Count Yamada Akiyoshi was a Japanese politician, samurai, and one of the early leaders of the Meiji Restoration. He served as Minister of Justice from 1885 to 1891. In his youth he was commonly known as Yamada Ichinojō; however, he changed his name frequently during the Bakumatsu period.
Yamada Akiyoshi
Takasugi Shinsaku was a samurai from the Chōshū Domain of Japan who contributed significantly to the Meiji Restoration. He used several aliases to hide his activities from the Tokugawa shogunate.
Takasugi Shinsaku
Takasugi Shinsaku in armor-clad fencing training
Takasugi Shinsaku founded the Chōshū Kiheitai, which fought against the Bakufu in the Second Chōshū expedition and the Boshin War.
Kunimatsu Mitani (left), follower of Takasugi Shinsaku (center), and Itō Hirobumi (right)