乃木神社と乃木希典将軍 Nogi Shrine and Nogi Maresuke Army General(November. 2019-No.29）

Nogi Shrine is a shrine that enshrines Nogi Shogun and Mrs. Shizuko who lived in the Meiji era as gods. In addition to Tokyo, there are several shrines with the same name in Japan. General Nogi's old residence is adjacent to this shrine and can be visited inside. There is a stable in the garden of Nogi's house that can hold several horses. Although it is in the center of Tokyo, it is a rich green area. Nogi Shrine is not big in scale, but it is a calm and neat shrine that is crowded with people who come to pray for safe delivery and traffic safety.

Nogi maresuke（乃木希典）(1849-1912) was born in Yamaguchi Prefecture and was active as a commander in the Sino-Japanese War(1894-1895) and the Russo-Japanese War(1904-1905). In particular, he is famous internationally for directing the Siege of Lüshun(旅順、now Dalian 大連）in the Russo-Japanese War and committing suicide upon the death of Emperor Meiji.

During the siege in Lüshun, he ordered several charges against a modern and powerful Russian fortress, and his eldest son and second son died at that time. And it is said that about 15,400 killed and about 44,000 war wounds (total) in these battles.

In Japan, Nogi's evaluation is divided into two. Shiba Ryotaro (司馬遼太郎）, the most famous historical novelist in Japan, criticizes Nogi Shogun in his novel “Saka no Ue no Kumo”（坂の上の雲,Clouds on the hill). On the other hand, there are many writers and critics who defend Nogi Shogun.

Globally, General Nogi of the Army and Admiral Togo, who commanded the Japanese Navy, are regarded as the generals who led the Russo-Japanese War to victory. In any case, it is surprising that the Meiji era began in 1868, and that only 36 years later, they had a war with Russia, one of the world's strongest countries.

If you go to Nogi Shrine and Nogi House, you may be able to feel the spirit of the Meiji era that has driven them. On the other hand, there is such a poem. "Falling snow and I fell Meiji was far away!"

Entrance of Nogi House

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