intellectuals; intelligentsia; educated class
comical pair; pair of buffoons
fictitious; imaginary; fanciful; aerial; overhead
to be foolish; to be stupid; to be ridiculous
hard; tough; hardware; hard disk
to curse; to cast a spell; to haunt; to cause a bad result; to bring about a negative outcome
wife; bride; (one's) daughter-in-law
taking dictation; note-taking
Satchō Alliance; 1866 alliance between the feudal domains of Satsuma and Chōshū
enmity; antagonism; hostility
to turn the rudder of a ship; to change direction (of policy, etc.)
to compile; to bring together; to weave; to put together; to bring to a conclusion; to wrap up
to mesh (of gears); (fig.) to be in sync (of people, organizations, etc.)
to disturb; to prevent; to obstruct; to hinder
Namamugi Incident (August 1862); Kanagawa Incident; Richardson Affair
offender; criminal; culprit
delivery; handing over; turning over; extradition
Anglo-Satsuma War (1863); Bombardment of Kagoshima
just before one's eyes; in one's presence; personally
reckless; thoughtless; rash; ill-advised; impulsive; mad (e.g. scheme)
shogunate marital union with the Imperial Family
cooperation; tie-up; joint business; partnership; alliance; sponsorship
August; eighth month of the lunar calendar
eighteenth day of the month; eighteen days
Maki Izumi (1813.4.7-1864.8.22)
false charge; false accusation; misrepresentation
start; leaving; marching off
proceeding to the capital (Tokyo)
common orient clam (Meretrix lusoria)
doing (with resolve); carrying out (e.g. a plan)
blockade; lockdown; sealing off (an area); freezing (funds)
Kanmon Straits (between Honshu and Kyushu)
envoy; diplomat below the rank of ambassador (e.g. deputy chief of mission, charge d'affaires); minister (of legation)
planning; scheming; maneuvering; manoeuvring
kiheitai (irregular militia during the Bakumatsu period)