Changes

Born a commoner, he studied [[Jigen-ryu|Jigen-ryû]] martial arts under [[Matsumura Sokon|Matsumura Sôkon]].<ref>Andreas Quast, "[http://ryukyu-bugei.com/?p=1019 A hero for one, a traitor for others]," ''Ryukyu-Bugei'', 18 August 2012.</ref>

Born a commoner, he studied [[Jigen-ryu|Jigen-ryû]] martial arts under [[Matsumura Sokon|Matsumura Sôkon]].<ref>Andreas Quast, "[http://ryukyu-bugei.com/?p=1019 A hero for one, a traitor for others]," ''Ryukyu-Bugei'', 18 August 2012.</ref>

Itarashiki, as he was known earlier in his life, journeyed to China in [[1839]] along with returning [[Chinese investiture envoys]], and studied at the Imperial Academy, where he learned formal Court Chinese (Mandarin). After his return from China, he learned English from Aniya Masasuke <!--安仁屋政輔--> (Yoseyama ''[[ueekata]]''), and came to serve as an official translator and interpreter. He acted in this capacity when the French ship ''[[Alcmene]]'' arrived in 1844, and again when [[Commodore Perry]] came to Ryûkyû in [[1853]]-[[1854]].<ref name=compact/> When Perry and his men first arrived, and requested that they be allowed to stay overnight in [[Tomari]], it was Itarashiki who conveyed the government's decision (after discussing the matter with his superiors) that they could not (the Americans stayed anyway).<ref>Kerr. p312.</ref> [[George Kerr]] also cites an incident where Itarashiki, speaking on behalf of the government, told [[Bernard Bettelheim]], who had taken up residence in the Buddhist temple [[Gokoku-ji (Okinawa)|Gokoku-ji]], to keep the temple doors open so that people could worship.<ref>Kerr. p320.</ref> He was rebuffed in this instance as well, though that was not the case with all interactions he had with foreigners.

Itarashiki, as he was known earlier in his life, journeyed to China in [[1839]] along with returning [[Chinese investiture envoys]], and studied at the [[National Academy]], where he learned formal Court Chinese (Mandarin). While in Beijing, among many other activities, he came to converse on numerous occasions with the head of the nearby Russian Orthodox Church, a man named Avvakum; he may have also interacted with [[Jesuits]] or other Catholic missionaries in the city.<ref name=maehira65>Maehira Fusaaki, ''Ryûkyû shisetsu no ikoku taiken'' 琉球使節の異国体験, ''Kokusai kôryû'' 国際交流 59 (1992), 65.</ref>

 

After his return from China, he learned English from Aniya Masasuke <!--安仁屋政輔--> (Yoseyama ''[[ueekata]]''), and came to serve as an official translator and interpreter. He acted in this capacity when the French ship ''[[Alcmene]]'' arrived in 1844, and again when [[Commodore Perry]] came to Ryûkyû in [[1853]]-[[1854]].<ref name=compact/> When Perry and his men first arrived, and requested that they be allowed to stay overnight in [[Tomari]], it was Itarashiki who conveyed the government's decision (after discussing the matter with his superiors) that they could not (the Americans stayed anyway).<ref>Kerr. p312.</ref> [[George Kerr]] also cites an incident where Itarashiki, speaking on behalf of the government, told [[Bernard Bettelheim]], who had taken up residence in the Buddhist temple [[Gokoku-ji (Okinawa)|Gokoku-ji]], to keep the temple doors open so that people could worship.<ref>Kerr. p320.</ref> He was rebuffed in this instance as well, though that was not the case with all interactions he had with foreigners.

At some point in his career, as a result of Satsuma's high opinion of his language skills, he was promoted to the [[Council of Fifteen]]<ref name=kotobank>"[http://kotobank.jp/word/%E7%89%A7%E5%BF%97%E6%9C%9D%E5%BF%A0 Makishi Chôchû]." Asahi Encyclopedia of Japanese Historical Figures (朝日日本歴史人物事典, ''Asahi Nihon rekishi jinbutsu jiten''). Asahi Shinbun Corporation. Accessed via Kotobank.jp, 29 September 2010.</ref>, and to the post of ''[[hicho shudoi|hichô shudoi]]'', a position roughly akin to Minister of Education and Foreign Affairs.

At some point in his career, as a result of Satsuma's high opinion of his language skills, he was promoted to the [[Council of Fifteen]]<ref name=kotobank>"[http://kotobank.jp/word/%E7%89%A7%E5%BF%97%E6%9C%9D%E5%BF%A0 Makishi Chôchû]." Asahi Encyclopedia of Japanese Historical Figures (朝日日本歴史人物事典, ''Asahi Nihon rekishi jinbutsu jiten''). Asahi Shinbun Corporation. Accessed via Kotobank.jp, 29 September 2010.</ref>, and to the post of ''[[hicho shudoi|hichô shudoi]]'', a position roughly akin to Minister of Education and Foreign Affairs.

French ships came to Ryûkyû once again in early [[1855]]. Itarashiki again served as chief representative of the government, interacting directly with the foreigners and acting upon the policies and wishes of both the Ryukyuan royal government and [[Shimazu Nariakira]]. Nariakira rewarded Itarashiki in some fashion for his loyal service and skillful handling of the foreigners, as the French remained throughout that year and into the next, re-establishing a Catholic Mission, constructing residences, and engaging in other activities. In [[1857]], the French gifted an artillery piece to the king, and Nariakira ordered Itarashiki to become familiar with the object and its use.<ref>Kerr. pp344-345.</ref>

French ships came to Ryûkyû once again in early [[1855]]. Itarashiki again served as chief representative of the government, interacting directly with the foreigners and acting upon the policies and wishes of both the Ryukyuan royal government and [[Shimazu Nariakira]]. Nariakira rewarded Itarashiki in some fashion for his loyal service and skillful handling of the foreigners, as the French remained throughout that year and into the next, re-establishing a Catholic Mission, constructing residences, and engaging in other activities. In [[1857]], the French gifted an artillery piece to the king, and Nariakira ordered Itarashiki to become familiar with the object and its use.<ref>Kerr. pp344-345.</ref>