On the 13th of February, 1860, the U. S. Steam Frigate Powhatan left Yokohama for the United States taking on board the members of the first Japanese Embassy to the U. S. Among them there were two men who had relation to the Kaga Clan. One is Kanae Sano and the other is Onojiro Tateishi. Sano had already been a professor of gunnery in Kaga then, but Tateishi, who was then a probationer interpreter, became an English teacher of Kanazawa School of English in Kaga ten years later.
It is common knowledge that Tateishi was nicknamed “Tommy” and was a star among the American ladies.
At sea some of the members learned English and Sano wrote this in a letter to a friend of his in Kaga. In it he mentioned that the chaplain, the Rev. Mr. Wood taught English to them through the assistance of Tommy.
It goes without saying that Tommy was often reported in the American newspapers, but it is striking that Sano was also reported in the papers despite of his low position. The intellectual ability and culture which he exhibited impressed so many Americans.
After he visited six countries in Europe joining the Takeuchi Mission to Europe in 1862, making good use of his experiences he devoted himself to the various fields of duties such as military affairs, diplomacy, education, etc. for the benefit of the Kaga Clan.
After the Meiji Restoration he was appointed to an officer of the Ministry of Military Affairs by the new Japanese Government, and in 1871, in Tokyo he established the Kyoryu Gakko, a school in which the practical English was taught.
He died of cholera on the 22nd of October, 1877 at the age of 47.
Tommy was the second son of a retainer of the Tokugawas and born in 1843. His name was Keijiro Komeda, but as he could take part in the Japanese Embassy to the U. S. in the capacity of the adopted son of his uncle Tokujuro Tateishi, interpreter, his name was given as Onojiro Tateishi.
After coming back to Japan he was appointed to the interpreter attached to the American legation in Yedo, and at the same time he kept an English school and taught many students.
Through the period of the Meiji Restoration he engaged in battle against the new Government, and was injured in the leg. After the war he came back to Tokyo, but he changed his name into Keijiro Nagano so as not to be arrested.
In 1872 he took part in the Iwakura Mission to America and Europe, visiting the U. S. and eleven European countries.
After returning to Japan he successively held the posts of an officer of the Ministry of Industry and the Authorities of Hokkaido Development. From 1887 till 1889 he went to Hawaii as the superintendent of Japanese emigrants.
Afterwards, for about eighteen years since 1891 he had been serving the Osaka High Court as an interpreter, and died on the 13th of January, 1917.

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