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.
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).