Who was Itagaki Taisuke?
Itagaki Taisuke stood among the “three giants of constitutional politics,” alongside Itō Hirobumi and Ōkuma Shigenobu. This phrase refers to the trio who helped shape Japan’s constitutional government during the Meiji era. Together, they led the transformation from a feudal military regime to a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system. Among them, Itagaki played a pivotal role by championing democratic reforms and the creation of a national assembly.
Born into a middle-ranking samurai family in Tosa, Kōchi Prefecture, Itagaki became a leading voice in the Jiyū Minken Undō (Freedom and People’s Rights Movement). He supported the Emperor during the Boshin War and was appointed sangi (councillor) in 1871. However, after advocating for military action against Korea, he was forced to resign.
Itagaki Taisuke: Political Timeline
- Public Party of Patriots (Aikoku Kōtō, 愛国公党)
Founded: 1874
Role: Co-founder
Politics: Advocated for democratic reforms and the establishment of a national assembly.
Significant Figures: Gotō Shōjirō, Etō Shinpei, Soejima Taneomi. - Society of Patriots (Aikokusha, 愛国社)
Founded: 1875
Role: Leader
Politics: Continued the push for democratic reforms and the establishment of a national assembly.
Significant Figures: Members included former samurai and rural aristocrats. - Self-Help Society (Risshisha, 立志社)
Founded: 1877
Role: Founder
Politics: Promoted self-reliance and democratic principles.
Significant Figures: Local leaders and intellectuals. - Liberal Party (Jiyūtō, 自由党)
Founded: 1881
Role: Founder and Leader
Politics: Advocated for civil liberties, democratic governance, and constitutional government.
Significant Figures: Itō Hirobumi (frequent collaborator), Ōkuma Shigenobu. - Constitutional Liberal Party (Rikken Jiyūtō, 立憲自由党)
Founded: 1890
Role: Leader
Politics: Advocated for constitutional government, civil liberties, and democratic reforms.
Significant Figures: Itagaki Taisuke, Numa Morikazu. - 1898: The Liberal Party merged with the Progressive Party (Shimpotō, 進歩党) to form the Constitutional Party (Kenseitō, 憲政党).
Role: Itagaki served as a senior advisor and influential leader.
Politics: Continued to advocate for democratic reforms and constitutional governance.
Significant Figures: Ōkuma Shigenobu, Hoshi Tōru. - Liberal Party (Jiyūtō, 自由党)
Reconstructed: 1891
Role: Leader
Politics: Continued to advocate for civil liberties, democratic governance, and constitutional government.
Significant Figures: Itagaki Taisuke, Numa Morikazu.
In 1896, Itagaki became Minister of the Interior in Itō Hirobumi’s cabinet. He remained in the role under Ōkuma Shigenobu. Four years later, in 1900, he co-founded the Rikken Seiyūkai (Friends of Constitutional Government) with Itō Hirobumi. Soon after, he retired from political life.
🪦The Gravesite
The Itagaki Taisuke grave lies just behind Shinagawa Shrine, although it falls outside the shrine’s official grounds. It sits within the mossy ruins of Kōgen-in (高源院), once a sub-temple (tatchū) of Shinagawa Tōkai-ji (品川東海寺). His wife’s grave is to the left. On the right, a stone monument bears the defiant words he shouted during a failed assassination attempt in 1882.
🔪Assassination Attempts
On April 6, 1882, a militant named Aihara Shōkei attacked Itagaki as he exited a speech hall. Armed with a 27-centimeter dagger, Shōkei stabbed him twice — once on each side of the chest — and slashed his hands and cheek before police intervened. Despite his injuries, Itagaki resisted and famously declared:
“Taisuke may die, but freedom shall never die!”
Another attempt on his life came from Washida Uzo, who tried to shoot him with a pistol. Guarding the rear of Itagaki’s rickshaw, Toshizō Satō — a former Inshū Tottori samurai and master swordsman — leapt forward and deflected the threat with a loud cry and drawn sword. Washida, tied to the Osaka gangster Kobayashi Sahei and head of the Kobe gamblers, had bribed authorities and gained freedom to operate. Knowing Itagaki’s schedule, he waited for the chance to strike, but was thwarted before he could fire.
Where is it?
| what3words | ///uniform.teachers.weekend |
| latitude longitude | 35.6184115 139.7392403 |
| Nearest station(s) | Shinbanba Station (Keikyū Main Line) Kitashinagawa Station (Keikyū Line) |
| Nearest public conveniences | Shinagawa Shrine precincts |
Show me a sign.
Not great. Some of the characters are indistinct.
Withervee says…
It’s not easy to find this small graveyard. It’s behind the Shinagawa Shrine’s Honden (本殿) – the large main shrine building. There is a pathway on the right of the Honden which you follow to the back then left behind it, then a short right then down a couple of worn stone steps.
Given the greatness of the man in his efforts to create a modern democratic Japan I’m surprised that his grave isn’t more grand. However he does have a monument at his former residence Mt. Azono in Kochi City . Also, there are statues of Itagaki Taisuke in Tokyo. One of them is located inside the National Diet Building. Along with Ito Hirobumi and Okuma Shigenobu the central hall his statue is on one corner of the central hall, the fourth pedestal being empty.
Site Character
- Lifestyle 生活 (Seikatsu): ❌
- Historical Significance 歴史 (Rekishi): ✔️
- Atmosphere/Natural Features 風土 (Fūdo): ✔️
Who in their right mind would vote for this?
- Political history buffs
- Gravestone detectives
- Freedom-of-speech fans
- Liberal democracy dreamers
- Assassination trivia nerds
Further reading
板垣退助 Japanese Wikipedia It`s a long read…
