hatamoto, who were shogun’s direct vassals, were adamantly opposed to acting as “gun carriers,” and no one was available to do so.A training corps was established with the help of Tadasun Oguri, a shogunate minister, and was primarily made up of firefighters, expositor workers, and other unwitting individuals. Modern training tools imported from France were provided, and the entire instruction was conducted in French. They were also given field and mountain cannons by Napoleon III of France, and it appears that their arsenal and level of training grew daily.

However, the Battle of Toba-Fushimi broke out less than a year after the training started. The troops of the previous Shogunate turned against the throne. France issued a directive compelling the military advisers to take a neutral stance. The minister Utley made the decision to return to Japan after realizing that the previous shogunate was no longer in control, and the military advisors were also given the go-ahead to do the same. Brunet, however, was unable to concur. He wasn’t sure he could give up the mission and the ancient shogunate and go back to his own nation. Brunet made the decision to stay in Japan after much consideration.Of course his superiors would be upset if he deserted the army. So, he resigned and placed a letter to the French Emperor on Chief of Staff Captain Chanoine’s desk before sneaking out of Yokohama. He got on Takeaki Enomoto’s battleship and sailed toward north. According to legend, Captain Chanoine was aware of Brunet’s emotions but purposefully ignored them.

For the old shogunate forces and the Ouetsu Confederation, the Boshin War was not going well, and the front line was creeping north. To Ezochi (Hokkaido), where there was still a lot of resistance, Enomoto headed his fleet. In order to help the military magistrate Otori Keisuke when the Ezo Republic was founded with Enomoto as its leader, Brunet was given the position of military advisor. He took command of four troops to provide the Ezo Republic with military backing, along with his French subordinates. In order to fortify their fortifications and safeguard their stronghold of Goryokaku, they also constructed Shiryokaku in a vulnerable area.

Brune discovered that his initial assumption that the new government soldiers would not enter such a remote place was mistaken. The existence of the Ezo Republic was a significant barrier for the new government, which was keen to create a new strategy of colonization by developing the Ezo region. Final invasion of Ezo by the new government soldiers occurred in May of the second Meiji year (1869). Hijikata Toshizo’s forces put up a valiant fight against the enemy, but eventually other points of attack were broken. The enemy also pounded Goryokaku, forcing the Ezo Republican Army into a tight spot. After a month of conflict, Enomoto ultimately made the decision to prevail, ending Brune’s involvement in Japan.

In addition, Brunet and the others had fled from the French battleship Coetologne, which was berthed in Hakodate harbor, just before the surrender. They were repatriated to Yokohama with the other nine men and then brought back to France. The French people at home, however, were discussing the letter Brunet had left behind, and because they understood their feelings, they backed their stance.As a result, he enlisted in the reserves without undergoing a military trial and returned to active duty when the Franco-Prussian War started. After being encircled by Prussian forces at the Battle of Sedan, Napoleon III and all of his generals submitted, and Brunet was also captured. But soon after the peace was achieved, he was let free, and Brunet took part in the repression of the emperor’s opponents.

In the French Army, he resumed his military career and in 1898, under Chanoine, attained the rank of Chief of Staff of the Army. For his assistance to Japan during the Sino-Japanese War, he was additionally presented with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette in 1895.

Boshin War

Boshin Senso is the name given to the civil war that raged in Japan between 1868 (Keio 4) and 1869 (Meiji 2). It might be stated that a new era was heralded as the new administration pushed aside the old shogunate forces because Keio 4 and the first year of Meiji are both represented by the Chinese zodiac sign Boshin.

The centripetal influence of the Shogunate was waning near the end of the Edo period, and anti-Shogunate factions like Satsuma and Choshu were covertly looking for a chance to use force to remove the shogunate. Tokugawa Yoshinobu, the final shogun, took the initiative and had the guts to reinstate the shogunate. He aimed to establish a coalition of lords centered on the Tokugawa dynasty by ending the shogunate. However, this was stopped by Satcho, Iwakura Tomomi, and his supporters.They tried to force Yoshinobu to resign from his post and to fracture the Tokugawa family. Furthermore, in Edo, the Satsuma clan provoked the old shogunate and provoked an outburst. The shogunate, which hated Satsuma, concentrated its forces in the Kinai region, aiming to eliminate the anti-Tokugawa faction by force of arms. Thus, the Battle of Toba-Fushimi took place.

Nevertheless, despite having three times as much strength as the previous shogunate forces, the new government forces were able to defeat them, and Yoshinobu ultimately turned against the new government. In order to show his respect for the new government, Yoshinobu, who had been at Osaka Castle, traveled back to Edo by sea. While many of the shogunate’s vassals were prepared to submit to the new government’s rule, there were some who were against it. These two were the “Denshutai,” a band of samurai that made their way north from Edo under the leadership of Otori Keisuke and Enomoto Takeaki. As a sign of their opposition to the new regime, they fled Edo and moved north.

In the meantime, strange things were also happening in the Hokuriku and Tohoku regions. Matsudaira Katamori, an Aizu feudal lord and former governor of Kyoto, was disliked by Satsunaga and had developed a dynastic rivalry with Yoshinobu. The new administration took a tough stance while Yoshinobu made peace with Satsuma while under house arrest, declaring, “We will not accept it until we see the head of Katamori. However, after receiving a combined letter of petition from the Tohoku clans that supported Yoho, the new administration did not change its position. In order to oppose the new administration, the Tohoku clans established the “Alliance of the Ouetsu Domains” and shown their willingness to use force to do so.

First, the Tohoku War started after the Hokuetsu War. The new administration insisted that Tsugunosuke Kawai, a retainer of the Nagaoka realm, choose to either be its enemy or its friend. Kawai encountered the new government soldiers after being forced to take the road of resistance. But despite Kawai’s heroic efforts, the Nagaoka Clan was defeated by the vast disparity in strength. Then, the Tohoku region was also ablaze. The Tohoku clans with their inferior weaponry and power withstood fierce conflicts in Shirakawaguchi, Aizu, and Akita, leaving one after another. The clans’ partnership finally disintegrated as a result of the fall of the Tsurugajo Castle, where Katamori was holed up.

Meanwhile, Takeaki Enomoto’s escape from Ezo was being pursued by the new government’s military. Hijikata Toshizo was killed in a land combat because the Ezo Republic, which had lost a string of vessels, was helpless in the face of the invasion. Their home base, Goryokaku, was also attacked. Enomoto made the decision to give up after determining that he could no longer mount an effective defense, ending the Boshin War.

Saigo Takamori

Now allow me to present Saigo Takamori, who served as the inspiration for Katsumoto in the story. The son of a low-ranking Satsuma clan samurai, Saigo was born in 1827. Kichinosuke is another name for him. On an official visit to the shogunate in Edo (modern-day Tokyo) in 1854, he is alleged to have been involved in political scheming as a “niwakata (gardener)” (a person in charge of the garden).

Shimazu Hisamitsu, the feudal lord’s father and the man in charge, required Saigo after Nariakira eventually passed away. Saig, however, was a bit of a bother for Hisamitsu, who wished to increase the Satsuma clan’s influence in Tokyo as soon as possible. Saigyo was told by Hisamitsu to wait in Shimonoseki, but he traveled to Tokyo instead. Saig disobeyed Hisamitsu’s instructions to wait in Shimonoseki and instead traveled to Tokyo to meet with other samurai from various clans. Saigou’s family’s possessions were seized, and Hisamitsu exiled him in a fit of rage.

Without Saigo’s strength, Satsuma would not have been able to endure the trying times. Saigo, who had been sent back to Satsuma, was given the crucial position of chief of staff and actively participated in the Forbidden Gate Incident’s victory over the Choshu forces. He was said to be “Satsuma has his own man” because he got the situation under control during the ensuing initial invasion of Choshu without engaging in combat. Around this time, Satsuma started to adopt an anti-Shogunate position, and he refrained from participating in the Shogunate soldiers’ second conquest of Choshu. Instead, he subtly encouraged a movement toward a Satsuma-Choshu union by, for instance, providing the Choshu clan with guns when it was under attack.

He and Okubo Toshimichi started to associate with Iwakura  Tomomi and other members of the Imperial Court once the Satcho alliance was established. The shogunate gave itself a reason to be overthrown through use of force in 1868 when it issued a “secret order to defeat the shogunate.” However, Shogun Yoshinobu Tokugawa, who appeared to be taking advantage of the circumstance, instituted a massive restitution policy and stopped the Shogun from acting.

Saigo adopted a strict stance because the Tokugawa dynasty was still in charge of the effort. He actively stirred up trouble in Edo to appeal to the old shogunate side. This prompted the old shogunate soldiers to attack, which resulted in the Battle of Toba-Fushimi. After winning this conflict, the new government branded Yoshinobu Yoshinobu as a dynastic enemy and sent an army of conquest after him to force him back.As a result of Yoshinobu’s apologies and his placement in his estate, the Edo Castle was opened without incident, but the old shogunate soldiers continued to put up resistance, particularly in the Kanto and Tohoku provinces. The old shogunate soldiers were decimated as the front advanced northward through Hokuetsu, Tohoku, and Hakodate, and the new government eventually gained control of the entirety of Japan.

The Meiji government’s first head was Saig, but modern Japan was still a long way off. Due to differences in policy and the presence of disgruntled samurai, the new administration did not operate as intended. Saigo also had disagreements with the government leaders regarding the premise of conquering Korea. Saigo eventually announced his resignation and left for Kagoshima, his hometown.

Saigo, however, had to deal with the angry samurai’s resentment. He set up a private school and dedicated his life to education, but the extreme samurai movements persisted. Saigo raised the fumes of the anti-government movement in 1877 after being propelled along by the samurai’s discontent.

The rebels initially boosted their morale by besieging Kumamoto Castle, but they quickly found themselves overwhelmed as the regular troops of the new government started to arrive one by one. After leaving the front line, the rebels engaged Kagoshima in a decisive combat, but lost and ultimately killed themselves.

Jules Brunet’s Letter

Let’s start with a letter that Jules Brunet wrote to French Emperor Napoleon III. Jules Brunet discusses his feelings for Japan in the letter.

“I was sent to Japan on His Majesty’s instruction, and I and my coworkers did our best, but the Military Advisory Corps was compelled to leave Japan due to the Japanese Revolution (Boshin War). But I am resolved to stay in Japan, and I am ready to make public the successes of our advising mission alongside the Northern lords (Ouetsu Confederation), who support France.

I agreed to the Northern lords’ request to serve as the focal point of their alliance against the Southern lords (Satsuma and Choshu). I agreed to their request since I could command the 50,000 soldiers of the northern allies with the aid of the 1,000 Japanese officers the advisors had taught me. I decided it would be better to resign and leave Yokohama in order to avoid Captain Chanoine, who had been tasked with returning the Advisory Corps members home, and Minister Utley.

True, I was jeopardizing my career as a French officer. However, I had faith that the old shogunate forces would heed my counsel when they chose to fight alongside me. The Japanese had never before put such a great deal of faith in Europeans. I think that serving His Majesty would be the best way to honor their trust. Please pardon me for accidentally breaking a military order.

I understand how severe this transgression is. Because I already did it, I won’t take the liberty of acting without His Excellency the Minister of War’s consent. However, it would be a missed chance for military action to wait six months for His Excellency the Minister of War’s approval.Even while the civil war is weakening the southern lords, they are already beginning to exhibit signs of exhaustion, and our route is exceedingly arduous. A large number of British and American officers are also among the southern lords. I swear by the cross that your Majesty has given me that I would do everything in my power to advance France’s cause in this nation. There is no greater solace for me if, happily, His Majesty believes that my small activity is good. “

You may get a sense of the situation France was in at the time from this letter. Each nation had its own interests at stake, with France supporting Satcho while England and the U.S. supported the Shogunate. However, France lost all advantages after the Shogunate was overthrown. This demonstrates France’s position that it is no longer necessary to remain in Japan.Brune, though, was unique. Without considering potential gains or losses for his country, he was prepared to support the old shogunate (samurai) and was prepared to die a martyr’s death. He belonged to the Japanese army he had raised, of course. However, I believe that the reason he joined their cause was to support the honorable samurai who were being backed into a corner. Brune fought for the cause.