If the plan [to intercept the shogunate emissary to the Kyoto court] is to be carried out, it can only be done with men from the grass roots. To wear silk brocades, eat dainty food, hug beautiful women, and fondle darling children are the only things hereditary officials care about. To revere the emperor and expel the barbarian is no concern of theirs. If this time it should be my misfortune to die, may my death inspire at least one or two men of steadfast will to rise up and uphold this principle after my death.

If Heaven does not completely abandon this land of the Gods, there must be an uprising of grass-roots heroes.

When I consider the state of things in our fief, I find that those who hold positions and receive official stipends are incapable of the utmost in loyalty and …

If the body dies, it does no harm to the mind, but if the mind dies, one can no longer act as a man even though the body survives.

No man is fit to be a Senator... unless he is willing to surrender his political life for great principle.

When you have sweated, toiled, had mad dreams, hopeless nightmares, you find yourself in London's streets, cold and dank in the night air. Think - what have I …

I've burned my own house down, the torch is in my hand. Now I'll burn down the house of anyone who wants to follow me.