A large domain on the southern Japanese island of Kyushu, dominated in the Edo period by the great samurai clan of Shimazu At the end of the Tokugawa period, the southern provinces of Satsuma and Choshu were home to a number of young samurai of relatively humble origins who sought the overthrow of the Tokugawa shogunate These two domains, on the periphery of Japan geographically, historically cherished strong anti-Tokugawa sentiments In addition, they were more solvent financially than other domains, and could afford to purchase superior Western arms A guided tour of historic Satsuma
A satsuma is a fruit that looks like a small orange. a fruit like a small orange, that has no seeds and a loose skin you can pull off easily. Japanese feudal domain (han) in southern Kyushu noted for its role in Japan's modernization. Satsuma (part of modern-day Kagoshima prefecture) was ruled by the Shimazu family from the end of the 12th century to the Meiji Restoration in 1868. In 1609 the family had conquered the Ryukyu Islands, and trade with the Ryukyus continued during the Tokugawa period, when the rest of the country was forbidden contact with the outside world. This trade both enriched Satsuma and provided experience with foreign affairs that would prove useful in the 19th century when Western powers started pressuring Japan to end its isolation. The domain also developed expertise in Western learning: Shimazu Shigehide (1745-1833) founded schools of medicine, mathematics, and astronomy; Shimazu Nariakira (1809-58) adopted Western-style military techniques and armaments. These advantages, along with a traditional enmity toward the Tokugawa family, put the men of Satsuma in a prime position to become leaders in the movement to overthrow the shogunal government. See also kubo Toshimichi; Saig Takamori