writers claimed that it reflected Nogi's disgust with the profligacy and decline in moral values of late Meiji Japan. Others pointed to Nogi's own suicide note, calling it an act of atonement for mistakes in his military career. In either case, Nogi's suicide marked the end of an era, and it had a profound impact on contemporary writers, such as Mori Ōgai, Kuroiwa Ruikō and Natsume Sōseki. For the public, Nogi became a symbol of loyalty and sacrifice. The epic historical novel Saka no Ue no Kumo portrays Nogi as floundering at the Siege of Port Arthur and having to be relieved by Kodama Gentarō. Several books have been released in recent years rehabilitating Nogi's image and showing he was a competent leader. Man of letters Nogi is also noted in Japan as a man of letters. His Kanshi poems (poems in the Chinese language) were especially popular among the Japanese during his time. Three of his Kanshi poems are famous. Right after the Battle of Nanshan of 1904, in which he lost his eldest son, he wrote: After the battle of 203 Hill of 1904–05, in which he lost his second son, he lamented: After the end of the Russo-Japanese War, he wrote: Honors Peerages 1895: Baron (August 20) 1907: Count (September 21) Decorations 1897: Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure (June 26; Second Class: April 29, 1894) 1906: Grand Cordon of the Order of the Golden Kite (April 1) (Third Class: August 20, 1895) 1906: Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun with Paulownia Flowers (April 1). (Second Class: August 20, 1895; Third Class: April 7, 1885) 1905: Pour le Mérite (January 10) 1907: Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour (April 16) 1909: Chilean Gold Medal of Merit (April 28) 1911: Grand Cross of the Order of the Star of Romania (October 25) 1911: Honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO) 1911: Honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath, Military Division (UK) (GCB) (January 1). Court order of precedence 1871: Senior seventh rank (December) 1873: Sixth rank (June 25) 1879: Senior sixth rank (December 20) 1880: Fifth rank (June 8) 1885: Senior fifth rank (July 25) 1893: Senior fourth rank (April 11) 1896: Third rank (December 21) 1904: Senior third rank (June 6) 1909: Second rank (July 10) 1916: Senior second