Changes

Once back in Edo, Muragaki was assigned by the shogunate in [[1855]] to a number of different tasks, including overseeing the artillery batteries (''[[Daiba]]'') around Edo Bay, the casting of weapons, the construction of ships, and river works projects along the [[Tokaido|Tôkaidô]].

Once back in Edo, Muragaki was assigned by the shogunate in [[1855]] to a number of different tasks, including overseeing the artillery batteries (''[[Daiba]]'') around Edo Bay, the casting of weapons, the construction of ships, and river works projects along the [[Tokaido|Tôkaidô]].

The following year, the staff of the [[Hakodate bugyo|Hakodate bugyô]] was expanded, and Muragaki was assigned to one of those new staff positions, contributing to surveys and inspection tours around Edo and Ezo.

The following year, the staff of the [[Hakodate bugyo|Hakodate bugyô]] was expanded, and Muragaki was assigned to one of those new staff positions, contributing to surveys and inspection tours around Edo and Ezo. In [[1858]]/10, he was named ''[[Gaikoku bugyo|Gaikoku bugyô]]'' in addition to retaining his position as Hakodate bugyô.<ref>Ishin Shiryô Kôyô 維新史料綱要, vol 3, (1937), 80.</ref>

Several years later, on [[1860]]/1/19, Muragaki then departed [[Yokohama]] aboard the [[USS Powhatan|USS ''Powhatan'']] alongside lead ambassador [[Niimi Masaoki|Niimi Buzen-no-kami Masaoki]], numerous other members of the embassy, and American crew and escorts. While in the United States, Muragaki kept a diary entitled ''Kôkai nikki'', which reveals much about the Japanese thoughts and impressions upon making such a journey, including an attitude on Muragaki's part that despite their curiosity, the samurai had to refrain from indulging themselves too much in any of the activities, in order to maintain their dignity as representatives of their great nation.<ref>[[Marius Jansen]], ''China in the Tokugawa World'', Harvard University Press (1992), 98.</ref>

Several years later, on [[1860]]/1/19, Muragaki then departed [[Yokohama]] aboard the [[USS Powhatan|USS ''Powhatan'']] alongside lead ambassador [[Niimi Masaoki|Niimi Buzen-no-kami Masaoki]], numerous other members of the embassy, and American crew and escorts. While in the United States, Muragaki kept a diary entitled ''Kôkai nikki'', which reveals much about the Japanese thoughts and impressions upon making such a journey, including an attitude on Muragaki's part that despite their curiosity, the samurai had to refrain from indulging themselves too much in any of the activities, in order to maintain their dignity as representatives of their great nation.<ref>[[Marius Jansen]], ''China in the Tokugawa World'', Harvard University Press (1992), 98.</ref>