noun
Satsuma clan; Satsuma faction
Historical term referring to the powerful political and military clique from the former Satsuma domain (modern Kagoshima) that dominated the early Meiji government.
明治政府の初期は薩摩閥と長州閥が実権を握っていた。
In the early Meiji government, the Satsuma and Chōshū cliques held real power.
A general term for domain-based cliques in the Meiji period; 薩摩閥 is a specific example.
Compound of 薩摩 (Satsuma, the former province/domain) and 閥 (clan, clique, faction).