life counterpart to Katsumoto (played by  Ken Watanabe (qv)) is Takamori Saigo, who led a samurai rebellion  in 1877. As in the movie, Saigo ended up committing suicide in  September 1877 after defeat in battle. The Emperors attitude in the  film toward Katsumotos struggle and death reflects actual Japanese  popular sentiment toward Saigo, who though defeated, was regarded as  a hero; a statue of Saigo was erected shortly after his death, and  can today be seen in Ueno, in northeast Tokyo.