Changes

==Early Life==

==Early Life==

Saigô was born in [[1828]] in the Shita-Kajiya-machi neighborhood of [[Kagoshima]]. His childhood name was Kokichi. He was also known as Kichinosuke, and later took on the [[art-name|pseudonym]] (''gô'') Nanshû. As a youth, he served as ''nise gashira'' (youth leader), and submitted opinions on agricultural administration which attracted the attention of Lord [[Shimazu Nariakira]], who then made Saigô one of his advisors in [[1854]].

Saigô was born in [[1828]] in the Shita-Kajiya-machi neighborhood of [[Kagoshima]], the eldest of seven children of a low-ranking samurai family. His childhood name was Kokichi. He was also known as Kichinosuke, and later took on the [[art-name|pseudonym]] (''gô'') Nanshû. As a youth, he studied at the [[Zoshikan|Zôshikan]], but suffered a serious injury at age 13, and turned away from martial arts, towards a greater focus on academic study. He later served as ''nise gashira'' (youth leader). Around age 17, he submitted opinions on agricultural administration which attracted the attention of Lord [[Shimazu Nariakira]], who then made Saigô one of his advisors in [[1854]].<ref>"His Big Eyes Saw the Winds of Change," plaque at site of Saigô's birthplace, Kagoshima.[https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/21357493630/sizes/k/]</ref>

When Nariakira died suddenly in [[1858]], Saigô joined the monk [[Gessho|Gesshô]] in a desperate act of loyalty, as both attempted to drown themselves in Kinko Bay in order to [[junshi|join their lord in death]]. Saigô survived, however, and was then exiled to [[Amami Oshima|Amami Ôshima]]. In [[1862]]/2, he was called to the capital, but was exiled again, to [[Tokunoshima]] in the sixth month, and then to [[Okinoerabu Island]] in the 8th month.<ref name=death>Plaque at site of Saigô's death, Shiroyama, Kagoshima.[https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/19641624728/sizes/k/]</ref>

When Nariakira died suddenly in [[1858]], Saigô joined the monk [[Gessho|Gesshô]] in a desperate act of loyalty, as both attempted to drown themselves in Kinko Bay in order to [[junshi|join their lord in death]]. Saigô survived, however, and was then exiled to [[Amami Oshima|Amami Ôshima]]. In [[1862]]/2, he was called to the capital, but was exiled again, to [[Tokunoshima]] in the sixth month, and then to [[Okinoerabu Island]] in the 8th month.<ref name=death>Plaque at site of Saigô's death, Shiroyama, Kagoshima.[https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/19641624728/sizes/k/]</ref>