佐賀の乱
Naotora departed Japan with his elder brother Nabeshima Naohiro in 1873 for studies in Great Britain, returning to Japan only in 1882. During his stay in England, many of his former retainers perished in the Saga Rebellion and he found himself in disfavor with the new Meiji government. However, through the efforts of his brother Naohiro after his return to Japan, he was awarded the peerage title of viscount ("shishaku") under the "kazoku" system.