Seven Line Jueju Poem “One Million of the Imperial Army”

Nogi Maresuke

Meiji period (19^th century)

Donated by Watanabe Riemon

Nogi Maresuke (1849-1912) was a military figure in the Imperial Army during the Meiji era. He contributed to the taking of Port Arthur during the First Sino-Japanese War and served on the front during the Russo-Japanese War as the commander of the Third Army. In 1906 he was appointed military counselor, and in the next year was made a count. He was held in the greatest confidence by Emperor Meiji, and was named the 10^th director of Gakushuin University, but upon the death of Meiji, Nogi and his wife committed ritualistic suicide in order to follow their emperor to the next world.

This poem displays Nogi’s state of mind during the taking of the fortifications at Port Arthur. It is a deeply emotive piece, signaling Nogi’s great anguish at that time.