145 Years - Remembering Sakamoto Ryoma

December 10th marks the 145th anniversary of the assassination of the  visionary Samurai-Statesman Sakamoto Ryoma of Tosa. He was  indisputably the architect and founding father of modern Japan. He is immortalized in books, films, NHK Taiga Dramas (such as the recent Atsuhime & Ryomaden), and in bronze statues throughout Japan. What a different Japan would be had he not sought to kill Katsu Kaishu and by chance listened to what he had to say that opened his eyes and made Ryoma his disciple who inspired by the United States envisioned a new Japan where people were equal. Through Katsu Kaishu he realized in order for Japan to survive it had to modernize but to do that he needed to unite the various clans seeking to overthrow the Tokugawa Shogunate to work for this new Japan. He assassinated by members of the pro-shogunate Mimawarigumi at the age of 33 on his birthday at the Omiya Inn in Kyoto with Nakaoka Shintaro. He is still beloved by many in Japan 145 years after his untimely tragic death and will continue to live on in both popular culture and the hearts of many for generations to come.

なに? Sakamoto Ryoma Original Soccer Star?

Sakamoto Ryoma has to be one of the most popular figures in Japanese history. He has been the subject of numerous historical dramas, books, films, and internet blogs. I’ve always wanted to write something about Ryoma and until I came across this photo, I could no longer resist. For those of you not familiar with Sakamoto Ryoma, he was an influential Samurai from the powerful Tosa Domain during the late Bakumatsu Period of Japan (1860’s). He is best remembered as Statesmen, Visionary, and Japan’s first JFA Soccer Star. なに? Did I just say Soccer Star? Yup! That's right! You heard it here! Japan's First International Soccer Star was none other than Sakamoto Ryoma!

 なんちゃて! Ok just kidding! Ryoma was not the father of Japan's Soccer League nor did he play for the national team. In fact Futbol Soccer was not even in Japan until quite recently. But in all seriousness, I had come across the Samurai Blue website while looking for photos of Japan's national team and found this curious psuedo monument depiction of Ryoma all decked out in Samurai Blue Adidas gear at Samurai Blue Park. I about spit up my Sapporo when I first saw this photo but loved where they were going with it none the less. Samurai Blue Park is located next to National Stadium in Yoyogi Park Tokyo which was created by the Japan Football Association for the 2010 World Cup. Who knows how long the JFA will keep this open now that Japan has been eliminated from the Round of 16 in the World Cup but If you would like to see more of this park please visit the Samurai Blue’s official website at http://samuraiblue.jp/