Statue of Omura Masujiro, Tokyo

Ōmura Masujirō (1824 - 1869) was a prominent figure in Japan during the Bakumatsu period. He held significant influence in the realm of military leadership and strategic thinking. Often referred to as the "Father of the Modern Japanese Army," Ōmura dedicated substantial effort to the establishment of the Yasukuni Shrine.

Following his demise, a bronze statue was erected in his honor by Okuma Ujihiro. This statue found its place at the grand entrance of the Yasukuni Shrine, a place of great importance in Japan. The shrine was constructed to commemorate Japanese individuals who had lost their lives in battles, making it one of the most frequently visited and esteemed shrines in the country. Notably, Ōmura's statue was a pioneering example of Western-style sculpture in Japan.

Ōmura's concepts for modernizing Japan's military were posthumously implemented by his devoted followers, including Yamagata Aritomo, Kido Takayoshi, and Yamada Akiyoshi. Among them, Yamada Akiyoshi played a pivotal role in putting Ōmura's ideas into action. He achieved this by establishing new military academies that taught Ōmura's principles. Furthermore, Yamagata Aritomo and Saigo Tsugumichi were also influenced by Ōmura's ideas when they introduced legislation in 1873 that mandated universal military conscription.

Ōmura's vision included a desire for the French military mission to return in 1872 to assist in the training and equipping of Japan's new army, a vision that came to fruition. Although Ōmura did not live to witness the full realization of many of his innovative concepts, the enduring impact he had on his followers paved the way for his policies and ideas to significantly influence the development of the Meiji military in the years that followed.