Saigo Cave

　　It was burning hot also on 22nd. I searched for the information on the last few days of Saigo Takamori last night and knew that a cave in which Saigo had been hiding with his comrade for a few days was preserved. Having my possessions kept at the front desk, I headed for the cave, but I couldn't put up with the sweltering heat and took a taxi up to the hill. Viewing the Sakurajima and going down a little, there was the cave. I felt really sorry to know that Saigo spent his last few days in such a dark and gloomy place. I walked down the route along which Saigo must have walked. He was shot on the way and reached his ending place which I visited yesterday.

２２日も強烈な暑さだった。昨夜、西郷の最後の数日の様子を調べた。なくなる前の数日間隠れていた洞窟が残っていることを知り向かった。丘の上にあり、あまりの暑さに閉口。タクシーを使って丘の上まで登った。雄大な桜島を眺めて少し下ったところに洞窟を見つけた。数日間とは言えここで過ごしたとはあまりにも寂しい。洞窟を出て西郷が歩いたであろう道を下った。途中で狙撃され負傷、そして昨日も訪れた終焉の地に至る。