Sakamoto Ryōma: The Samurai Who Dreamed of a Modern Japan

At over 170 centimeters, Ryōma was tall compared with other Japanese of his time. (Courtesy of the National Diet Library)

Ryōma’s favorite short sword went on display for the first time at a recent Tokyo exhibition.

A statue at the Sakamoto Ryōma Memorial Museum in Kōchi Prefecture.

A copy of the first letter Ryōma sent to his sister Otome after illegally leaving his domain in 1862. The red arrow shows where he writes about becoming a disciple to “the most important person in Japan” Katsu Kaishū.

A copy of a letter to Otome. The red arrow indicates where he wrote “I want to wash Japan clean.”

Ryōma’s writing in vermilion ink on the back of the Satsuma-Chōshū alliance agreement (copy).

A replica of the Kameyama Shachū flag. The company later became Kaientai, affiliated to the Tosa domain.

A later version of Ryōma’s eight-point plan (copy).

An exhibit recreates Ryōma’s assassination in silhouette.

A letter from Ryōma to his sister Otome describes part of his honeymoon—said to be Japan’s first—with his wife Ryū. It includes notes on the illustration, almost like a modern guidebook.

The life-sized picture to the right, provided by exhibition sponsor Softbank, usually hangs on the office wall of the company’s chief executive officer Son Masayoshi, who is a big Ryōma fan.