1. Overview
Oku Yasukata (奥 保鞏Oku YasukataJapanese, January 5, 1847 - July 19, 1930) was a distinguished Japanese field marshal and a prominent figure in the early Imperial Japanese Army. Rising from a samurai family in Kokura Domain, his military career spanned the turbulent years of the Meiji Restoration through the First Sino-Japanese War and critically, the Russo-Japanese War. Oku's operational prowess, particularly as commander of the Japanese Second Army during the Russo-Japanese War, cemented his reputation as a brilliant tactician. Despite his significant achievements, he was known for his humility and political disinterest, often reflecting on the profound human cost of the conflicts he commanded. This article aims to explore his life and career, while also considering the broader societal impacts and human elements of his military actions.
2. Early Life and Background
Oku Yasukata's formative years were shaped by his samurai lineage and the intense political and military changes that led to the overthrow of the Tokugawa shogunate.
2.1. Family and Upbringing
Oku Yasukata was born in Kokura (modern-day Kitakyūshū, Fukuoka Prefecture) on January 5, 1847, as the eldest son of Oku Riemon Honori, a retainer of the Ogasawara clan from the Kokura Domain in Buzen Province. His childhood name was Tamejiro. At the age of 15, he was adopted into the main Oku family by Oku Yasuyoshi, succeeding as the head of the household. He then changed his name to Shichirozaemon, serving as a horse guard and receiving a stipend of 300 koku. He later served as a page and troop leader within the domain.
2.2. Involvement in Meiji Restoration
During the tumultuous period of the Bakumatsu, Oku initially followed his lord, who sided with the Tokugawa shogunate, participating in the Chōshū expeditions. However, the tide of change saw him join the reformist military forces from the nearby Chōshū Domain. These forces were instrumental in the struggle to overthrow the shogunate and bring about the Meiji Restoration. In January 1869, he was appointed Ashigaru (foot soldier) captain and subsequently traveled to Tokyo for studies the following month. In May 1871, he was appointed commander of the 4th permanent platoon. By June of the same year, he formally entered the Imperial Japanese Army, serving as a platoon leader in the 2nd battalion of the Saikai Chindai (West Sea Garrison), and in November became an Army Captain cadet, assigned to the Chinzei Chindai (later Kumamoto Garrison). He was promoted to Army Captain in April 1872 and stationed at the Kagoshima branch office.
3. Military Career
Oku Yasukata's career in the Imperial Japanese Army saw him steadily rise through the ranks, participating in several key conflicts that shaped modern Japan.
3.1. Early Military Service and Rebellions
In August 1873, Oku was transferred to the Kumamoto Garrison as a company commander. He participated in the suppression of the Saga Rebellion, where he sustained injuries. In June 1874, he was promoted to Army Major and appointed commander of the 11th Infantry Battalion, subsequently serving in the Taiwan Expedition of 1874 in August of the same year. In February 1875, he became a battalion commander of the 13th Infantry Regiment and was involved in the suppression of the Shinpūren Rebellion.
During the Satsuma Rebellion (also known as the Seinan War), Oku played a crucial role. From February 21, 1877, he participated in the siege defense of Kumamoto Castle. On April 8, before dawn, he led an infantry battalion in a daring breakthrough of the Satsuma army's encirclement, successfully linking up with government forces (the flanking army) that had landed behind the Satsuma lines. During this breakthrough, he was shot, with a bullet penetrating from his mouth to his cheek. Despite the severe injury, he reportedly pressed his left hand against the wound and continued to command with his right hand holding his sword, showing unwavering resolve. On April 20, he became the acting commander of the 14th Infantry Regiment of the Kumamoto Garrison. In November 1878, he was promoted to Army Lieutenant Colonel and formally appointed commander of the 14th Infantry Regiment. He later served as commander of the 10th Infantry Regiment and was promoted to Army Colonel in February 1882. After commanding the 2nd Imperial Guard Infantry Regiment, he was promoted to Army Major General in May 1885, taking command of the 7th Infantry Brigade. He subsequently held positions as commander of the 1st Imperial Guard Infantry Brigade, Chief Military Aide to the Crown Prince, and commander of the 2nd Imperial Guard Infantry Brigade. From February to September 1894, he traveled to Europe on official duty.
3.2. First Sino-Japanese War
In November 1894, Oku Yasukata succeeded Nozu Michitsura as the commander of the Fifth Division of the Japanese First Army and was deployed to the First Sino-Japanese War the following month. For his distinguished military service, he was elevated to the title of Baron (danshaku) under the Kazoku peerage system in August 1895. Following the war, he held successive significant posts, including commander of the Imperial Guards (October 1897) and Governor-general for the defense of Tokyo (January 1898), a position he held until April 1900. He also served as Eastern Governor from April 1900 until January 1904. In October 1902, he traveled to British India for official duty, returning in March of the following year. In November 1903, he was promoted to Army General.
3.3. Russo-Japanese War
Oku Yasukata was appointed a Military Councillor in January 1904. With the outbreak of the Russo-Japanese War in March 1904, he was dispatched to the front as the commanding general of the IJA 2nd Army. His leadership and tactical acumen during this conflict were particularly noted, contributing significantly to several major battles. Mori Ōgai, a renowned writer and military physician, served under Oku as the Second Army's chief medical officer during this period.
3.3.1. Battle of Nanshan
The Japanese Second Army, initially composed of the 1st Division, 3rd Division, 4th Division, and 1st Cavalry Brigade, was tasked with securing Dalian as a strategic base on the Liaodong Peninsula. Between May 5 and 13, 1904, the Second Army landed on the Liaodong Peninsula. The assault on the Russian-held Nanshan position began at 5:00 AM on May 26. The Second Army faced immense difficulties against the strong Russian fortifications and relentless machine gun fire, suffering heavy casualties. However, Oku steadfastly refused to abandon the attack, pressing forward with fierce assaults. At 5:00 PM, with supporting naval bombardment from Imperial Navy gunboats, the Japanese forces launched a final charge, finally occupying Nanshan by 8:00 PM. The cost was staggering, with 4,387 Japanese casualties (killed and wounded). Upon hearing the casualty figures, the Imperial General Headquarters in Tokyo reportedly questioned if a zero had been added by mistake, indicating the shock at the losses. This costly victory further solidified Oku's reputation as "Oku of Nanshan." After this battle, the 1st Division was transferred to the Third Army for the siege of Port Arthur.
3.3.2. Battle of Goryeongpo
After the capture of Dalian, the Second Army's composition was reorganized to include the 3rd Division, 4th Division, 5th Division, 1st Field Artillery Brigade, and 1st Cavalry Brigade. The army then began its northward advance towards Liaoyang. On June 14, the Second Army clashed with a Russian force of 40,000 advancing south from Liaoyang at Delisi (Goryeongpo), approximately 130 mile (210 km) south of Liaoyang. In a two-day battle, the Second Army effectively utilized flanking maneuvers to repel the numerically superior Russian forces. This victory was crucial in sealing the isolation of Port Arthur, making its eventual fall inevitable.
3.3.3. Battle of Liaoyang
Following the victory at Delisi, the 6th Division was added to Oku's command. The Second Army achieved further victories at Gaiping and Dashiqiao. Although the 5th Division was later transferred to the Fourth Army, by August 4, Oku's forces were positioned to threaten Liaoyang. The Second Army, along with the Fourth Army, commenced operations on August 25, following the First Army's initiation of action on August 24. Anshan Station was occupied without resistance. However, the subsequent assault on Shoushanbao encountered tenacious resistance, resulting in a horrific, bloody battle described as a "mountain of corpses and river of blood." It was here that Major Tachibana Shuta, who would later become the first "military god" of the Imperial Japanese Army, was killed. The Second Army briefly captured Shoushanbao on the morning of August 31 but it was retaken, pushing the Second Army to the brink of collapse. However, the Russian forces were disrupted by the First Army's flanking attack on September 1. Oku's forces pursued the retreating Russians, and by the morning of September 4, the Japanese army had occupied the Liaoyang area.
3.3.4. Battle of Sand River
On October 2, 1904, the Russian army, anticipating supply shortages for the Japanese, launched a counter-offensive. In response, the Japanese army initiated a turning and encirclement operation centered on the right-wing First Army. The left-wing Second Army began its resolute advance on October 10. Particularly between October 13 and 14, Oku's forces launched intense, continuous night attacks along the left bank of the Shaho River. This aggressive action led the Russian high command to a critical miscalculation, believing the Japanese army possessed vast reserves. The Second Army continued its offensive until October 17, at which point the Russian forces began to retreat. However, the Second Army, at the limits of its strength, lacked the capacity for a sustained pursuit.
3.3.5. Battle of Sandepu
On January 25, 1905, a Russian force of approximately 100,000 men launched an attack on the Akiyama Detachment, an 8,000-strong unit primarily composed of the 1st Cavalry Brigade, infantry, artillery, and engineers, commanded by Major General Akiyama Yoshifuru, which was defending the Japanese army's extreme left flank and belonged to the Second Army. The Akiyama Detachment bravely resisted along four key positions: Lidadun, Hanshantai, Shendaanbao, and Heigoutai. The Manchurian Army headquarters urgently dispatched the 8th Division as reinforcements. However, the 8th Division's command misjudged the enemy situation, forcing the temporary abandonment of the Heigoutai position, and the 8th Division itself became encircled and counterattacked on January 26. The Second Army dispatched its 3rd Division to assist, but poor coordination from the Manchurian Army headquarters, including piecemeal troop deployment and the hasty formation of a temporary army (the Tatsumi Army, under Lieutenant General Tatsumi Naofumi, commander of the 8th Division), hampered swift operational response. Finally, on January 28, the 3rd and 5th Divisions successfully repelled the Russian forces attacking the Akiyama Detachment's right flank. A major night assault by the 8th and 5th Divisions on the Heigoutai position resulted in a complete rout of the Russian forces.
3.3.6. Battle of Mukden
The Battle of Mukden, the final major land battle of the Russo-Japanese War, commenced on February 22, 1905, with operations by the Yalu River Army. The Second Army, under Oku's command, comprised the 3rd, 4th, 6th, and 8th Divisions, the Akiyama Detachment, and three reserve brigades, and was responsible for the central-left flank of the Japanese forces. It began its artillery bombardment on February 27 and continued attacks until March 7. Russian resistance was fierce, making forward progress difficult. However, on the night of March 7, the Russian forces suddenly began to retreat, as their command mistakenly believed they were being encircled by the Japanese army. From March 8, the Japanese launched a furious pursuit, and on March 10, the Second Army, along with the Fourth Army, successfully occupied Mukden. Despite this victory, the Japanese army had exhausted its offensive capabilities, marking the effective end of major land operations in the Russo-Japanese War.
3.4. Promotions and Peerage
Oku Yasukata's career was marked by a steady ascent through military ranks and elevations within the Japanese peerage. He was promoted to Army Major in 1874, Lieutenant Colonel in 1878, and Colonel in 1882. In 1885, he became an Army Major General. His distinguished service in the First Sino-Japanese War led to his ennoblement as a Baron in August 1895. He was promoted to Army General in November 1903. Following his crucial role in the Russo-Japanese War, he was awarded the Order of the Golden Kite (1st class) in 1906 and was further elevated from Baron to Count (hakushaku) in September 1907. In October 1911, he received the largely honorary but prestigious rank of Field Marshal. In February 1912, he was appointed to the Gijokan, an advisory body to the Emperor.
3.5. Service to the Imperial Household
Beyond his active military command, Oku Yasukata also served the Imperial Household, including roles as Chief Military Aide to the Crown Prince (Tōgū Bukan-chō) and later as Tutor to the Crown Prince (Tōgū Daibu).
In December 1926, during the final moments of Emperor Taishō's life at the Hayama Imperial Villa, Oku was among the select few, including Field Marshals Tōgō Heihachirō and Inoue Yoshikane, permitted to attend the Emperor. In February 1927, for the Emperor's Taiso no Rei (Imperial Funeral), despite his own deteriorating health and a fever of 100.4 °F (38 °C), he was determined to accompany the Imperial hearse. He practiced walking with the aid of a cane to ensure he could participate in the procession and attend the funeral hall. The strain of these duties is believed to have contributed to his health decline, as he suffered a cerebral hemorrhage in the autumn of 1928, leading to partial paralysis.
4. Personal Life and Character
Oku Yasukata's personal attributes set him apart, earning him a unique reputation within the Imperial Japanese Army.
4.1. Personality and Reputation
Oku gained a reputation as a "lone wolf" due to his refusal to attend strategy and staff meetings, leading some to believe he was an independent tactician. However, his reluctance was actually due to partial deafness, which made it difficult for him to comprehend and contribute to discussions. Despite this, he was widely regarded as a brilliant tactician capable of independent action. He often communicated with his staff through written notes. Oku was also notable for being one of the first Field Marshals not from the Imperial Family or the influential Satsuma Domain and Chōshū Domain clans, a testament to his universally acknowledged command abilities and humble character. His appointment as Field Marshal was met with no objections from within the military, a rarity for an individual outside these dominant factions. It was said that among the four army commanders during the Russo-Japanese War, Oku was the only one capable of independently formulating battle plans without significant assistance from his chief of staff.
4.2. Political Disinterest and Post-War Life
Oku Yasukata showed absolutely no interest in politics throughout his life. For example, while serving as commander of the 5th Division, he refused an offer to become Governor-General of Taiwan after Katsura Tarō resigned from the post. After the Russo-Japanese War, he lived in virtual seclusion, largely forgotten by the public. When he died of an Intracranial hemorrhage on July 19, 1930, at the age of 85, many people were reportedly astonished, believing that he had passed away years prior. This general public unawareness reflected his preference for a quiet, private life away from political or social prominence.
5. Decorations and Awards
Oku Yasukata received numerous prestigious Japanese and foreign honors throughout his distinguished military career.
- Order of the Rising Sun, 4th Class (January 31, 1878)
- Order of the Rising Sun, 3rd Class (April 7, 1885)
- Commemorative Medal for the Promulgation of the Imperial Constitution (November 25, 1889)
- Order of the Sacred Treasure, 2nd Class (May 26, 1893)
- Order of the Rising Sun with Golden and Silver Rays (August 20, 1895)
- Order of the Golden Kite, 3rd Class (August 20, 1895)
- First Sino-Japanese War Medal (November 18, 1895)
- Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure (May 31, 1900)
- Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun (May 30, 1905)
- Order of the Golden Kite, 1st Class (April 1, 1906)
- Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun with Paulownia Flowers (April 1, 1906)
- Russo-Japanese War Medal (April 1, 1906)
- Taishō 3-4 War Medal (November 7, 1915)
- Taishō Enthronement Commemorative Medal (November 10, 1915)
- Taishō 3-9 War Medal (November 1, 1920)
- Grand Cordon of the Order of the Chrysanthemum (November 10, 1928)
- Shōwa Enthronement Commemorative Medal (November 10, 1928)
He also received permission to wear several foreign decorations:
- Order of the Crown of Thailand, 2nd Class (May 9, 1891)
- Order of Osmanieh, 2nd Class (June 1, 1891)
- Order of the Double Dragon, 1st Class, 2nd Grade (December 6, 1909)
- Virtuti Militari, 2nd Class (March 26, 1926)
- Order of Leopold, Grand Cross (exact date not specified, mentioned in Japanese source)
- Military Merit Order, Grand Cross (exact date not specified, mentioned in Japanese source)
- Legion of Honour, Grand Officer (exact date not specified, mentioned in Japanese source)
6. Family
Oku Yasukata had a son named Oku Yasuo, who also pursued a military career and achieved the rank of Major General.
7. Death
Oku Yasukata died on July 19, 1930, at the age of 85, from a cerebral hemorrhage. His passing surprised many, who had assumed he had already died years before, a testament to his secluded post-war life and lack of public engagement.
8. Assessment and Legacy
Oku Yasukata's military career was marked by significant achievements, contributing substantially to Japan's rise as a military power in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. However, his legacy also prompts reflection on the human cost of the conflicts he commanded.
8.1. Military Achievements and Positive Assessment
Oku's operational skills were undeniable. He was highly regarded for his ability to plan and execute operations independently, even without extensive staff support, a remarkable feat given his partial deafness. His leadership was crucial in the First Sino-Japanese War and particularly distinguished during the Russo-Japanese War, where his command of the Second Army led to pivotal victories at Nanshan, Delisi, Liaoyang, Shaho, Sandepu, and Mukden. These successes significantly contributed to the modernization and expansion of the Imperial Japanese Army, establishing its reputation on the global stage. His advancement to Field Marshal, despite not being from the politically dominant Satsuma or Chōshū factions or the Imperial Family, highlights the universal recognition of his competence and strategic genius within the military establishment.
8.2. Criticisms and Controversies
While Oku Yasukata was celebrated for his tactical brilliance, his career, like many military leaders of his era, was intertwined with the immense human cost of warfare. The Battle of Nanshan, for instance, exemplified his tenacious command but came at the price of over 4,000 Japanese casualties. Oku himself was characterized by a profound sense of humility and a remarkable lack of interest in personal glory or politics. A poignant anecdote recounts his reaction upon returning from the Russo-Japanese War: seeing the cheering crowds waving national flags, he reportedly murmured, "I am sorry, please forgive me," expressing what is believed to be his deep remorse for the countless soldiers who died under his command. This sentiment reveals a rare self-awareness and a somber reflection on the devastating human toll of the victories he helped achieve, offering a more nuanced perspective on his legacy beyond mere military triumph. His quiet, almost reclusive, post-war life further underscores his detachment from the pomp and power associated with his rank, reflecting a personal burden concerning the consequences of war.