From liner notes: Saigo Takamori, famous Japanese leader of Restoration days, is an outstanding figure in Amamian patriotism. After playing a leading role in the Meiji Restoration (1864-68) he perished at the head of the rebellious samurai who Quixotically challenged the new Imperial conscript army in the "Satsuma Rebellion." During an earlier political exile, Saigo lived on Okiyerabu for two years; subsequently he maintained a summer home in the northern end of Great Amami. Saigo composed this shigin to express gratitude to Seisho Tsuchimochi of Yerabu, for hospitality during his exile. In Japan Proper, Saigo has become a sort of patron saint of militarism; in Amami, he is remembered for kindness and devotion to the welfare of the people.