Count Kawamura Sumiyoshi | |
|---|---|
 Japanese Admiral Kawamura Sumiyoshi | |
| Native name | 川村 純義 |
| Born | (1836-12-18)December 18, 1836 |
| Died | August 12, 1904(1904-08-12) (aged 67)[1] Japan |
| Allegiance |  Empire of Japan |
| Branch |  Imperial Japanese Navy |
| Rank |  Admiral (posthumous) |
| Commands | Imperial Japanese Naval Academy |
| Conflicts | |
| Other work | Navy Minister, Privy Councillor |
CountKawamura Sumiyoshi (川村 純義; 18 December 1836 – 12 August 1904), was an admiral in theImperial Japanese Navy. Kawamura's wife Haru was the aunt ofSaigō Takamori.
A native ofSatsuma, Kawamura studied navigation atTokugawa bakufu naval school atNagasaki, theNagasaki Naval Training Center. In 1868, he joined his Satsuma clansmen, and fought on the imperial side in theBoshin War of theMeiji Restoration as an army general. He was especially noted for his role in theBattle of Aizu-Wakamatsu.
Under the newMeiji government, he became an officer in the fledgling Imperial Japanese Navy, and steadily rose through the ranks. He became first Director of theImperial Japanese Naval Academy in 1870 andtaifu (senior vice minister) of Navy in 1872. He was in command of Japanese naval forces during theTaiwan Expedition of 1874.
During theSatsuma Rebellion, he was placed in command of all Imperial troops in September 1877 at the finalBattle of Shiroyama nearKumamoto, whenSaigō Takamori was killed (or committedseppuku). This battle, Saigō's last stand against the Meiji government, was the historical basis for the 2003 filmThe Last Samurai.
In 1878, Kawamura becamesangi (councillor) and the second Navy Minister. He remained in that position until 1885 except when he was temporarily replaced byEnomoto Takeaki, and during that period he expanded the influence of people from Satsuma within the navy.
In 1884, he was ennobled with the title ofhakushaku (count) under thekazoku peerage system. Later serving as court councillor andPrivy Councillor, in 1901 he was given responsibility for the upbringing of the newbornPrince Michi (the future Emperor Hirohito) and his younger brotherPrince Chichibu (Yasuhito).[2]
In 1904, Kawamura was posthumously appointed to the rank ofadmiral, setting a precedent for such honors. His cause of death remains unknown, setting a mystery.
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