study of the English language as a means to acquire Western knowledge (esp. after the end of Japan's period of isolation); English literature; British studies
to gnaw; to nibble; to bite; to dabble in; to know a little bit about; to learn a little of
to prove successful; to take hold; to amount to something
government service; entering government service; finding a new lord or master to serve (of a ronin)
troublesome; bothersome; burdensome
daily employment; hiring by the day; day laborer; day labourer
to employ; to hire; to take on; to charter (a car, boat, etc.); to hire
views; opinion; discernment; pride; self-respect
to get fed up with; to get sick of; to become disgusted with
will not do; do not; does not
Tokugawa shogunate (1603-1867); Edo shogunate
framework (of a building); foundation; mainstay; support; supporter
Satsuma (former province located in the west of present-day Kagoshima Prefecture); sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas)
the whole world; the whole country; society; the public; supremacy over a nation; government of a country; having one's own way
Kōzuke (former province located in present-day Gunma Prefecture)
shogunate; bakufu; shogun's headquarters; Imperial Guards office; residence of the Imperial Guards commander
win; victory; beautiful scenery; scenic spot; counter for wins
loyalty to the Emperor (especially during the late Edo period movement to overthrow the shogunate)
overthrow of the shogunate
ability; gift; talent; sai; traditional unit of volume, approx. 1.8 ml
Iwakura Tomomi (1825-1883)
Satsuma and Chōshū (clan alliance)
use; utilization; utilisation; application
common; commonplace; pulp paper; granulated sugar
Tosa (former province located in present-day Kochi Prefecture)
in the mountains; within the grounds of a temple
Hizen (former province located in present-day Saga and Nagasaki prefectures, excluding Tsushima and Oki Islands)
to be onto a good thing; to make money without working; to line one's pockets
meeting; assembly; party; society; association; club
Tsu (city in Mie); harbour; harbor; ferry
name; given name; title; fame; renown; pretext
head of family; head house; sōke; founder (of a style, etc.); originator
protection; defence; support; safeguarding; championship; vindication
person; character; one's character; one's personality; able person; talented person
level; standard; level (amount or quantity); level (plane); level (instrument); spirit level
older brother; elder brother; brother-in-law (spouse's older brother or older sister's husband)
to avenge (someone) by striking down their killer
father; father (e.g. of a discipline); pioneer (e.g. of field of research); God; Father
opposition; resistance; insubordination; defiance; hostility; rebellion
parched; dried-up; empty; hollow; rattling; clattering
silent; still; quiet; hushed