Did the real Samurai leader of the 1877 rebellion lose his life?
Yes. Saigo Takamori (who is the influence for the Katsumoto character), the Samurai leader in real life, killed himself in shame by committing suicide, a tradition for Samurai leaders that lost a battle. But in death, the people of Japan honored Takamori as a beloved historic figure and leader. Statues of Takamori appear in Kagoshima Central Park and Ueno Park in Tokyo.
