the daimyo of a feudal domain owned by a Tokugawa family branch
the best medicine (i.e. sake)
good wine makes good blood; sake is the best of all medicines
lighter; (small) cargo vessel
the last drop makes the cup run over; too much of a good thing; less is more
Boshin War (Japanese civil war between Imperial and shogunate forces; 1868-1869)
fifth month of the lunar calendar; satsuki azalea (Rhododendron indicum)
hereditary daimyo (whose ancestors supported Tokugawa Ieyasu prior to the battle of Sekigahara)
revere the Emperor; expel the western barbarians (19th century slogan)
to boil well; to stew; to simmer (for a long time); to cook (various ingredients) together
to have grown tense (of a situation); to have become critical (and to be on the verge of a major upheaval)
already; as early as; at the earliest; at the soonest
Shōgitai (group of former Tokugawa retainers opposed to the Meiji government and fought in the battle of Ueno)
around the end of (a period of time)
(a place) out of one's reach
fateful; decisive (e.g. war)
sensible; perceptive; quick to understand; understanding; sympathetic
permit (to pass, enter, etc.); pass
to slander; to libel; to criticize; to criticise
rottenness; decay; corruption
to waver in one's resolution
Bunkyū era (1861.2.19-1864.2.20)
by force of circumstance; in the circumstances; given the circumstances
order; command; directions; instructions
wintry desolation; poor business conditions
to meet fortuitously (e.g. running into an old friend); to meet by chance; to happen across
Ōu (the two former provinces of Mutsu and Dewa); Tōhoku
understanding (of people's circumstances and feelings); perceptiveness; sympathy; wisdom
western army (e.g. in a civil war); Western Army (Battle of Sekigahara)
to be attacked by a disease
Dutch studies; studies of Western knowledge
ruler of the whole country; person who holds the reins of government