Otani Kikuzo
Ōtani Kikuzō | |
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General | |
Battles/wars | First Sino-Japanese War Russo-Japanese War World War I Russian Civil War
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Baron Ōtani Kikuzō (大谷 喜久蔵, Ōtani Kikuzō, 4 February 1856 – 26 November 1923) was a general in the
Military career
Ōtani was born in 1856 in Obama Domain (present day Obama, Fukui as the 7th son of a Chinese literature scholar and teacher at the han school. He began his military career by enlisting into the infantry at Osaka Garrison in 1871. In 1875 he attended the Imperial Japanese Army Academy, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant the following year. His classmates included Ōsako Naomichi and Ijichi Kōsuke and Nagaoka Gaishi. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1883 and captain in 1886. He served on the staff of the Sendai Garrison and the IJA 2nd Division, and was promoted to major in 1892. He commanded a battalion of the IJA 8th Infantry Regiment. Two years later he joined the Imperial Japanese Army General Staff Office in Hiroshima where he served during the course of the First Sino-Japanese War.
He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1895 and became chief-of-staff of the
In 1902, Ōtani was elevated to
In the aftermath of the Japanese entry into World War I and the subsequent Japanese occupation of Tsingtao Kikuzo became the commander of the Japanese garrison in the city.[1]
In 1918, Japan joined the Allies in a joint
In 1919, he was appointed inspector general at the Inspectorate General of Military Training. He retired from active service a year later and was elevated to baron. On 1 November 1920, Ōtani was awarded the Order of the Golden Kite for his role in World War I and the Siberian intervention. He died in 1923,[1] and his grave is at the Aoyama Cemetery in Tokyo. Accomplishments: During his military career, Ōtani displayed strong leadership skills and a deep understanding of logistics and training. He was known for his discipline and attention to detail, which earned him the respect and admiration of his subordinates.
In addition to his accomplishments in the military, Ōtani was also involved in diplomatic and political affairs. As the commander of the Japanese garrison in Tsingtao, he played a crucial role in the Japanese occupation of the city during World War I. His strategic planning and coordination contributed to the success of the operation.
One of Ōtani's most notable assignments was his leadership role in the Japanese expeditionary force during the Russian Civil War. In 1918, as the head of the Vladivostok Expeditionary Force, he commanded a substantial force of 60,000 men, including the 12th Division and the 5th Division. Working alongside Chief of Staff Yui Mitsue, Ōtani played a vital role in the Allied Siberian Intervention.
Under Ōtani's command, the Japanese forces in Siberia aimed to support the White movement against the Bolsheviks. They worked to maintain stability in the region and prevent the spread of communism. Ōtani's strategic decisions, including the order to cut off eastern Transbaikal from the Bolshevik-controlled Far Eastern Republic, contributed to the creation of the Chita holdup. This move helped secure important positions and hinder the Bolshevik advance.
In recognition of his contributions during World War I and the Siberian intervention, Ōtani was awarded the Order of the Golden Kite on 1 November 1920. This prestigious honor highlighted his significant role in Japan's military efforts during those critical times.
After retiring from active service, Ōtani was elevated to the noble rank of baron. He continued to be involved in military affairs and held the position of inspector general at the Inspectorate General of Military Training. However, his career was cut short when he passed away in 1923. His grave can be found at the Aoyama Cemetery in Tokyo.
Lieutenant General Kikuzo Ōtani's legacy as a military leader, strategist, and diplomat remains significant in Japanese military history. His contributions during World War I, the Russian Civil War, and his overall dedication to the Japanese armed forces have left a lasting impact on the country's military traditions and achievements.
Decorations
Japanese
- 1895 – Order of the Golden Kite, 4th class[3]
- 1904 - Order of the Sacred Treasure, 4thlass [4]
- 1904 - Order of the Sacred Treasure, 3rd class [5]
- 1906 – Order of the Rising Sun, 2nd class [6]
- 1906 – Order of the Golden Kite, 2nd class[7]
- 1912 – Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure [8]
- 1915 – Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun
- 1920 – Order of the Golden Kite, 1st class
- 1920 – Order of the Rising Sun: Grand Cordon of the Paulownia Flowers
Foreign decorations
Knight Grand Cross, Order of St Michael and St George (UK) | ||
Grand Officer, Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus (Italy) | ||
Grand Cross, Order of the Star of Romania (Romania) | ||
War Merit Cross (Italy) | ||
Médaille militaire (France) | 1919 | |
Czechoslovak War Cross 1918 (Czechoslovakia) |
References
Further reading
- Petin, Dimitry (2015). "Документы Временного правительства автономной Сибири о хождении военных денег Сибирской экспедиции японских войск" [Documents of the Temporary government of autonomous Siberia regarding the circulation of Japanese military currency]. Modern History of Russia (in Russian). 14 (3). Saint Petersburg State University: 236–246. Retrieved 8 May 2018.
- Sarkisov, Konstantin (2017). "Японская интервенция в Сибири. Прелюдия (Часть 2)" [Japanese intervention in Siberia. Prelude (Part 2)]. Yaponskie Isledovania (in Russian). 4 (1). . Retrieved 8 May 2018.
- Ando, Yoshio, ed. (1993). 陸軍大将大谷喜久蔵の年譜 [A History of the Army General Kikuzo Otani] (in Japanese).