Saigo Takamori shukujin-ato-shiryokan (Saigo Takamori army grounds museum)

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On August 15th, 1877, the Satsuma army lead by Saigo Takamori fought fiercely against the government army in Wadagoe, Nobeoka city. This was the last battle of the Seinan-no-eki, the last civil war in Japan. Although the Satsuma army fought formidably, they lost and stayed at the home of Kodama Kumashiro in Hyono, Kitagawa-machi. It was there that Saigo dismissed the Satsuma army and burned the army general’s uniform given to him by Emperor Meiji. He then broke the siege at Mount Enotake and headed for his home country, Kagoshima. It is believed that Saigo decided to camp at this almost cul-de-sac like location because he knew there was the tomb of Ninigi-no-mikoto who was the ancestor of the imperial family, right behind Kodamas’ Home. Perhaps because of this, the government army was unable to attack for the 2 nights and 3 days Saigo stayed there.

Encounter between Ninigi-no-mikoto and Saigo beyond time and space.

After breaking out of the siege at Mount Enotake and reaching Kagoshima, Saigo killed himself in Shiroyama, and his army dissipated. Kodama Kumashiro’s home where the Satsuma army camped for the last time was designated a historical site by the prefecture on December 5th in 1933. The house is now Saigo Takamori Army Grounds Museum and exhibits Saigo related items such as his relics and the replica of the army general uniform he used to wear.