Sakamoto Ryōma

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In this Japanese name, the family name is Sakamoto.
Sakamoto Ryōma
Sakamoto Ryoma.jpg
Born January 3, 1836
Kōchi, Tosa Domain
(present day Kōchi Prefecture)
(present day Kyoto Prefecture)
Cause of death Assassination
Other names Imina　　Naokage, Naonari
Occupation Samurai, politician
Spouse(s) Narasaki Ryō
Parent(s) Hachihei (Naotari), Sachi

Sakamoto Ryōma (坂本 龍馬?, January 3, 1836 – December 10, 1867) was a Japanese prominent figure in the movement to overthrow the Tokugawa shogunate during the Bakumatsu period in Japan. One of his most noted accomplishments during this period was the negotiation of peace between Chōshū (present day Yamaguchi Prefecture) and Satsuma (present day Kagoshima Prefecture), two powerful provinces that had long been hostile to each other. He then united them against the Bakufu, the government that supported the Tokugawa shogun. Ryōma frequently used the alias Saitani Umetarō (才谷梅太郎?) during this period, as he was often hunted by Bakufu supporters, such as members of the Shinsengumi. He was ultimately attacked and murdered, along with his companion Nakaoka Shintarō, at an inn in Kyoto. Although many suspects have been named the identities of the assassins have never been confirmed.

Early life[edit]




When Ryōma completed his studies in 1858, he returned to Tosa. In 1862, his friend, Takechi Hanpeita (or Takechi Zuizan), organized the Tosa Loyalist Party "Kinnoto". Their political slogan was, "Revere the Emperor, Expel the Foreigners". It consisted of about 200 samurai, mostly from the lower rank, who insisted on the reform of the Tosa government. Since the Tosa lord refused to recognize the group, they plotted to assassinate Yoshida Toyo (who was later assassinated, but after Ryōma had left Tosa). Ryōma participated in the plot but did not advocate it; Takechi demanded a revolution for only the Tosa clan, and Ryōma thought they should do something for all of Japan. He decided to leave Tosa and separate from Takechi. In those days, no one was permitted to leave their clan without permission, on penalty of death. One of Ryōma's sisters committed suicide because he left without permission. Sakamoto would later use the alias "Saitani Umetarō" (才谷 梅太郎) as he worked against the shogun.[2] He is mentioned under this alias in the diary of Ernest Satow for 30 September 1867: "Mr. Saedani had to be sat up for laughing at the questions put by us, evidently with the object of ridiculing us out of our case, but he got a flea in his lug and shut up making the most diabolical faces." [3]

Bakumatsu period[edit]





Ryōma was an admirer of democratic principles. Ryōma began studying democratic governance, particularly the United States Congress and British Parliament as a model for the governance of Japan after the Restoration. Ryōma argued that after centuries of having little political power, the Imperial Court lacked the resources and wherewithal to run the country. Ryōma wrote the "Eight Proposals While Shipboard" (『船中八策』) while discussing the future model of Japanese government with Gotō Shōjirō on board a Tosa ship outside Nagasaki in 1867. Ryōma outlined the need for a democratically elected bicameral legislature, the writing of a Constitution, the formation of a national army and navy, and the regulation of gold and silver exchange rates. Ryōma's proposals are thought to form the basis for the subsequent parliamentary system implemented after his death.





Teradaya inn, Kyoto, where Ryōma was attacked in a failed assassination attempt, before being fatally injured at Omiya Inn.

Ryōma was a visionary who dreamt of an independent Japan without feudal trappings. He read about the West and was inspired by the example of the United States where "all men are created equal". He realized that to compete with an industrially and technologically advanced outside world, the Japanese people needed to modernize. He has also been seen as an intriguing mix of the traditional and modern, symbolized by his preference for samurai dress while favoring western footwear.[citation needed]


Honors in modern times[edit]






  • Father Yahei (Imina Naotari)
  • Mother Sachi


  • Iyo


  • Gonbei (the elder)


  • Chizu (the eldest)
  • Ei (the second)
  • Tome (the third)



  • Tarō (adopted child, Chizu's child)

In popular culture[edit]

An April 2010 Japan Times article wrote "Ryōma has inspired at least seven television drama series, six novels, seven manga and five films."[5] His appeal stems from being "the kind of person onto whom anyone can project themselves", as actor Masaharu Fukuyama described his role playing him in the NHK drama Ryōmaden.[6]


Sakamoto appears in the historical manga Shura no Toki, which was later adapted into the anime, Mutsuen Meiryū Gaiden: Shura no Toki. In addition, he also makes appearances, with varying levels of historical accuracy, in numerous other manga, anime, and video games.

Sakamoto appears in Kamen Rider Ghost as the Ryoma Ghost Eyecon, one of the 15 Heroes' Ghost Eyecons that contain the souls of important historic figures. It first appears as one of the five Ghost Eyecons in the possession of Chikara Saionji. After Takeru Tenkuji uses the 15 Heroes' Ghost Eyecons to restore Kanon Fukami, the Ryoma Ghost Eyecon is one of the two Ghost Eyecons that go missing. The Ryoma Ghost Eyecon possesses Nagamasa Tamura and tells Takeru that he'll join him if Takeru can form a 'Satchō Alliance' between Nagamasa and his father, Sachinoshin. Takeru succeeds and the Ryoma Ghost Eyecon exits Nagamasa's body and joins Takeru. Takeru/Ghost transforms into his dragon-like/samurai Ryoma Damashii form and defeats the Planet Ganma.

Sakamoto was the inspiration for Sakamoto Tatsuma, the leader of the Kaientai trading fleet in the anime Gintama.The Sakamoto Ryoma museum has also been featured in the long running anime show Detective Conan to educate the younger generation.

In Ryū Ga Gotoku Ishin!, the second samurai-themed spinoff to the Yakuza series, Sakamoto Ryōma is the main protagonist played by Takaya Kuroda.


See also[edit]


  1. ^ Kyodo, Staff Report, "Sakamoto swordsmanship scroll declared authentic", The Japan Times, Nov 9, 2015
  2. ^ Hongo, Jun, "Sakamoto, the man and the myth", The Japan Times, April 27, 2010, p. 3.
  3. ^ R. Morton & I. Ruxton, eds., The Diaries of Sir Ernest Mason Satow, 1861-69, Kyoto: Eureka Press, 2013, p. 262.
  4. ^ Gombrich, Marius, "Crime scene investigation: Edo: Samurai Sakamoto Ryoma's murder scene makes a grisly but fascinating show", The Japan Times, May 7, 2010, p. 15.
  5. ^
  6. ^ Corkill, Edan (January 3, 2010). "Legendary, dirty samurai gets makeover". The Japan Times. Retrieved January 3, 2010. 


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