The 1873 Korean crisis had resulted in…

The 1873 Korean crisis had resulted in the resignation of military-expedition proponents Saigo and Councillor of State Eto Shimpei (1834-74).

Eto, the founder of various patriotic organizations, had conspired with other discontented elements to start an armed insurrection against government troops in Saga, the capital of his native prefecture in Kyushu in 1874.

Okubo, charged with suppressing the revolt, had swiftly crushed Eto, who had appealed unsuccessfully to Saigo for help.

Three years later, the last major armed uprising— but most serious challenge to the Meiji government—takes shape in the Satsuma Rebellion, this time with Saigo playing an active role.

The Saga Rebellion and other agrarian and samurai uprisings mounted in protest to the Meiji reforms had been easily put down by the army.

Satsuma's former samurai are numerous, however, and they have a long tradition of opposition to central authority.

Saigo, with some reluctance and only after more widespread dissatisfaction with the Meiji reforms, raises a rebellion in 1877.

Both sides fight well, but the modern weaponry and better financing of the government forces ends the Satsuma Rebellion.

Although he is defeated and commits suicide, Saigo is not branded a traitor and becomes a heroic figure in Japanese history.

The suppression of the Satsuma Rebellion marks the end of serious threats to the Meiji regime but is sobering to the oligarchy.

The fight drains the national treasury, led to serious inflation, and force land values—and badly needed taxes—down.

Most importantly, calls for reform are renewed.