The New International Encyclopædia/Okubo, Toshimichi

OKUBO, ō̇′kụ-bō, Toshimichi (1830-78). A Japanese statesman and reformer. A native of the warlike elan of Satsuma, he was one of the five leaders in the restoration of the Emperor to power in 1867-68. After the establishment of peace he was equally prominent as the advocate of progressive measures. He was vice-ambassador in the Japanese embassy of 1672-73 which traveled around the world. Going to Peking in 1874, he settled the Formosan difficulty, which threatened war between the two empires. For eight years he was in the Cabinet of the Emperor. In 1877 a portion of the Satsuma clan, led by his old friend and comrade in arms, Saigo, rebelled. But Okubo remained in the Cabinet, aiding in the suppression of the rebellion. In revenge six clansmen of Satsuma killed him while he was on the way to the Emperor's palace, May 14, 1878. He received high posthumous rank, and his sons were ennobled.