The Satsuma domain, present Kagoshima Prefecture, was one of the main forces to implement the anti-Shogunate movement as well as Japan's modernization in the middle of the 19th century. Okubo Toshimichi is one of the leading figures of Satsuma domain, and he became the de facto ruler of the new government. However his political method was suppressive and dictatorial, thus not a few people had a grudge against him. The former samurai classes, in particular, hated him because his political policy deprived them of samurai privileges. As a result, many rebellions frequently took place mainly in Kyushu.
Okubo Toshimichi was assassinated by six former samurais having a grudge on the way from his house to the then Imperial Palace in 1878. The big monument as shown in the picture stands at the very place where he was killed in the heart of Tokyo.
Licensed tour guide, travel consultant,
Masahisa Takaki.
