Kagoshima, Kagoshima

Kagoshima (鹿児島市; -shi) the capital city of Kagoshima Prefecture at the southwest tip of the Kyushu island of Japan. It has been nicknamed the 'Naples of Japan', for its bay location (Aira Caldera), hot climate and impressive stratovolcano, Sakurajima.

History

In 1549 Japan had its first contact with Christians in Kagoshima. The Spanish missionary Francis Xavier arrived in Kagoshima and was given a friendly welcome.

Related Topics:
1549 - Francis Xavier

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Kagoshima was the scene of the last stand of Saigo Takamori, a legendary figure in Meiji Japan.

Related Topics:
Last stand - Saigo Takamori - Meiji

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Kagoshima was bombarded by the British Royal Navy in 1863 to punish the Satsuma daimyo for the murder of Charles Richardson on the Tōkaidō highway the previous year, and the refusal to pay an indemnity in compensation. (See 'Bombardment of Kagoshima').

Related Topics:
Royal Navy - Satsuma - Daimyo - Charles Richardson - Tōkaidō - Bombardment of Kagoshima

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Japan's industrial revolution may be said to have started here, stimulated by the young students commemorated in a large statue outside the city's main train station. Seventeen young men of Satsuma broke the Tokugawa ban on foreign travel to travel and return to share the benefits of the best of Western science and technology.

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The city was officially founded on April 1, 1889.

Related Topics:
April 1 - 1889

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Kagoshima was the birthplace of Saigo Takamori, one of the key figures of the Meiji Restoration, and of Togo Heihachiro. After naval studies in England between 1871 and 1878, Togo's role as Chief Admiral of the Grand Fleet of the Imperial Japanese Navy in the Russo-Japanese War made him a legend in Japanese military history, and earned him the nickname 'Nelson of the Orient' in Britain. He led the Grand Fleet to two startling victories in 1904 and 1905, completely destroying Russia as a naval power in the East, and thereby contributing to the failed revolution in Russia in 1905.

Related Topics:
Saigo Takamori - Meiji Restoration - Togo Heihachiro - England - Imperial Japanese Navy - Russo-Japanese War - Nelson - Revolution in Russia

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