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Osprey Men at Arms #530
Japanese Armies 1868–1877: The Boshin War and Satsuma Rebellion
This title explains and illustrates the 19th-century transition of Japanese armies from traditional Samurai equipment and tactics to those of the Western world, and the armed clashes between the two cultures.
The restoration of the Meiji Imperial dynasty in 1868, after 250 years of the Tokugawa Shogunate, decisively opened Japan to the outside world and the monarchy embraced modernization, including the creation of a new Westernized army. However, this modernization process was resisted by the traditional Samurai feudal nobility, leading to a series of battles.
The first clash between the two cultures came swiftly. During the Boshin War of 1868---69, a French military adviser, Jules Brunet, changed sides to join the insurgents. They won several engagements before the final crushing of the rebel Ezo Republic. After this point, the Imperial Army continued to modernize along French lines, and social changes began to impoverish Samurai noblemen, who lost their social and political role and their associated privileges.
During 1876, the powerful Satsuma Domain, around Kagoshima in southwest Kyushu, became a focus for discontent. Its leader Saigo Takamori effectively ignored the central government, and in January 1877, increasing unrest broke out into open rebellion. The Imperial forces were now much stronger, and the Navy could land troops and bombard Kagoshima. The bitter Satsuma siege and attempted capture of Kumamoto Castle finally failed in April, and the Samurai made a last stand at Shiroyama on September 24, choosing to go down fighting. This marked the final defeat and displacement of the Samurai class.
This fully illustrated title explores the fall of the Samurai in detail, examining the arms, tactics, key figures of both sides, and charting the increasing Westernization of the Imperial forces.
The restoration of the Meiji Imperial dynasty in 1868, after 250 years of the Tokugawa Shogunate, decisively opened Japan to the outside world and the monarchy embraced modernization, including the creation of a new Westernized army. However, this modernization process was resisted by the traditional Samurai feudal nobility, leading to a series of battles.
The first clash between the two cultures came swiftly. During the Boshin War of 1868---69, a French military adviser, Jules Brunet, changed sides to join the insurgents. They won several engagements before the final crushing of the rebel Ezo Republic. After this point, the Imperial Army continued to modernize along French lines, and social changes began to impoverish Samurai noblemen, who lost their social and political role and their associated privileges.
During 1876, the powerful Satsuma Domain, around Kagoshima in southwest Kyushu, became a focus for discontent. Its leader Saigo Takamori effectively ignored the central government, and in January 1877, increasing unrest broke out into open rebellion. The Imperial forces were now much stronger, and the Navy could land troops and bombard Kagoshima. The bitter Satsuma siege and attempted capture of Kumamoto Castle finally failed in April, and the Samurai made a last stand at Shiroyama on September 24, choosing to go down fighting. This marked the final defeat and displacement of the Samurai class.
This fully illustrated title explores the fall of the Samurai in detail, examining the arms, tactics, key figures of both sides, and charting the increasing Westernization of the Imperial forces.
48 pages, Paperback
Published March 24, 2020
About the author
Gabriele Esposito
98 books13 followersThe author of numerous books on armies and uniforms, Gabriele Esposito is a contract professor of Medieval, Modern and Contemporary History at the "Luigi Vanvitelli" University of Campania.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 2, 2020
Ever since I was an active Osprey Publishing forum user back in the mid and late oughts I have been consistently advocating for this book to be made in the MAA series. And here we are, illustrated by Giuseppe Rava, their best post-Angus McBride artist too.
March 28, 2023
Nice short introduction to final days of the age of the samurai.
We learn about westerner's attempts to open Japan, by force if necessary, about incidents with the locals, about rebellions and finally about the Saigo Takamori and his final stand at Shiroyama.
The book is really good and covers a lot. What I didn't like were pictures that break the flow of text and the briefness - or rather omission - of the Shiroyama details. I mean, the whole point of the book is Satsuma rebellion. Since no other battle between Saigo and Imperial Army was discussed, one would expect Shiroyama - the final stand of the samurai - to at least get some detail or a picture.
Unfortunatelly, and this is not authors fault by any means, details were left out.
It doesn't detract from the book in any significant way, but it'd be much better read if it were there.
A recommendation nonetheless, especially to those leaning towards newer history of Japan.
We learn about westerner's attempts to open Japan, by force if necessary, about incidents with the locals, about rebellions and finally about the Saigo Takamori and his final stand at Shiroyama.
The book is really good and covers a lot. What I didn't like were pictures that break the flow of text and the briefness - or rather omission - of the Shiroyama details. I mean, the whole point of the book is Satsuma rebellion. Since no other battle between Saigo and Imperial Army was discussed, one would expect Shiroyama - the final stand of the samurai - to at least get some detail or a picture.
Unfortunatelly, and this is not authors fault by any means, details were left out.
It doesn't detract from the book in any significant way, but it'd be much better read if it were there.
A recommendation nonetheless, especially to those leaning towards newer history of Japan.
January 16, 2026
Good illustrations and certainly a very interesting period of Japanese history. Several engagements are described, along with the organization of Imperial and Shogunate forces. Increasing centralization led to changes in how armies were recruited, often driving and being driven by societal changes.
October 4, 2026
Me gusta que, a diferencia de la mayoría de libros de esta serie, no se limita a explicar las distintas fuerzas armadas, sino que también explica bastante bien el contexto de unos hechos tan complejos.
March 24, 2020
Well-written and illustrated Osprey Men-at-Arms book, given it an extra star for collating a lot of obscure fascinating information in one small volume.
March 25, 2024
This book provides a general framework for the understanding of the period in point. It adopts the most widely circulated narratives, some of which are already questioned by the current studies: For instance, contemporary studies have shown that Saigo Takamori did not mean to invade Korea. It was more of a deliberate misinterpretation magnified by the political strife within the Meiji government.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews