Browse stories

History glossary

Satsuma

a powerful southwestern Japanese domain central to the overthrow of Tokugawa rule.

Category
Domain
Region
Japan
Date range
Tokugawa-Meiji transition

What it means

Satsuma was a powerful domain in southwestern Japan. Its samurai and leaders helped form the anti-Tokugawa coalition, shaped the early Meiji government and later became associated with the Satsuma Rebellion of 1877.

Related terms

Stories using this term

A weekly route through history

Find out first about the latest published stories, feature notes and occasional Premium offers in one weekly email.