自由民權運動
Itagaki and his associations created a variety of organizations to fuse "samurai" ethos with western liberalism and to agitate for a national assembly, written constitution and limits to arbitrary exercise of power by the government. These included the "Risshisha" (Self-Help Movement) and the "Aikokusha" (Society of Patriots) in 1875. After funding issues led to initial stagnation, the "Aikokusha" was revived in 1878 and agitated with increasing success as part of the Freedom and People's Rights Movement. The Movement drew the ire of the government and its supporters.