Baron Takahira Kogorō (高平 小五郎; 29 January 1854 – 28 November 1926) was a Japanese diplomat and ambassador to the United…Baron Takahira Kogorō (高平 小五郎; 29 January 1854 – 28 November 1926) was a Japanese diplomat and ambassador to the United States from 1900 to 1909.
Katayama Tōkuma (片山 東熊; 18 January 1854 – 24 October 1917) was a Japanese architect who designed the original buildings…Katayama Tōkuma (片山 東熊; 18 January 1854 – 24 October 1917) was a Japanese architect who designed the original buildings for the Imperial Nara Museum as well as the Kyoto Imperial Museum and was significant in introducing Western, particularly French architecture into Japan. Coming from Chōshū, Tōkuma was a protégé of Yamagata Aritomo. In 1879 he graduated from the Imperial College of Engineering. During his late twenties and early thirties he assisted Josiah Conder in designing and building a Western-style residence for Prince Arisugawa Taruhito and then on the new Imperial Palace in Tokyo. During the 1880 he was sent to Europe and America to study interior decoration, including furniture. In 1887 he was appointed as an officer in the construction office of the Imperial Household.
Ōdate Uzaemon (Japanese: 大達羽 左エ門; born Benji Suwa (諏訪 辯治, Suwa Benji), December 15, 1853 – August 17, 1904) was a…Ōdate Uzaemon (Japanese: 大達羽 左エ門; born Benji Suwa (諏訪 辯治, Suwa Benji), December 15, 1853 – August 17, 1904) was a Japanese sumo wrestler from Tagawa, Dewa Province (now Tsuruoka, Yamagata Prefecture), Japan. His highest rank was ōzeki. He is the fifth ōzeki from Yamagata Prefecture and the last promoted at this rank until the promotion of Kashiwado in September 1960, 72 years later. Nicknamed Boujakufujin (傍若無人), meaning 'insolent', he was known both for his bad manners and outrages towards his masters, and for his wrestling skills, boosting sumo's popularity at a match given in honor of Emperor Meiji.
Prince Ōyama Iwao (大山 巌; 12 November 1842 – 10 December 1916) was a Japanese field marshal, and one of the founders of…Prince Ōyama Iwao (大山 巌; 12 November 1842 – 10 December 1916) was a Japanese field marshal, and one of the founders of the Imperial Japanese Army. He was representative of the outstanding military commanders of the late modern period.
Hayashi Yūzō (林 有造; 21 September 1842 – 29 December 1921) was a politician and cabinet minister in the pre-war Empire…Hayashi Yūzō (林 有造; 21 September 1842 – 29 December 1921) was a politician and cabinet minister in the pre-war Empire of Japan.
Wakashima Kyūzaburō (若島 久三郎; September, 1842 – January 6, 1891) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Aizu…Wakashima Kyūzaburō (若島 久三郎; September, 1842 – January 6, 1891) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Aizu, Mutsu Province (now Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima Prefecture). His highest rank was ōzeki. As of January 1881, he is the only professional wrestler from this prefecture to have reached this rank.
Count Yoshikawa Akimasa (芳川 顕正; 21 January 1842 – 10 January 1920) was a Japanese bureaucrat, statesman and cabinet…Count Yoshikawa Akimasa (芳川 顕正; 21 January 1842 – 10 January 1920) was a Japanese bureaucrat, statesman and cabinet minister, active in Meiji and Taishō period Japan.
Raiden Shin'emon (雷電 震右エ門; 1842 – June 7, 1886) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Hakui, Ishikawa…Raiden Shin'emon (雷電 震右エ門; 1842 – June 7, 1886) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Hakui, Ishikawa Prefecture. He made his debut in April 1864 and wrestled for Chiganoura stable. He reached the makuuchi division in April 1870 and reached the rank of ōzeki in 1877. He was nicknamed "Noto's Raiden" (能登雷電) since he is the last wrestler to use the Raiden shikona, or ring name. He retired in May, 1881 and died in 1886.
Marquis Sasaki Takayuki (佐々木 高行; November 26, 1830 – March 3, 1910) was a bureaucrat, government minister and court…Marquis Sasaki Takayuki (佐々木 高行; November 26, 1830 – March 3, 1910) was a bureaucrat, government minister and court official in late Meiji period Japan.
Ōkubo Toshimichi (Japanese: 大久保 利通; 26 September 1830 – 14 May 1878) was a Japanese statesman and samurai of the…Ōkubo Toshimichi (Japanese: 大久保 利通; 26 September 1830 – 14 May 1878) was a Japanese statesman and samurai of the Satsuma Domain. Regarded as one of the main founders of modern Japan, he was one of the "Three Great Nobles" who led the Meiji Restoration in 1868, alongside Kido Takayoshi and Saigō Takamori. His policies, often characterized by realism and a focus on national strength (fukoku kyōhei), has led some historians to compare his role in Japan to that of Otto von Bismarck in Prussia. Beginning his career as a low-ranking retainer in Satsuma, Ōkubo became a central figure in the movement to overthrow the Tokugawa shogunate, and following the restoration of imperial rule became a prominent leader in the new Meiji government. As a junior councilor and later in key ministerial posts, he was a principal architect of the new state, driving reforms that dismantled the old feudal structure. His most significant achievement in this period was the abolition of the han system in 1871, which centralized the country under the Tokyo government. Ōkubo served as a vice-ambassador on the Iwakura Mission (1871–1873), touring the United States and Europe. The experience reinforced his belief that Japan must prioritize internal modernization before engaging in foreign ventures. Following his return, he successfully opposed a proposed invasion of Korea (Seikanron) in October 1873, thereby leading to a political split with his former ally Takamori. Upon being named Home Minister in November 1873, Ōkubo consolidated power to become the dominant figure within the Meiji oligarchy. Ōkubo then focused on a state-led industrialization drive and suppressed several samurai uprisings that challenged the central government, including the Saga and Satsuma Rebellions. In 1878, Ōkubo was assassinated by a group of disaffected samurai who accused him of tyranny. While controversial for his authoritarian methods, Ōkubo is remembered for his political shrewdness and unwavering vision. His leadership during the turbulent early Meiji period was instrumental in transforming Japan from a feudal country into a modern, industrialised nation-state.
Saigō Tanomo (西郷 頼母; May 16, 1830 – April 28, 1903) was a Japanese samurai of the late Edo period. Chief senior…Saigō Tanomo (西郷 頼母; May 16, 1830 – April 28, 1903) was a Japanese samurai of the late Edo period. Chief senior councilor (hittōgarō 筆頭家老) of the Aizu clan, he achieved fame due to his distinguished action in the Boshin War. He adopted the name Hoshina Chikanori (保科 近野里). Surviving the war, he became a Shinto priest, and achieved renown as a martial artist. He is considered one of the teachers of the famed Takeda Sōkaku.
Aoki Konyō (青木昆陽; June 19, 1698 – November 9, 1769) was a Confucian scholar, minor hatamoto and pioneer rangaku scholar…Aoki Konyō (青木昆陽; June 19, 1698 – November 9, 1769) was a Confucian scholar, minor hatamoto and pioneer rangaku scholar in early Edo period Japan. He is also credited with introducing the cultivation of sweet potato to many parts of Japan.
Sebastian Kimura (1565 – 10 September 1622) was a Japanese Catholic priest and member of the Society of Jesus. He was…Sebastian Kimura (1565 – 10 September 1622) was a Japanese Catholic priest and member of the Society of Jesus. He was among the 55 people killed during the Great Genna Martyrdom and subsequently beatified.