Liner Notes

Volume 7: Shadow of the Wolf

• Satcho - "Satcho" is an abbreviation for "SATsuma and CHOshin." Therefore, the expanded form is written out in the translation.
  
  
• Kyoto Shoshidai - A job in the government of the Edo period often referred to as just "Shoshidai." Stationed in Kyoto, the Shoshidai was in charge of supervising all contact with the royal family of Japan, as well as being the supervisor for the magistrate in the Kyoto, Fushimi, and Nara districts. However, the position was abolished in 1867.
  
  
• Mibu - Mibu is a district of Kyoto, centralizing around a road that crossed the west end of the city from the north to the south.
  
  
• Aku-Soku-Zan - As made obvious by the literal translation "Wicked - Immediate - Slay" (and Saitou's line before the first mention of this term), this motto is basically stating that any evil seen by the follower of the motto will be slain on the spot.
  
  
• soba - "Soba" the plant is buckwheat. "Soba" the noodle is a thin noodle made from buckwheat flour. In this case, "soba" refers to the latter.
  
  
• Genroin - A legislative body that formed during the early years of the Meiji era. It was in charge of making and passing laws. Although it was set up in 1875, it was disbanded in 1890 with the formation of the current Diet. Also, the same term can refer to the old parliament / senate in ancient Rome (Latin: senatus).
  
  
• Toshizo Hijikata - 1835 - 1869.
  A swordsman during the Meiji Revolution originally from the Musashi area. He entered the Shinsengumi in 1863 and helped fight for the city of Kyoto as the #2 man. After losing the battle at Toba - Fushimi, he fled east to fight the Imperial Army. Fighting for the old regime, he died in the battle of Hakodate (the final battle of the Boshin Wars.)
  
  
• Toshimichi Okuba - 1830 - 1878.
  A politician of the Meiji Revolution / Restoration era originally from the Satsuma area. He led the Satsuma warriors along with Takamori Saigo to defeat the shogunate regime and bring about the revolution. He basically had control of the post-revolutionary government and served as the first Secretary of the Interior. After the Seinan Wars (see below), he was assassinated via stabbing by a group led by Ichiro Shimada (therefore, in real life the "leader" of the thugs that arrive after Soujirou in this series really do kill Okuba).
  
  
• Boshin Wars- 1868 - 1869.
  A general term for most of the fighting between the old shogunate followers and the members of the new Imperalist government. Major battles include the battle of Toba-Fushimi, the battle of Ueno, the Nagaoka/Aizu area battles, and the battle of Hakodate.
  
  
• Seinan Wars- Revolt in 1877 led by Takamori Saigo. It is the final revolt (and the largest) by the samurai descendants. It began in February when Saigo (after quitting his job with the Imperial government) stood up with others in Kagoshimi, but they were defeated by the Imperial army before they could conquer Kumamoto Castle. The ordeal ended in September of the same year with Saigo's suicide.