Katsura, Taro (1848 - 1913) Military officer and statesman. Born in Yamaguchi, the son of a samurai of the Hagi Clan. Served in the Boshin War. In 1870 he went to Germany to study. In 1875 he was appointed military attaché to the legation in Germany and went back to Europe, where he was engaged in the research and study of German military administration. After he returned to Japan in 1878, he tackled reforms of the military system and the army officer system under Aritomo Yamagata. Japanese Names, Boshin War, Military Divisions, Sengoku Jidai, Grand Cross, Military Officer