Statue of Saigō Takamori
Saigō Takamori was the Samurai who most famously opposed Japan's opening up to the West in the 1870's after the Emperor was restored to power. He was essentially a King Canute-like individual unable to stop the inevitable, but he is revered by the Japanese as one of the better examples of Samurai virtues. The film 'The Last Samurai' was loosely based upon the Satsuma Rebellion he led (and no, it didn't get that name because they were all wearing orange).