Incidentally, it is said that before his death, 'Togo hagane,' iron and steel products named after Togo, were manufactured, and a pun, 'Togo bakane' (meaning Togo is stupid), was created and spread by some sakan (majors, lieutenant colonels, and captains) and some shokan (major generals, lieutenant generals, and admirals) in the Navy who were hostile to Togo.
なお生前には、東郷の名を冠した「東郷鋼（はがね）」という鉄鋼製品が作られていた事から、東郷元帥に反発する海軍内の佐官や将官の手で「東郷バカネ」という地口が作られ、流布したという。