23The seven wise forefathers

These are the seven wise forefathers of the Saga Domain who made the greatest contributions. Nabeshima Naomasa, after ruling as the 10th lord and working to modernize the domain, became the Commissioner for the Hokkaido Colonization Office of the new Meiji government. Sano Tsunetami founded Hakuai-sha, the predecessor organization of the Japanese Red Cross Society. Shima Yoshitake conducted the construction of Sapporo City's urban area. Soejima Taneomi was successful as a diplomat, and protected the human rights of Chinese workers in the Maria Luz Incident. Ohki Takatoh established the foundation of the education system, and proposed moving the capital to Tokyo. Etoh Shinpei made many proposals regarding bureaucratic reformation in the new Meiji government, and also created the foundation of the justice system. Okuma Shigenobu served twice as prime minister, founded Waseda University, and helped establish the railroad system.