Saga Saga Japan

Many of the early Meiji reforms are seen as detrimental to samurai interests, despite the support they have given to the imperial court.

The creation of a conscript army made of commoners, as well as the loss of hereditary prestige and stipends has antagonized many former samurai.

Tensions run particularly high in the south, leading to the 1874 Saga Rebellion.

Etō Shimpei, former Justice Minister and sangi (Councilor) in the early Meiji government, had resigned his posts in 1873 to protest the government's refusal to launch a military expedition against Korea (Seikanron).

Eto had then assisted Itagaki Taisuke in organizing the Aikoku Kōtō political party, and in composing the Tosa Memorial, a sharp criticism of the government.

In January 1874, frustrated by the government's rejection of his efforts, he returns to his native Saga, where both the traditionalists and the Seikantō samurai rally to his support.

Japanese Home Minister Ōkubo Toshimichi, alarmed by growing rumors of unrest, dispatches his henchman Iwamura Takatoshi to Saga to restore order, but Iwamura only makes the situation worse with his overbearing attitude.

On the ship to Saga, he had made an enemy of Shima Yoshitake, the former governor of Akita Prefecture, who was traveling to Saga at the request of Sanjō Sanetomi.

Iwamura had so outraged Shima that Shima had decided to throw his lot in with Etō and his rebels.

Etō decides to take action on February 16 by raiding a bank and occupying government offices with the grounds of old Saga castle.

Etō had expected that similarly disaffected samurai in Satsuma and Tosa would stage insurrections when they received word of his actions, but he has miscalculated badly, and both domains remain calm.

Ōkubo had set up his headquarters in Hakata on February 19, and issues a proclamation condemning the Saga rebels as traitors.

Government troops had marched into Saga the following day.

After losing a battle on the border of Saga and Fukuoka on February 22, Eto decides that further resistance will only result in needless deaths, and disbands his army.

Etō tells his followers that he intends to escape to Kagoshima to obtain help from Saigō Takamori and his Satsuma samurai.

If Saigō refuses, he intends to go to Tosa, and if Tosa likewise refuses, he will make his way to Tokyo to commit seppuku.

The Saga rebels are greatly demoralized by Etō's flight but they continue to fight on, with some of the most violent combat occurring in the streets of Saga on February 27.

Shima, who had announced his decision to die fighting at Saga castle, flees that night for Kagoshima with his staff.

Government forces seize Saga Castle on March 1 without further bloodshed.