nntsuzu/KFTT huggingface dataset:
English: He served Nobunaga from 1567 and he showed distinguished war service with Ieyasu TOKUGAWA in the Battle of Anegawa in 1570.
Japanese: 永禄10年（1567年）からは信長に仕え、元亀元年（1570年）の姉川の戦いでは徳川家康と共に戦功を挙げた。
English: Since then he continued to show talent in his military exploits fighting on successive fronts in Omi Province, Settsu Province, Ise Province and Echizen Province and was therefore rewarded Shimizu-jo Castle in Mino.
Japanese: その後も近江国、摂津国、伊勢国、越前国など各地に転戦して武功を発揮したことから、美濃清水城を新たに与えられた。
English: He took part in the Ishiyama War, the attack on the Asakura clan in 1573, the attack on the Nagashima Ikko Ikki Revolt (an uprising of Ikko sect followers in Nagashima) in Ise Province in 1574, the Battle of Nagashino in 1575 and the attack on Kaga Ikko Ikki Revolt (an uprising of Ikko sect followers in Kaga) in Kaga Province in 1580, and he showed distinguished service throughout.
Japanese: 石山戦争をはじめ、天正元年（1573年）の朝倉氏攻め、天正2年（1574年）の伊勢国長島一向一揆攻め、天正3年（1575年）の長篠の戦い、美濃岩村城攻め、天正8年（1580年）の加賀国加賀一向一揆攻めに参加して武功を挙げた。
English: After Nobunaga died in the Honnoji Incident in 1582, he planned to become an independent daimyo (Japanese feudal lord) in Mino Province.
Japanese: 天正10年（1582年）に信長が本能寺の変で死去すると、美濃で独立した大名になろうと画策する。
English: The family of Morinari ANDO, who were once exiled by Nobunaga, attacked their former territories Kitakata-jo Castle and Honda-jo Castle, which were territories of Inaba then, aiming for their reinstatement.
Japanese: かつて信長に追放されていた安藤守就の一族が、復権を目指して現在は稲葉領となっている旧領の本田城や北方城を攻撃した。
English: In January 1583, he fought against the lord of Ibi-jo Castle, Hannojo HORIIKE who was an adopted son-in-law, and then he ruled the territory.
Japanese: 天正11年（1583年）1月、娘婿である揖斐城主・堀池半之丞と戦い、その領地を支配下に置いた。
English: At the Battle of Shizugatake in 1583, he followed Hideyoshi to attack Nishiho-jo Castle of the Fuwa clan who followed Katsuie SHIBATA.
Japanese: 天正11年（1583年）の賤ヶ岳の戦いでは、秀吉に与して柴田勝家に与した不破氏の西保城を攻めた。
English: He took part in the Battle of Komaki and Nagakute in 1584 and showed distinguished service.
Japanese: 天正12年（1584年）の小牧・長久手の戦いにも参加し、武功を挙げた。
English: In 1585, Hideyoshi became Kanpaku (chief adviser to the Emperor) and he was given the Jusanmi (Junior Third Rank), Hoin (a priest of the highest rank in the highest managerial position).
Japanese: 天正13年（1585年）に秀吉が関白になると、従三位・法印に叙された。
English: At the Battle of Anegawa, Nobunaga ODA generously said to Ieyasu TOKUGAWA 'you can take anyone from my retainers.'
Japanese: 姉川の戦いのとき、織田信長は徳川家康に「我が手の者なら連れて行きなされ」と気前よく言った。
English: However, Ittetsu spoke his innocence while reading bokuseki (wrinting) on the wall by a Zen priest Kido Chigu and therefore Nobunaga believed that Ittetsu was not guilty.
Japanese: しかし、床にかけられた禅僧の虚堂智愚の墨蹟を読みながら自己の無実を述べたので、信長は一鉄の無罪を信じたと言う。
English: This shows that Ittetsu excelled in literary talent, and not only military prowess.
Japanese: これは一鉄が武勇だけでなく、文才にも優れていたことを示すものである。
English: An aspect to his character was being stubborn, therefore the word Ganko Ittetsu (written: 頑固一徹 and meaning adamant) was said to be born from his name 'Ittetsu.'
Japanese: 頑固な一面があり、そのことから号の「一鉄」にかけられて、頑固一徹の言葉が生まれたとされている。
English: He protested through Nobunaga about Toshimitsu serving Mitsuhide AKECHI, but Mitsuhide did not accept it, as Mitsuhide highly regarded Toshimitsu.
Japanese: 利三が明智光秀に仕えた際は信長を通じて抗議したが、利三を高く評価していた光秀には容れられなかった。
English: Although he was meant to be adopted into another family, he ultimately became the adopted son of Naoaki II, the 12th lord of the domain.
Japanese: 本来ならば他家に養子に行く身であったが、兄で12代藩主・井伊直亮の養子となる。
English: He took initiative in Ansei no Taigoku (the suppression of extremists by the Shogunate) and was assassinated outside the Sakuradamon Gate by a feudal retainer of the Mito Domain (the Sakuradamongai Incident), who then left the domain in opposition of Ansei no Taigoku.
Japanese: 安政の大獄を行なって反対派を処罰したが大獄に対する反発から桜田門外において水戸藩脱藩藩士らに暗殺された（桜田門外の変）。
English: On November 29, 1815, Naosuke was born as the 14th son of Naonaka II, the 13th lord of the domain, at Hikone-jo Castle in Inukami County, Omi Province (present Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture).
Japanese: 文化(元号)12年（1815年）10月29日、第13代藩主・井伊直中の十四男として近江国犬上郡の彦根城（現在の滋賀県彦根市）で生まれる。
English: Because he was an illegitimate son, he had no prospects for adoption and thus spent 15 years--between the ages of 17 and 32--as a heyazumi (an adult-age eldest son who has yet to come into his inheritance), subsisting on Sutebuchi alms, which amounted to a salary of 300 bales of rice.
Japanese: 庶子であったため、養子の口も無く、17歳から32歳までの15年間を300俵の捨扶持の部屋住みとして過ごした。
English: He likened himself to umoregi (an unflowering bogwood), and lived as a hermit in a house called Umoreginoya.
Japanese: 自らを花の咲くことのない埋もれ木にたとえ、埋木舎（うもれぎのや）と名付けた住宅で、世捨て人のように暮らした。
English: He also showed intelligence from an early age, learning Waka (a traditional Japanese form of poetry with thirty-one syllables), Tsuzumi (hand drum), Zen, the art of the spearmanship, and batto-jutsu (the art of drawing a sword).
Japanese: そのほかにも和歌や鼓、禅、槍術、抜刀術を学ぶなど、聡明さを早くから示していた。
English: In 1846, with the death of Naomoto II (the 11th son of Naonaka and Naosuke's elder brother), who was the heir of the 14th lord Naoaki (the third son of Naonaka and Naosuke's elder brother), therefore, Naosuke (the 14th son of Naonaka) was adopted as the heir to the Hikone Domain and appointed to Jushiino Jiju (Junior Fourth Rank Chamberlain) and Genba-ryo (the Office of Diplomacy and Buddhism).
Japanese: ところが弘化3年（1846年）、第14代藩主で兄の直亮の世子であった井伊直元（直中十一男、これも兄にあたる）が死去したため、兄の養子という形で彦根藩の後継者に決定し、従四位侍従兼玄蕃寮に叙位・任官する。
English: When Naoaki passed away in 1850, Naosuke took the reins of the family, becoming the 15th lord of the domain, and transferred to Kamon no Ryo (the Bureau of Palace Upkeep) (Kamon no Kami).
Japanese: 嘉永3年（1850年）、直亮の死去を受け家督を継いで第15代藩主となり、掃部寮（かもんのかみ）に遷任する。
English: In 1853, he took an active part in the defense of Edo Bay (Tokyo Bay) against Matthew PERRY's fleet from the United States of America.
Japanese: 嘉永6年（1853年）、アメリカ合衆国のマシュー・ペリー艦隊来航に伴う江戸湾（東京湾）防備に活躍した。
English: However, when Masahiro ABE, head of the Roju (the shogun's council of elders), requested advice regarding the demands of America, Naosuke insisted upon the opening of Japan to the West, saying, 'We should take measures appropriate to the situation and should actively trade with foreign nations.' (Some view Naosuke's opinion towards the opening of Japan as 'politically expedient').
Japanese: しかし、老中首座の阿部正弘がアメリカの要求に対する対策を諮問してきたときには、「臨機応変に対応すべきで、積極的に交易すべきである」と開国を主張している（ただし、直弼の開国論を「政治的方便」とする説もある（人物・逸話））。
English: Around this time, between the Kaei era and Ansei era, the shogunate was led by Masahiro ABE, head of the Roju.
Japanese: このころ幕政は、嘉永から安政年間にわたって老中首座の阿部正弘によってリードされていた。
English: Abe reformed the shogunate from one that had traditionally been based on fudai daimyo (the daimyo in hereditary vassal to the Tokugawa family) to one that operated in cooperation with powerful domains, including those of Nariaki TOKUGAWA and Yoshinaga MATSUDAIRA and he also made Nariaki take an active role in the shogunate as an adviser for the coastal defense department.
Japanese: 阿部は、幕政を従来の譜代大名中心から雄藩（徳川斉昭、松平慶永ら）との連携方式に移行させ、斉昭を海防掛顧問（外交顧問）として幕政に参与させた。
English: This, however, was unacceptable to Naosuke, who was "open country wing," and also the head of the Tamarinoma, one of the shikoseki (anteroom seats for feudal lords and direct retainers of the shogun at Edo-jo castle).
Japanese: しかしこれは、溜間（江戸城で名門譜代大名が詰める席）の筆頭であり、また自ら開国派であった直弼としては許しがたいものであった。
English: Conflict between the lords of the Tamarinoma (including Naosuke), Masahiro ABE, and Nariaki TOKUGAWA came to a head with a discussion in the Saiko no Ma (West Lake Room) of Edo-jo Castle regarding the conclusion of the treaty between the United States of America and the Empire of Japan.
Japanese: 直弼ら溜間詰諸侯と、阿部正弘・徳川斉昭の対立は、日米和親条約の締結をめぐる江戸城西湖の間での討議で頂点に達した。
English: Nariaki pressured Abe and demanded the replacement of two Roju members: Noriyasu MATSUDAIRA and Tadakata MATSUDAIRA.
Japanese: このため斉昭は阿部に迫り、老中の松平乗全、松平忠固の2名の更迭を要求する。
English: On August 4, 1855, Abe ultimately removed the two from the Roju.
Japanese: 安政2年（1855年）8月4日、阿部はやむなく両名を老中から退けた。
English: This decision was based on Noriyasu and Tadakata both being "open country and commerce wing," as well as the fact that Noriyasu and Naosuke were on good terms with each other and exchanged personal letters.
Japanese: 乗全、忠固はともに開国・通商派であり、また乗全と直弼は個人的に書簡をやり取りするほど親しかったからである。
English: Naosuke protested vigorously and pressured Abe to supplement someone who shared the same view with the Tamarinoma to the Roju as soon as possible.
Japanese: 直弼は猛烈に抗議し、溜間の意向を酌んだ者を速やかに老中に補充するよう阿部に迫った。
English: Abe inevitably appointed Masayoshi HOTTA (the lord of the Shimousa Sakura Domain and also "open country wing") of the Tamarinoma to head of the Roju, after which the conflict was ended for a time.
Japanese: 阿部はこれまたやむなく溜間の堀田正睦（開国派、下総佐倉藩主）を老中首座に起用し、対立はひとまず収束した。
English: It is said that the lords of the Tamarinoma, led by Naosuke, retaliated against the dismissal of Tadakata and Noriyasu to some extent.
Japanese: これは乗全、忠固の罷免に対して、直弼を筆頭とする溜間諸侯が一矢報いた形といえる。
English: In 1857, soon after Masahiro ABE passed away, Masayoshi HOTTA reappointed Tadakata MATSUDAIRA to the Roju, and then the shogunate shifted to the coalition cabinet of Hotta-Matsudaira, reflecting the intentions of the Tamarinoma.
Japanese: 安政4年（1857年）、阿部正弘が死去すると堀田正睦は直ちに松平忠固を老中に再任し、幕政は溜間の意向を反映した堀田・松平の連立幕閣を形成した。
English: Moreover, he recommended Yoshitomi TOKUGAWA, the lord of the Kii Domain, as heir to the 13th shogun Iesada TOKUGAWA, which deepened the conflict with Nariaki TOKUGAWA of the Hitotsubashi Group (a group supporting Yoshinobu from the Hitotsubashi-Tokugawa family), who had recommended Yoshinobu TOKUGAWA.
Japanese: さらに第13代将軍・徳川家定の将軍継嗣問題で紀伊藩主の徳川慶福を推挙し、徳川慶喜を推す一橋派の徳川斉昭との対立を深めた。
English: On April 23, 1858, Naosuke was appointed to Tairo (chief minister) of the Edo bakufu through the political maneuvering of certain members of the Nanki Group (a group supporting Yoshitomi from the Kishu-Tokugawa family), such as Tadakata MATSUDAIRA and Tadanaka MIZUNO.
Japanese: 松平忠固や水野忠央（紀州藩付家老）ら南紀派の政治工作により　安政5年（1858年）4月23日、直弼は江戸幕府の大老に就任した。
English: On June 19, right after the appointment and without Imperial sanction from Emperor Komei, Naosuke signed the Treaty of Amity and Commerce between the United States and Japan.
Japanese: 就任直後の6月19日、直弼は孝明天皇の勅許を得られぬまま　アメリカと日米修好通商条約に調印した。
English: He placed the responsibility for signing without Imperial sanction on Masayoshi HOTTA and Tadakata MATSUDAIRA, who were supposed to be a part of his own faction, and dismissed them from the Roju, and in their place, Naosuke appointed three new members: Sukemoto OTA, Akikatsu MANABE and Noriyasu MATSUDAIRA.
Japanese: 無勅許調印の責任を、自派のはずの堀田正睦、松平忠固に着せ、両名を閣外に逐い、かわりに太田資始、間部詮勝、松平乗全の3名を老中に起用した。
English: In that time of civil disorder and highly-active Sonno Joi-ha (supporters of the doctrine to restore the emperor and expel foreigners), Naosuke tried to restore public order through the power of the state.
Japanese: 尊皇攘夷派が活動する騒擾の世中にあって、強権をもって治安を回復しようとした。
English: Regarding the issue of succession to Shogun Iesada, who was in poor health, Naosuke supported Yoshitomi TOKUGAWA, lord of the Kishu Domain, and had him become the 14th shogun, Iemochi TOKUGAWA.
Japanese: 病弱な将軍・家定の後継問題では紀州藩主の徳川慶福を擁立して第14代将軍徳川家茂とした。
English: He had the Mito-Tokugawa family, including Nariaki TOKUGAWA and Yoshinaga MATSUDAIRA, who supported Yoshinobu HITOTSUBASHI, put under house arrest and relegated talented riryo (government officials), such as Toshiakira KAWAJI, Tadanori MIZUNO, Tadanari IWASE and Naoyuki NAGAI.
Japanese: 一橋慶喜を推薦する水戸徳川家の徳川斉昭や松平慶永らを蟄居させ、川路聖謨、水野忠徳、岩瀬忠震、永井尚志らの有能な吏僚らを左遷した。
English: He also dismissed Hirochika KUZE, a member of the Roju, and Katsukiyo ITAKURA, who was a jisha-bugyo (a magistrate of temples and shrines) who opposed Naosuke's policy in the cabinet.
Japanese: また閣内でも直弼の方針に反対した老中・久世広周、寺社奉行・板倉勝静らを免職にした。
English: Enraged by Naosuke's policies, Emperor Komei issued Bogo no Micchoku (a secret imperial decree) to the Mito Domain and called for the II's expulsion, disregarding the order of samurai families.
Japanese: 直弼の対応に憤った孝明天皇は、戊午の密勅を水戸藩に下し、武家の秩序を無視して大名に井伊の排斥を呼びかける。
English: This unprecedented political involvement by the Imperial Court hardened the bakufu's stance, and Naosuke ordered the Mito Domain to refuse the secret imperial decree.
Japanese: 前代未聞の朝廷の政治関与に対して幕府は態度を硬化させ、直弼は水戸藩に密勅の返納を命じる。
English: Naosuke purged many patriots and Kugyo (court nobles), including the imperial prince Nakagawa no Miya Asahiko, since the start of Ansei no Taigoku (suppression of extremists by the Shogunate), which earned him resentment from the Sonjo faction.
Japanese: こうして開始した安政の大獄において多数の志士（活動家）や公卿（中川宮朝彦親王）らを粛清したが、尊攘派の怨嗟をうけた。
English: On March 3, 1860, Naosuke was assassinated by ronin (masterless samurai) from the Mito Domain outside of the Sakuradamon Gate of Edo-jo Castle (the Sakuradamongai Incident).
Japanese: 安政7年（1860年）3月3日に江戸城桜田門付近において水戸藩浪人に暗殺された（桜田門外の変）。
English: Presently, there are bronze statues of him in Kamon-yama Park in Yokohama City, as well as in Hikone-jo Castle, created by ex-feudal retainers of the domain to honor him publicly for carrying out the opening of Japan.
Japanese: 現在、彦根城内の他に横浜市の掃部山公園内に開国断行を顕彰して、元藩士らにより銅像が建てられた。
English: After his death, Ansei no Taigoku (suppression of extremists by the Shogunate) was declared illegal, and the Hikone Domain was punished by a reduction in territory to 100,000 koku (18,039 cubic meters) by order of the bakufu in 1862.
Japanese: 死後の文久2年（1862年）、安政の大獄を行なったことを罪にされて、幕命により彦根藩は10万石減封されている。
English: Hikone City and Mito City overcame their historical tensions and formed 'a sister city' relationship in 1968, on the 100th's anniversary of the start of the Meiji era.
Japanese: なお、彦根市と水戸市は、明治百年を契機に歴史的わだかまりを超え、昭和43年（1968年）に「親善都市」提携を行った。
English: When Naosuke was still a heyazumi (an adult-age eldest son who has yet to come into his inheritance), he devoted himself to many hobbies, including Sado, Nohgaku (the art of Noh theater), Confucianism, Japanese classical literature, the Soto sect of Zen Buddhism, calligraphy, painting, poetry, as well as Japanese martial arts: swordplay, spearmanship, Japanese archery, gunnery, and jujutsu.
Japanese: 部屋住みの時代に儒学、国学、曹洞宗の禅、書、絵、歌、剣術・抜刀術・槍術・弓術・砲術・柔術などの日本武術、茶道、能楽などの多数の趣味に没頭していた。
English: He was devoted to the creation of Noh masks and owned one set of the required instruments.
Japanese: 能楽方面では能面作りに没頭し、能面作りに必要な道具を一式揃えていた。
English: He also showed talent as a playwright of Kyogen, composing 'Oni ga Yado' (literally, 'Inn of an Ogre') and attempting a re-composition of 'Tanuki no Haratsuzumi' (a story of a raccoon dog and a huntsman, commonly known as "Hikone Danuki," or "A Raccoon Dog in Hikone), which had been a haikyoku (a Noh song no longer performed).
Japanese: また、新作狂言「鬼ヶ宿」の制作や、廃曲となっていた「狸の腹鼓」の復曲（いわゆる「彦根狸」）を試みるなど、狂言作者としての才能も持っていた。
English: A large number of foreign books and world maps, which are thought to be articles left by Naosuke, were discovered in the residence of the II family after the Meiji Restoration.
Japanese: 井伊家の館からは維新後、直弼の遺品と思われる大量の洋書や世界の地図等が発見されている。
English: They reveal much of his wisdom, as well as his idea that 'opening the country and fukoku kyohei (fortifying the country; strengthening the military) are the only way Japan can survive.'
Japanese: 「開国と富国強兵こそ日本が生き残る道」と考えていたという彼の志と博識が伺える。
English: The heavy punishments implemented through Ansei no Taigoku were detested by many, such that Naosuke came to be called 'Ii no Akaoni' ('The Red Ogre of Ii'), like Naomasa II, founder of the Hikone Domain.
Japanese: 安政の大獄における過酷な処分は多くの人々から恨まれ、彦根藩祖である井伊直政同様に「井伊の赤鬼」といわれた。
English: However, while Naomasa commanded awe and respect, there was only hatred toward Naosuke.
Japanese: ただし直政の場合は畏敬の念が含まれていたが、こちらは憎しみのあまりである。
English: Some opinions state that his assassination in the Sakuradamongai Incident caused a weakening of bakufu authority, which had been maintained through Naosuke's heavy-handed politics.
Japanese: 桜田門外の変による暗殺が、直弼の強権的な手腕で回復しかけていた幕府権威を衰退させるきっかけとなったという見方がある。
English: On the other hand, some views state that he caused a loss of morale and talent from the Shogun's retainers, as his methods through Ansei no Taigoku resulted in the expulsion of many Joi-ha (supporters of foreigner expulsion) as well as Kaimei-ha (supporters of enlightenment) bureaucrats, which led him to become a remote cause of the fall of the bakufu.
Japanese: 一方、その強権的な手腕で断行した安政の大獄では攘夷派のみならず開国を推し進めた開明派官僚まで大量に追放したため、幕臣からモラルや人材が失われ、幕府滅亡の遠因になったという見方もある。
English: Had he not been there to open the country, the history of Japan would have certainly been very different.
Japanese: 彼のような人物が現れて開国を行なわなければ、日本の歴史は大きく変わっていたといえる。
English: In that regard, Naosuke was an essential political figure in the last days of the Tokugawa Shogunate.
Japanese: その意味で直弼は幕末政治を語る際には欠かすことのできない一人である。
English: However, the opening of Japan to the West had already begun in the time of Masahiro ABE, and Naosuke's forceful methods can be viewed as a detriment to a more careful plan that involved the appointment of Kaimei-ha, research of overseas situations, and prior consultation with powerful domains such as Mito, Satsuma, and even the Imperial Court.
Japanese: ただし開国に関しては阿部正弘のころからの既定路線であり、それまで綿密に進められた水戸や薩摩といった雄藩や朝廷への根回しや海外事情の調査、開明派の人材登用による開国体制の構築が直弼の強引な手法により瓦解し、大混乱を招いたともいえる。
English: Another theory states that Naosuke's reasons for promoting the opening of Japan and signing the treaty leaned more toward temporary political strategy against such powerful lords as those in Mito and Satsuma, in fact, Naosuke was a consistent exclusionist and insisted that after the Edo bakufu restored its political power, the bakufu and the shinpan (Tokugawa's relatives) and fudai daimyo should work together to expel the foreigners in the country.
Japanese: 直弼が開国を唱えたり条約に調印したのは水戸や薩摩などの有力諸侯による幕政への介入に対抗するための一時の方策であり、直弼自身は江戸幕府が国政の実権を回復した後に幕府とこれを支える親藩・譜代大名が主体となって攘夷を行うべきであるとする一貫した攘夷論者であったとする見方もある。
English: According to this view, the punishment of Joi-ha and the powerful lords involved in Ansei no Taigoku, as well as the expulsion of foreigners (a return of national isolation) that Naosuke promoted behind the treaty, were acts taken according to 'a revival of the former system through the restoration of bakufu authority.'
Japanese: この見解によれば、安政の大獄による有力諸侯や攘夷派の処罰も、直弼が条約締結の裏で進めていた攘夷（鎖国への復帰）も、「幕府の権威回復による旧体制への回帰」という路線上にある方針であるとされている。
English: Some people, such as Ryotaro SHIBA, regard Naosuke bitterly, claiming that 'he oppressed the Joi-ha, but was not aiming for the opening of Japan to the West, even hated the West' (summary of statements in the novel "Kashin" or 'Flower God').
Japanese: 司馬遼太郎のように「攘夷派を弾圧したが開国論でもなく西洋嫌いであった（『花神(小説)』の記述を要約）」と彼に対して厳しい評価をする者もいる。
English: Tsugumichi SAIGO (June 1, 1843 [old calendar] - July 18, 1902), also called Judo SAIGO, was a Japanese samurai serving as a feudal retainer of Satsuma, politician, and military man of the Imperial Japanese Navy.
Japanese: 西郷従道（さいごうじゅうどう、天保14年5月4日(旧暦)(1843年6月1日)-明治35年(1902年)7月18日）は、日本の武士・薩摩藩士、政治家、大日本帝国海軍軍人。
English: Although "Tsugumichi" is widely known as the pronunciation of his name, one of descendants of the SAIGO Family confirmed that his name was officially pronounced as "Judo" (Refer to Episodes).
Japanese: なお名前の読みとして、「つぐみち」が広く流布しているが、西郷家の子孫によると「じゅうどう」が正式の読みである（エピソードを参照）。
English: He started working for the lord of Satsuma domain, Nariakira SHIMAZU, on the recommendation of Nobuyoshi KAIEDA and became a chabozu (tea-server) to be given an alias name, Ryuan.
Japanese: 海江田信義の推薦で薩摩藩主島津斉彬に出仕し、茶坊主となり、竜庵と号す。
English: He returned to secular life on September 30 (old calendar), 1861 to be renamed Ryuko, and he also started to use Shingo as the kemyo (common name).
Japanese: 文久元年（1861年）9月30日(旧暦)に還俗し、諱を隆興、仮名(通称)は信吾と称す。
English: In 1862, members of Seichugumi gathered in Kyoto for showing their loyalty to the Emperor and overthrowing the Shogunate, and he joined a party which was organized mainly by Shinshichi ARIMA within Seichugumi.
Japanese: 文久2年（1862年）、勤王倒幕のため京に集結した精忠組内の有馬新七らの一党に参加した。
English: When the Anglo-Satsuma War occurred in 1863, his suspension was dissolved and he applied for Kesshitai (suicide corps) to be a soldier posing as a merchant selling watermelons.
Japanese: 文久3年（1863年）、薩英戦争が起ると謹慎も解け、西瓜売りを装った決死隊に志願。
English: Although he got a serious wound caused by a gunshot penetrating his body at the Battle of Toba-Fushimi, he fought battles at various places during the Boshin War.
Japanese: 戊辰戦争では、鳥羽伏見の戦いで貫通銃創の重傷を負うも、各地を転戦した。
English: In 1874, he became an army lieutenant general and commanded the troops as a Buntijimu totoku (governor) in the Taiwan expedition of that year.
Japanese: 明治7年（1874年）に陸軍中将となり、同年の台湾出兵では蕃地事務都督として軍勢を指揮。
English: When Takamori raised a rebellion during the Seinan War in 1877, Tsugumichi did not take part in it and became a Rikugunkyo daiko (Deputy chief of the Army) to cover the absence of the government.
Japanese: 隆盛が明治10年（1877年）の西南戦争で反乱を起こした際、従道は兄隆盛に加担せず、陸軍卿代行に就任し政府の留守を守った。
English: Immediately after Toshimichi OKUBO was assassinated in 1877, he became a Sangi (councillor) and then assumed the post of Rikugunkyo (Chief of the Army) at the end of the year.
Japanese: 大久保利通暗殺直後の明治11年（1877年）には参議となり、同年末には陸軍卿になった。
English: After Kiyotaka KURODA resigned from the Chief of the Hokkaido Development Commission on January 11, 1882, he was appointed as the successor while serving as the Sangi and the Minister of Agriculture and Commerce.
Japanese: 明治15年（1882年）1月11日、黒田清隆が開拓長官を辞すると、参議・農商務卿兼務のまま開拓長官に任じられる。
English: He served as the Chief of the Hokkaido Development Commission until the Commission was abolished on February 2 of that year.
Japanese: 同年2月8日に開拓使が廃止されるまで、短期間ながら開拓使長官を務めた。
English: In accord with the Kazoku (peerage) system enacted in 1884, he received the title of Hakushaku (count) for the great achievements in the Meiji Restoration.
Japanese: 明治17年（1884年）の華族制定に伴い、維新時の偉功によって伯爵を授けられる。
English: He became a full admiral in 1894 and his title was elevated to Marquis in 1895.
Japanese: 明治27年（1894年）に海軍大将となり、明治28年（1895年）には侯爵に陞爵。
English: In 1898, he became a first navy man who received a title of Fleet admiral.
Japanese: 明治31年（1898年）に海軍軍人として初めて元帥(日本)の称号を受ける。
English: When registering his name after the Meiji Restoration, he intended to orally register his name as "Ryudo", but the officer misheard it as "Judo" due to his accent and his official name became "Judo."
Japanese: 名は維新後に太政官に名を登録する際、「隆道」をリュウドウと呼んで口頭で登録しようとしたところ、訛っていたため役人に「ジュウドウ」と聞き取られ、「従道」となってしまった。
English: In fact, the real name of Takamori SAIGO was "Takanaga" and "Takamori" was their father's name.
Japanese: ちなみに西郷隆盛も本名は「隆永」で、「隆盛」とは彼らの父の名前である。
English: However, in the Otsu incident which occurred during his tenure as the Minister of Home Affairs, he demanded the death penalty for Sanzo TSUDA, the culprit, and exerted a great deal of pressure such as intimidating the Chief of Daishin-in (Predecessor of the Supreme Court of Japan), Korekata KOJIMA,.
Japanese: しかし、内務大臣在職中に起こった大津事件に際しては犯人の津田三蔵の死刑を主張し、大審院長の児島惟謙を恫喝するなど強い圧力をかけた。
English: It is believed that he was overeager because he was strongly concerned that if Tsuda was not sentenced to death, Russia was highly likely to attack on Japan's mainland to defeat and destroy Japan.
Japanese: これは津田を死刑にしなかった場合必ずロシアによる日本本土攻撃を招き、その結果日本の敗北・滅亡となると危惧した西郷の強い憂国ゆえの勇み足であったと言われている。
English: While he was serving as the Minister of the Navy, he selected Gonbei YAMAMOTO as the Kanboshuji (director of the secretariat) of the Ministry of the Navy and allowed him to exercise his abilities, leading to the victories of the Imperial Japanese Navy in the Sino-Japanese War and the Russo-Japanese War.
Japanese: 海軍大臣時代は山本権兵衛を海軍省官房主事に抜擢して大いに腕を振るわせ、日本海軍を日清日露の戦勝に導いた。
English: As with his cousin, Iwao OYAMA, SAIGO was a large minded person and kept an attitude that relied on his subordinates for small office work without fussing over details and took responsibilities for their failures.
Japanese: 西郷は従兄弟の大山巌と同じく、細かい事務は部下に任せて殆ど口を出さず、失敗の責任は自らが取るという考えを持っており度量が大きかった。
English: It is said that SAIGO's generosity allowed YAMAMOTO, who was good at militaly administration, to fully demostrate his abilities.
Japanese: 軍政能力に長けた山本が、その手腕をいかんなく発揮できたのは、西郷自身の懐の大きい性格のお陰だとも言われている。
English: After he resigned as the Minister of the Navy, the Navy fell into a difficult situation where they needed to pay a deposit for a capital ship, but suffered from a lack of funding for it.
Japanese: 海相を退いた後、主力艦の手付金を払う必要が生じたが予算がない状況に陥った。