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Old Japanese postcard, portraying Count Oku Yasukata with medals. Violett commemorative cancellation.
Count Oku Yasukata (1847-1930) was a Japanese field marshal and leading figure in the early Imperial Japanese Army.
Appointed a commander of the new Imperial Japanese Army, Oku fought against the insurgents during the Saga Rebellion of 1871. He was later a survivor of the Taiwan Expedition of 1874. During the Satsuma Rebellion, he defended Kumamoto Castle during its siege as commander of the 13th Infantry Regiment.
During the Russo-Japanese War, Oku went to the front as commanding general of the IJA 2nd Army and was noted for his role in the Battle of Nanshan, Battle of Shaho, Battle of Mukden, and other campaigns.
Oku was awarded the Order of the Golden Kite (1st class) in 1906, and elevated from baron to hakushaku (count) in 1907. In 1911, he received the largely honorary rank of Field Marshal.
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