cause (source or reason of an event or action)

a descendant four generations down: a great-great-grandchild, the grandchild of a grandchild

witticism, golden words / famous saying

elder statesman / one of the advisors to the emperor from the latter part of the Meiji period until World War II

rumor

raw materials or ingredients

formal proposal, suggestion

to make a proposal, to recommend

present office, especially political office / incumbent

refer to, mention