Synopsis
This light animation from TOCHKA depicts Takamori Saigo, born in Kagoshima in 1828 and celebrated as the last true samurai, deeply loved by the people of the city. He is famous for committing seppuku during the 1877 Battle of Shiroyama, yet his actual appearance remains unknown because no photographs exist—only engravings and sketches survive. The creators consulted Saigo’s own descendants to learn about his physical features and personality. In the animation, Saigo wanders the streets and the area around Sakurajima, an active composite volcano near Kagoshima. This experimental film was made using penlights.