Here’s chapter 1! The translation of the parts talking about the economy and politics I can’t guarantee are completely accurate, it was quite difficult for me to understand. Haha I can’t understand that sort of stuff even when talking about it in English, so…just enjoy a chapter of Kunitaka’s angst and the Seikanji famiiy financial woes? There’s translation notes for a couple of things at the end, but if there’s something you didn’t understand , just ask!
-
One
This year, spring was late. Even though it was midway through April, the nights were still intensely cold, freezing one down to the core of their body. In the Ginza neighbourhood, a movie theatre he often went to had already finished business for the day, the building’s lights were out. However, from the dance hall next door he could hear music and flirtatious voices, and it oozed an atmosphere of dissolution.
Taisho 11, Spring. (1922)
The dark clouds of the recession bought about by the end of the Great War covered the Empire of Japan, but there were people who caroused, unconcerned. To avoid that reek of dissipation, Seikanji Kunitaka chose to venture into a dark alley, unlit by street lights. Even though he could take a tram or taxi, it was a shorter way to leave the main street.
Lately, the taxis cruising around the capital had increased, Kunitaka too, found them useful. If he could successfully find a taxi, would he get home to the estate sooner? As he thought about this, he suddenly heard footsteps in the alley.
As he began to hear the clattering of footsteps, from in front of him a dark mass charged toward him.
“Outta my way!”
Two people. There was barely any of the narrow path between them. The young man who had unsteadily rushed into the alley grabbed Kunitaka’s shoulder to push him aside, and subsequently staggered, and collapsed on the spot.
“Are you ok? You’re injured-“
“No… , a soldier?!”
Taken aback, the man’s eyes went wide, he spat in annoyance, at Kunitaka’s words. The man promptly caught hold of Kunitaka’s overcoat, exposing the collar of his military uniform underneath.
The overcoat Kunitaka was clad in was one of his own personal effects, and because his graceful features were unlike that of a military officer, the man perhaps had not noticed that the person before his eyes wore a military uniform.
Kunitaka, facing across from the young man, faintly illuminated by a streetlight, could see his bloodied, dirty shirt and his face, looking painfully swollen, like he’d been hit, as it emerged from the darkness.
“As expected, the nose of one of the one of the dogs of the state is doing its job, lying in wait in a place like this.”
He was still young. Just under 20. Probably a student. With such a manner of speaking, he was being chased by the authorities, that was obvious. Shattering the air, a sharp whistle echoed, the man, startled, froze in fear.
“Over there!”
“Don’t let him get away! Chase him!”
This time he could hear the sounds of multiple angry shouts and the footsteps of military issued shoes, as the man faced off against Kunitaka. From his pocket, he pulled out a knife and raised it.
Kunitaka nimbly caught his hand and wrenched it upwards.
“Fu-“ The man’s face twisted in pain, and with a hollow sound, the knife fell to the ground. Releasing the man’s hand, Kunitaka jerked his chin slightly. “Go,” he signalled.
“Eh….?”
“In a fair fight with a military officer, there’s no way I’d win. If they caught me here I’d die.” A bewildered expression crossed his face, did he think it was part of the plan to trap him?
The young man nodded slightly, and then ran as quickly as he could. Kunitaka couldn’t help but feel compassion for the stranger, but, having said that, there was also no reason to attempt to arrest him.
Adjusting the collar of his overcoat, Kunitaka tried to calmly exit the alley.
“Oi, bastard, didn’t see a man escape did you?”
The men who had come running after the young man surrounded him. The military police in khaki uniforms that Kunitaka recognised were forced to stop, because he blocked their way.
“I didn’t see anyone…and to call a person a bastard, of all things, that’s a quite a thing to say.” Kunitaka returned in a cold voice.
“Wha…!” The three military police surrounding him all looked angry. If it became an argument, it would be quite troublesome, thought Kunitaka. Then, he heard a voice he recognised.
“Stop carrying on like this. How about you confirm a person’s identity first.”
“Asano…”
His footsteps echoed, the man who had drawn near stopped in his tracks. Recognising Kunitaka, a smile came to his face.
“This fellow is the youngest to enter the Military staff College, the General Staff Headquarters having great expectations for his future, the top of the elite. Even with his pretty face, taking him lightly would not be a good idea. ”
Hearing the words ‘General Staff Headquarters’, the military police quickly straightened their pose.
“Hasn’t it been such a long time, Lieutenant Seikanji.”
The owner of that voice, it was his former friend, Asano Kaname.
Disconcerted at being discovered by the increasingly troublesome man, without showing it on his face, Kunitaka curtly opened his mouth to speak.
“You. Coming wearing an overcoat was a mistake.”
“Since you don’t look like a military officer, right” Asano, whose form was clad in the uniform of the military police regiment, stared straight into Kunitaka’s eyes.
“Right now, we were just chasing members of the red activists. Has anyone come this way?” For the military police to have come out, was the young man from before a communist after all?
As always, Kunitaka was not used to Asano’s gaze. Eyes that saw through, probed, and mercilessly tried to convict other people.
“Not particularly.”
At these words, Asano did not seem convinced, but he did not pursue the matter further. Then, he turned to his subordinates.
“Since Seikanji hasn’t seen anything, we shouldn’t need to search here. We’ll look elsewhere.”
“Yes sir!” his subordinates saluted.
After he had cleared out his people, Asano once again fixed his gaze on Kunitaka. Lightly tanned skin, and finely chiselled, well featured looks. His height exceeded 180 centimetres, Asano, whose stature was unlike that of Japanese people, had been a friend from Gakushuin School, and a classmate at the Military Academy. His mouth opened, and the smile he made was mild, but he was shrewder than he looked, something all his contemporaries knew.
When they graduated from the Military Academy he had aspired to the military police, and his nonconformist behaviour had decided it.
The military police had, yesterday, been going on a crackdown on the dissident movement, but originally their organisation had been established it was in order to inspect military personnel. If there were violations of military regulations, they possessed the authority to arrest other soldiers, due to this, from the same military personnel, they were also detested as the “snoops of the authorities”.
A post in the military police mostly went to people who for many years had served out their time in other branches of the military, and to people in certain circumstances, about to change the course of their careers. A post that should not have gone to the newly graduated Asano.
Because Asano presumed to aspire for the military police, it was rumoured by those in the know that Asano had some sort of ulterior design.
“Long time no see. I didn’t see you at last week’s class reunion.”
“I was sick in bed with a cold.”
Everyone had things they weren’t good at.
Anyhow, now, he didn’t socialise much, and even though the class reunion had been held, what would he do about it? The things of the past, the memories of the past, at this point, they had no meaning.
“Since you’ve got time, want to have a drink?”
“Aren’t you in the middle of professional duties? What are you saying?” Kunitaka scowled at Asano, and he laughed cheerfully.
“Unfortunately , today’s mission was a failure. We’ll have to rethink our countermeasures. When it comes down to it, you’re a far more attractive option.”
If that was the case, there would have to be a written report of the situation, but Asano was not at all in a state of concern over it.
“You really…don’t change.” The words cast at him set Kunitaka’s teeth on edge.
Even so, if it was the case that Asano hadn’t realised what Kunitaka had done, he was thankful.
Having said something careless, rather than holding onto his weakness, Kunitaka quickly tried to excuse himself from the scene. The moment he tried to say the words to excuse himself, Asano’s fingers suddenly held up his chin and forced him to look upwards. Kunitaka’s expression tightened.
“What the-“
“You’re a guy who doesn’t get it. Letting that man get away, I’m saying I’ll write it off.” At that cold and lifeless voice pouring into his ears, Kunitaka shivered.
“But the proof that I let that man escape?”
“Evidence…none. But being you, you probably let them escape. You don’t follow anything through.” Asano advanced several steps, and picked up the knife that had fallen on the road.
Was this all that could be done?
“Oh, look at this, lost property.” Asano passed it over to Kunitaka and smiled.
“You’re wrong. It’s not because I don’t follow things through…but because I’m a hypocrite.” He wouldn’t evade the question any further, and Kunitaka muttered as such.
At any rate, this country was not yet used to communism and democracy. Sooner or later, that young man would be captured. Because he knew that, Kunitaka had let him go. The miserable fact was, Kunitaka had simply not wanted to get his hands dirty.
“A hypocrite, eh? As always, you’re far too serious.” Asano’s mocking voice fanned Kunitaka’s discomfort.
“Will you at least listen? Going drinking with me, or investigating, what will it be?”
“I’d rather investigate.” Kunitaka’s reply was immediate.
“Well then, it’s decided. Drinking it is.” Asano, having decided, grabbed Kunitaka’s arm.
“Asano…!”
“Quiet! Are you of a mind to trample all over the heart of a friend who desires to renew an old friendship?”
Soon enough, Asano spotted an izakaya. “Let’s go here,” he murmured. Kunitaka could overhear lively voices. As soon as he was peremptorily pushed inside by Asano, the noise that had filled the shop- disappeared.
Inside the shop, there were many men with the air of labourers, the two of them were clearly out of place, rude looks were cast at the sight of their military uniforms. To Kunitaka, the silence, like a held breath, was uncomfortable, however Asano was quite calm and composed.
Asano sat down at a seat by the window, and urged Kunitaka to also sit.
“I’ll have sake for two, warm. And some snacks.” The middle aged proprietress took Asano’s order, and then smiled in Kunitaka’s direction.
“What’s wrong? Aren’t you used to a shop like this?”
“I’m afraid not.” Kunitaka murmured only that, and looked down.
“Sorry to keep you waiting. Here you are.” Soon, a sake bottle and cups were brought over. “Just a little while ago, there was noise outside, was something going on?” At the owner, who was just making friendly conversation, Asano shook his head.
“Just an ordinary scuffle.”
“Oh dear, I thought it was a crackdown on the reds. There was a great manhunt the other day.”
Not confirming her words, Asano shrugged vaguely.
The labourers were standing up for themselves, trying to improve their current poor working conditions, and by their hands, rapid expansion of all sorts of political movements could be seen. The anti-establishment movements of socialism and communism were swelling, it was not strange that there were campaigners somewhere. Because there were many working class men in the shop, Asano probably did not want to cause an uproar by saying something careless.
In these peaceful times, the military, cursed as a useless waste of taxes, were particularly detested by the working class. Kunitaka understood their cold looks, and became unable to bear being there for a moment longer. He could not believe Asano’s calm nerve at being in such a situation.
“During the class reunion, the subject of a beautiful lieutenant was quite the topic of conversation. If you don’t want people speaking ill of you behind your back, that you’re not very good or whatever, at least show your face at that sort of get-together.”
“…I don’t recall behaviour of mine that would cause rumours.” Being admonished by Asano was unwarranted, and Kunitaka reflexively objected. Unnoticed by them, the shop regained its earlier liveliness, like before, it overflowed with loud noise.
“In looks and breeding, by every definition you are an exception. Are you are of that?”
“It’s quite natural for a noble to join the military.”
“In these times? Moreover, if you were a just an ordinary noble it would be fine, but you are the fourth generation of the Seikanji zaibatsu.”
A great number of nobles had received benefits, but there was due obligations that followed. For example, without it being openly stated, boys of noble families were implicitly encouraged to protect the emperor as military personnel.
That being said, younger nobles venturing to become a soldier were uncommon, in the peaceful times without war a military officer could not hope to advance in rank, even among the nobility, the number of people becoming military officers was decreasing.
“As usual, you’ve always got a comeback. Rather than a military officer, you should have become a lawyer.”
“You’re saying I’m unsuited to the military?”
“There’s no obligation to say it to me…at least, I hadn’t thought about aspiring to the military police. Someone as outstanding as you would have other ways of doing things.”
Since there seemed to be no way to anger Asano, Kunitaka, unusually, stated his frank opinion. Even though they were both in the military, there was no way that Kunitaka could understand the mind of Asano, who had chosen the military police, hated like serpents.
“What, that? It’s simple.” Asano lightly lent his upper body forward, drew his face close to Kunitaka, who sat opposite.
“So that I can possess you.” In a low voice, he whispered into Kunitaka’s ear.
He was so close, it made Kunitaka’s skin crawl, he was touched by Asano’s breath.
“Me…?”
“If that was my true intent, what would you do?”
Kunitaka showed his discomfort, fixed his glare on the man.
“I’m not something to be possessed, or anything else like that. I’m not goods for sale.”
“In that case, I rather do wish that you would become merchandise. That’s your only value.”
“You’ll treat people like merchandise?”
“In order to save the Seikanji zaibatsu, which is in dire straits, how about selling yourself to the nouveau rich Asano family? A typical newpaper serial romance.”
“Ridiculous.”
Unlike the Seikanji family, who now, only had their name, the nouveau riche Asano family, who had amassed a great fortune in the Great War, had many levels of influence. To be mocked with this was not a thing Kunitaka felt good about.
“Hey, look.” Urged by Asano’s t hand to look left, he cast his gaze, and saw them both reflected in the window.
Their image was indistinct, but discernable enough to see Kunitaka’s shapely face.
“Why this?”
“Because you are so beautiful that you made an upstart like me want to possess you.”
The line of Kunitaka’s jaw was delicate, his single layered almond eyes gave off a cold and dignified light, and his thin lips were lightly pursed. People might say he was blessed with good looks, but as far as being in the Imperial Japanese Army went, they wanted rough and sturdy types.
Kunitaka was 26, and as much as he was indifferent to that sort of masculinity, he understood how unfavourable his face was. Because of it, Kunitaka often bore the humiliation of being approached by members of the same sex.
Being teased and taken advantage of due to his face and parentage, hehad absorbed himself in his studies, it came about that the end result was that Kunitaka was now on the fast track to the path of the elite.
Asano, it seemed, knew the feelings of Kunitaka, who deep down had bitter regret, and he always would use the reason of his looks to rub Kunitaka’s emotions the wrong way. Frustratingly, to turn his face away from the window would admit defeat, so Kunitaka dispiritedly scowled at the glass.
That time.
The face of a young man in profile, walking down the street at a fast pace suddenly appeared in his field of view, it made Kunitaka instantly half rise to his feet.
A fearless profile of drawn lines. Strong willed eyes. That masculine appearance.
Between then and now sixteen years had passed, but, to his eyes there was no mistake. There is no way Kunitaka could have mistaken it.
It was Ryouichirou.
“Seikanji?” Asano’s dubious tone of voice struck Kunitaka’s ears. “What’s up. Is someone outside?”
“Ah, no, it’s nothing.” Sitting back down once more, with great reluctance he returned his attention back to the inside of the shop. Kunitaka felt a strong urge to rush outside and chase him down, but at Asano’s words, he faltered.
It was no good. He couldn’t bear it.
It could be said that that Ryouichirou’s existence was Kunitaka’s sole weakness. He could not let Asano know that, who knew what kind of disaster could befall if he did.
“Ah, It’s empty.” Holding the sake bottle, Kunitaka tried to change the conversation.
“Ahh, order another of the same.”
The memory of the days spent with Ryouichirou, even now they haunted Kunitaka. Those memories above all were treasured.
And yet, even more than that, he could not help but hate those memories, the traces of the days spent together. Because of the most sweetly treasured memory he held, and the most unpleasant memory, Kunitaka had chosen to live as a military officer.
The path the Kunitaka of today should have taken-
Kunitaka alone was bound by gentle memories together with him.
Throbbing, the scar on the back of his head pained him. In his childhood he had been wounded, and that injury had not yet disappeared. If Kunitaka wore his hair short, it could be seen completely.
Even so, previously his hair was closely cut, but in the early years of school practice an imperial prince who had come to observe had blurted out his impression. “Having a scar like this is brave, but it’s very painful to look at.”
After that, Kunitaka decided to hide his scar, and there had been no complaint from anyone.
Quietly, Kunitaka extended his hand and touched that scar. And old scar, but it hotly ached.
–
The residence of the Seikanji family was in the Azabu ward of Tokyo. On the vast grounds, thickly overgrown with many kinds of trees, a western style house stood, at the back of the grounds was a separate Japanese style construction. Although throughout the area, the majestic appearance of the mansion was renowned, the fact was that the family was in desperate financial straits, and it was Kunitaka alone who worried about the family’s finances.
As a result of the Peerage Act, in Meiji 17 (1884), the head of the Seikanji family of the Kyoto Imperial Court was conferred the rank of Earl.
Then, at around the same time, his great grandfather moved his residence to Tokyo, started out in business, and changing to an unabashedly Western lifestyle.
As members of the nobility who were said to be poor at business, unusually, the previous generation and the one before excelled in business.
With the funds of the Kamon-eizoku stipend bestowed by the Emperor, the trade business started by his great grandfather flowed with the current, expanded in rapid strides, and before he knew it, his business had expanded into heavy industry and ship building, even into spinning.
In the middle of many noble families collapsing, a successful example was said to be rare until then.
However, the good only went as far as that. Anyhow, after he received the court rank of as a the third generation of a noble family-Kunitaka’s father, Fuyuki, had been indifferent to business, to make matters worse, his younger brother Kazutaka, to whom the house should have been entrusted, simply showed no will for it.
At the end of the earlier Great War, with the ending of war procurement, just like a balloon deflating, the economic climate had sagged, and the cloud of recession swept throughout Japan. Even if this wasn’t the case, the performance of affiliated companies was falling, labour disputes proportionally increased, and company executives were made to worry.
For how long could this estate be sustained? He had already sounded out whether it was possible to subdivide the grounds and sell off a part, but the fact of the matter was that Asano would be the only one to take up that offer.
“Welcome home, Master Kunitaka.”
The one opening the large wooden door open wide and greeting Kunitaka was the old butler Naitou, who had served the house since his childhood. Over the decades, Naitou’s cordial voice and bearing had not changed. At least, he had been like that for as long as Kunitaka could remember.
“I’m home.”
“How did the business negotiations go?”
“Unfavourably.”
When Kunitaka smiled at Naitou so he would not be worried, he calmly spoke. “You’ve worked hard. Shall I bring some hot coffee to your room later?”
“It’s fine. You’re probably tired from waiting, you should go get some rest. Where’s father?”
“The master is resting. He had a guest today, he would be tired.”
“A guest?”
“Master Fumio of the branch family asked for a loan.”
“A loan?” Kunitaka said, with a pained expression.
In having the margin to agree to the request for money, not even one sen remained.
Today, Kunitaka too, had come to relying on the connections of his father’s friends in order to raise money.
As was fitting to a member of a noble family that knew naught of business and money making, living in poverty and wearing down the assets of relatives was their current state of affairs. But, as the main family, they also could not abandon the branch families. Somewhere, Kunitaka would have to raise the money.
“Master Kunitaka has been absent, welcome home.” Naitou’s tone of voice suggested that his father Fuyuki, who was the head of the house, was useless. In his mind, Kunitaka laughed bitterly. Despite appearances, his father, as far as it went, was a member of the House of Lords, but he merely made up numbers.
“Is that so? What about Kazutaka and the others?”
“Master Kazutaka…hasn’t come home yet. I wonder if he will be late night tonight as well…”
“Then you really should go rest. Kazutaka has a key. He’s not such a child that he can’t let himself in.”
“But-”
Kunitaka didn’t know when his profligate younger brother, who was close in age to him, would be coming home. Making Naitou, who worked from morning to evening wait for him was unfair.
Just as Kunitaka went to say so, the imposing wooden doors opened.
“Kazutaka…”
“Oh my, if it isn’t Elder brother. Have you expressly come to meet me?”
Seikanji Kazutaka came into sight, even more than the darkness of night, he had an air of lustrous charm. His younger brother, who had a radiantly beautiful face, looked at the stock-still Kunitaka and smiled.
A jaw that described a sharp angle. The long eyelashes that covered his eyes were intensely dark, with crimson lips that were at the same time somehow alluring. It was if an innately talented artist had taken elegance and dissolution, and made them the subject of a painting. A young man, who more than anyone, resembled his father.
“You’re late, Kunitaka. What time do you think it is? How about some restraint in your night-time playing around.”
“Playing around has such a bad sound. I was called to the Ninomiya family’s party.
Kazutaka was clad in a fashionable coat, the indeed fine looking fabric gave off a brilliance, shone on by the electric lights. The era of the Rokumeikan had ended in the Meiji Period, but for some of the peerage, politicians, and businessmen, the culture of high society like that had still remained.
And with that, even though Kazutaka had graduated from university, he had not taken an occupation, among high society, rumours were that he was glamorous and degenerate, in spite of knowing his behaviour all the more fanned the anger of the labourers struggling at the low levels of society.
“With the social standing of an adult son still living at home playing around at night like this is an indulgence right? You’re shameful.”
“I’m merely doing in it in place of my elder brother, who is no good at socialising. Well…since, as the next Earl Seikanji, you carry out your duty splendidly.”
Did Kazutaka think Kunitaka did not notice the ridicule in his languid words? Even so, there was no way he should have to endure having a quarrel in front of a servant.
“You’re just above me in age, at this state of affairs, aren’t you setting a bad example for Michitaka and Mariko? How about you restrain yourself?”
“Restraint? What the-?“ Promptly asked again, Kunitaka was at a loss for words. Stop your fooling around with men and women- he couldn’t put it into words. If he said that, he would be permitting Kazutaka’s behaviour.
“I’m joking.” Looking at the now silent Kunitaka, Kazutaka’s voice rang with laughter. “We have our elder brother as splendid role model, without at all making a fool like me one. How much of an idiot would Michitaka have to be to take me for a role model?”
“Kazutaka!”
“Good night, Kunitaka.” Scornfully laughing away Kunitaka’s warning, Kazutaka quickly slipped past him and headed to his room. As Kazutaka passed by, he smelled of women’s perfume.
Smelling strongly of another person like this from merely dancing a waltz at a party, there was no way he had just come home. So, today’s partner had been a woman. Realizing that he personally was somehow relieved at this, before he knew it, Kunitaka was disgusted at his acceptance of Kazutaka’s debauchery.
Bringing home men and women- among high society rumours had spread so far that Kazutaka’s profligacy was famous.
Even though Kazutaka had been an intelligent and discerning boy, the Imperial University had been impossible. Kazutaka had graduated from Keio University, and his grades had been excellent.
For all that, what on earth was he discontented with, giving himself up to self-indulgent pleasure, so that day after day it was eating into the Seikanji family’s diminishing assets.
No, was the reason for his discontent not clear?
It was immediately apparent that he was different to Kunitaka, who tried to protect this bloodline that had continued for several hundred years. Kazutaka hated everything to do with this house. The elder brother that diligently tried to protect an old family in decline, alongside the vicissitudes of the era, Kazutaka surely thought of as stupid.
But, Kunitaka could do nothing other than this.
To Kunitaka, who had lost a treasured friend in those days of his childhood, nothing else had been left to him. The cause of protecting the family, because, except for the hatred of a friend he had abandoned, that was all that had remained.
…Ryouichirou…
If he was by Kunitaka’s side now, he wouldn’t be so gloomy like this, things would be better. He had walked a much different path in life, no doubt about it.
For Kunitaka, who bore everything, the name of this house was far too heavy. Their mother had passed away 14 years ago, Kunitaka became as if a father and an elder brother, caring for his 3 younger siblings. On top of that, discordantly wearing at him, Kunitaka remained friendless.
His father, younger brothers and younger sister, no one had any fondness for this house. Bearing the least love toward their house, Kunitaka was the same.
Only a sense of duty and tenacity bound Kunitaka. This house had continued unbroken, there was no way Kunitaka could let it fall in his generation. If he thought about the things he had lost for the sake of their house, he was all the more unable to easily throw it away.
Kunitaka exhaled a sigh, and flipped through the pages of a magazine that had been placed on his desk. At the very least, he found enjoyment in the world of the printed word. If he dreamed about the world he had not yet seen, his heart became lighter.
“Beautiful…”
Even as he was exhausted by work governed by the vagaries of national policy and military affairs, if he read books like this, he was transported.
Paris.
Rome.
London.
And then, New York.
Unfamiliar cultures, beautiful paintings, streets different to those of Japan.
Surely, these countries were filled with freedom not found in Japan.
Suddenly, the image of the young man he’d seen through the glass crossed his mind.
The face of the dearly missed Ryouichirou shook Kunitaka’s heart.
-I want to see you…
Even though Ryouichirou had been abandoned, and would hate him.
And yet, he thought about wanting to see him again. The sweet memories of his childhood days had been given to him by Ryouichirou, and he could not forget it.
Pain and suffering and ease and the thought being held, in the darkness of night these thoughts silently fell and gathered like snow.
Translation notes
Gakushuin School-At this time, it was a school for children of the nobility, and still exists today.
Zaibatsu-financial/business conglomerates, or financial clique, usually controlled by a family. My dictionary gives the definition as ‘zaibatsu-and then an explanation of what one is It was pretty awkward trying to put it into English, so I’ve left it as zaibatsu
Great War-At this point WW2 hasn’t happened, so I’ve used Great War, as it was generally called before WW2, instead of WW1
Military officer-Throughout Kunitaka is generally referred to as “gunjin” which is as far as I understand, refers to anyone in the army. Saying military personnel or member of thje army just sounded odd, so for the most part I’ve gone with military officer or army officer. Using soldier, while simpler, didn’t have quite the right connotation, and there are other times where he is more specifically referred to as a soldier.
Peerage act– Not going to lie, mostly my understanding of this comes from translation notes of Yuutsu no Asa I read http://saotome-michi.tumblr.com/post/72516304563/yuuutsu-na-asa-chapter-24-translation , Basically though, the old feudal ranks (daimyo, kuge etc) were converted into “Western” style peerage, becoming dukes, earls etc.
Kamon eizoku were families in which the noble titles was passed down through the family, there were families who were nobles, but their children didn’t inherit a noble title. Kamon eizoku families also received some sort of stipend from the emperor too.
Sen– Monetary unit, smaller than a yen. Once upon a time, one yen was actually a reasonable amount of money, and not a nuisance coin you can’t get rid of in vending machines. Whith inflation and whatnot, a sen has become pretty obsolete except for maybe when talking about extremely precise financial amounts?
Rokumeikan– Although the Rokumeikan’s heyday was brief, it became famous for its parties and balls, which introduced many high-ranking Japanese to Western manners for the first time, and it is still a fixture in the cultural memory of Japan. It was, however, largely used for the accommodation of guests of the government, and for meetings between Japanese who had already lived abroad, and its image as a centre of dissipation is largely fictional.
Seikanji Ichizoku Translations 