Background
Soldier. Born in Kagoshima Prefecture. When a British fleet bombarded Kagoshima (1863), he was among the samiurai of the Satsuma Clan who defended the city. In the civil war of the Meiji Restoration (1868), he fought at Fushimi and Toba near Kyoto, then at Aizu (Fukushima Prefecture) and Hakodate (Hokkaido). Was appointed a major general (1872). Participated also in the campaign against
Takamori Saigo's rebellion (1877). Was promoted to lieutenant general (1877). Michitsura N ozu, famous soldier, was his younger brother.