aster to commit _hara-kiri_ as the
only way in which his own honor and the dignity of the Tokugawa clan
could be preserved. He offered to join him in this tragic ceremony,
but the ex-shogun declined to end his life in this way. Thereupon
the devoted retainer retired and in the presence of his own friends
himself committed _hara-kiri_.

_ 318 American Diplomatic Correspondence_, April 3, 1868.

319 An English translation of this memorial will be found in Black's
_New Japan_, vol. ii., p. 84. It shows what prejudices the statesmen
of that day had to overcome. See also _American Diplomatic
Correspondence_, 1868, p. 727.

320 See _Kinse Shiriaku_, Yokohama, p. 116.

321 See _Kinse Shiriaku_, Yokohama, p. 125. Also _American Diplomatic
Correspondence_, March 14, 1871.

322 This house was one of the five regent families (_go-sekke_) all of
the Fujiwara clan, from whom the _kwambaku_, _daijo-daijin_, or
_sessho_, the highest officers under the emperor, were always filled
and from which the emperors selected their wives.--Dickson's _Japan_,
p. 52.

323 See Chamberlain's _Things Japanese_, 1892, p. 300.

324 Adams' _History of Japan_, vol. ii., p. 126. _American Diplomatic
Correspondence_, May 30, 1868.

325 Iyenaga's _Constitutional Development of Japan_, p. 33.

326 See the despatch of Sir Harry Parkes, _British State Papers_, Japan,
1870.

327 See Iyenaga's _Constitutional Development of Japan_, p. 35.

328 See _British State Papers_, 1870, Japan.

329 A translation of this memorial will be found in the _British State
Papers_, 1870, Japan; also cited in Adams' _History of Japan_, vol.
ii., p. 181.

330 See an analysis of the daimyos who joined in this memorial in
_British State Papers_, 1870, Japan.

331 See _British State Papers_, 1870, Japan.

332 See Prince Azuki's _Memorial_.

333 See Kido's Original _Memorial_.

334 See Mounsey's _Satsuma Rebellion_, pp. 247, 248.

_ 335 Treaties and Conventions between Japan and Other Powers_, Tokyo,
1864, p. 646.

_ 336 Treaties and Conventions between Japan and Other Powers_, Tokyo,
1884, p. 171.

337 This castle was built by Kato Kiyomasa after his return from the
Korean war. It still stands, being one of the most notable castles
of Japan.

338 See p. 47.

339 See p. 380.

340 This