Saigō Tanomo

Saigō Tanomo
One of the few images of Saigō Tanomo
Born(1830-05-16)May 16, 1830
DiedApril 28, 1903(1903-04-28) (aged 72)
Allegiance Aizu domain
Service years1860–1869
Rankkarō (senior councilor)
ConflictsBattle of Shirakawa, Battle of Aizu, Battle of Hakodate
Other workPriest at Tōshō-gū Shrine

Saigō Tanomo (西郷 頼母; May 16, 1830 – April 28, 1903) was a Japanese samurai of the late Edo period. Chief senior councilor (hittōgarō 筆頭家老) of the Aizu clan, he achieved fame due to his distinguished action in the Boshin War. He adopted the name Hoshina Chikanori (保科 近野里). Surviving the war, he became a Shinto priest, and achieved renown as a martial artist. He is considered one of the teachers of the famed Takeda Sōkaku.