If you ever visit Kumamoto Castle you’ll notice this statue inside without much explanation. The soldier’s name is Tanimura Keisuke and he served at the castle when it was besieged by Saigo Takamori’s rebels during the Satsuma Rebellion / Seinan Civil War of 1877. Tanimura was 23 years old and a veteran of two previous rebellions, the Saga (1874) and Shinpuren (1876) rebellions. Acting under orders he escaped through the rebel lines to link up with the Imperial Japanese Army relief force and serve as a liaison.
He fought during the Battle of Tabaruzaka, one of the rebellion’s most important battles as the imperial victory there opened the way for the relief of Kumamoto Castle. That would be the beginning of a protracted end for the rebellion which would famously end at Shiroyama.
Unfortunately, Tanimura did not live to see it as he was killed at Tabaruzaka on Mar. 4, 1877. He would have turned 24 on Mar. 22. (The black and white photo and personal information are from the Japan National Diet Library)
