Check out 'Remembering Aizu: The Testament of Shiba Goro' by Shiba Goro.

It's an account of his childhood during the Meji Restoration. He was from a Samurai family that supported the Tokugawa regime, and paid a dear price for it. Forcibly relocated and branded an outsider, Shiba Goro and his father struggled to cope in the rapidly transforming world.

Despite the difficult upbringing described in the memoir, Shiba Goro accomplished quite a lot. He advanced in an Imperial army largely comprised of the same clans that had all but wiped out his family. He was present in the Boxer Rebellion at the siege of Beijing, received commendations and awards (from Japan and the UK) and rose to the rank of General.

Shiba Goro died in 1945, committing suicide following Japan's surrender to the Allies at the end of WWII. His life spans an interesting period of Japanese history, covering the Imperial period basically cover to cover. It's a good read, enjoy!