Oyama, Field-Marshal, Prince. Born in Kagoshima in 1842. Entered the Japanese Army. Was appointed colonel in 1871, promoted to major-general in the same year, lieutenant-general in 1878, general in 1891, and was raised to the rank of field-marshal in 1898. Having served as military attaché on the Prussian side during the Franco-Prussian War, upon his return to Japan he entered the ministry of war, and assisted in the work of reorganizing the army. In the Satsuma Rebellion (1877) he took command of a brigade, and played a conspicuous part in subduing the revolt. Afterwards, he was appointed under-secretary, and subsequently minister of war. When war broke out between Japan and China, he was minister of war, but he took the field as commander of the second army and captured Kinchow, Talienwan, Port Arthur, and Wei-hai-wei. In 1904, Oyama was chief of the general staff. When war broke out with Russia, he was appointed commander-in-chief in Manchuria, defeating the Russians at the three great battles of Liao-Yang, the Shaho, and Mukden. He received the order of merit, February 21, 1906, and resigned his post as chief of the general staff in April. His wife was educated in America, and took a degree. He died in 1916.

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