Statue of Saigō, Ueno Park

The bronze statue of Saigō Takamori features the samurai in a casual yukata, walking his dog. Saigō led the imperial forces during the Meiji Restoration, but later died leading a rebellion against the very government he helped create. His widow reportedly burst into laughter upon seeing the finished sculpture, famously noting that her husband never dressed in such informal clothes, nor did he ever walk a dog in that manner. The statue remains a polarizing figure of revolution and loyalty.