ABSTRACT
In the eighth year of the Bun-kwa era, corresponding to a.d. 1811, during the reign of the Emperor Kokaku, was born in the little town of Matsu-shiro in Shinano province, a man who was destined to leave his mark on the annals of his country for all time. His family name was Sakuma, and his common or as we might say, his baptismal name was Shuri, but to the student of history he is best known, perhaps, by his nom de plume of Shozan. Of the character of Sakuma Shozan it is impossible to write in terms of too high praise. By his countrymen he is universally esteemed a martyr to the sacred cause of enlightened progress. Sakuma was the great forerunner of that distinguished band of patriots who, in some cases at the sacrifice of their lives, and always by the whole-souled devotion of their best energies, helped to make Modern Japan.
