田原坂合戦Battle of Tabaruzaka

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What you'll learn

The Satsuma army under Saigo Takamori departs Kagoshima, starting the Seinan War. The government responds by mobilizing forces. Initial battles occur around Kumamoto, including the fierce Battle of Tabaruzaka where both sides suffer heavy casualties.

Key vocabulary

Grammar points you'll meet

• ～たる N1Literary form of ～ている or ～である, used to mean 'being' nominalized.
  大隊長は凡て、名にし負う猛将ぞろいである。
• ～がち N3Tends to, easily becomes.
  薩軍は屡々間道から奇兵を出して襲撃したので、官軍は損傷を受けることが多かったが、官軍もさるもの、間道の迂回線に多くの兵を割いて四方から攻撃したので、この塁も陥り、ついに木葉を占領し、更に境木を攻略するに至った。

Cultural notes

• 西南戦争 (Seinan War)The Satsuma Rebellion was a major revolt led by Saigo Takamori against the Meiji government in 1877. It was the last and most serious of a series of uprisings by disaffected samurai. The conflict ended with Saigo's death and the end of the samurai era.
• 田原坂の戦い (Battle of Tabaruzaka)A key battle in the Seinan War, fought over a narrow pass near Kumamoto. It was characterized by brutal close-quarters combat and heavy casualties on both sides. The government forces eventually broke through, leading to the relief of Kumamoto Castle.

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Topics & grammar

Short Storyhistoricalwarsacrificemelancholydarkaozora bunko〜がちgachi · tends to / prone to〜たるtaru · in the capacity of (literary)