Page "Satsuma Rebellion" Paragraph 36

After Saigō rejected a letter dated September 1 from Yamagata drafted by a young Suematsu Kenchō ( see M. Matsumura, Pōtsumasu he no michi, pub.

Hara Shobo, 1987, Chapter 1 ) asking him to surrender, Yamagata ordered a full frontal assault on September 24, 1877.

By 6 a. m., only 40 rebels were still alive.

Saigō was severely wounded.

Legend says that one of his followers, Beppu Shinsuke acted as kaishakunin and aided Saigō in committing seppuku before he could be captured.

However, other evidence contradicts this, stating that Saigō in fact died of the bullet wound and then had his head removed by Beppu in order to preserve his dignity.