This statue is the great samurai, Kusunoki Masashige. The photo is taken in the East Garden outside Tokyo’s Imperial Palace.

Statue of samurai warrior Kusunoki Masashige

This photo of the samurai Kusunoki Masashige statue was taken by me 2 years ago, and is my submission for the Japan Times Online Weekend Scene photo gallery.

The statue can be seen in the gardens surrounding Tokyo’s Imperial Palace. Kusunoki Masashige was a great samurai warrior who fought for Japan’s Emperor in the early 14 century. He is depicted riding horseback on a rearing horse, likely in tribute to his leadership of one of many great samurai battles he fought for Japan’s Emperor.