Ichimura Tetsunosuke
Encyclopedia
was a member of the Shinsengumi
and Hijikata Toshizō
's page
.
Although commonly believed to be a fictional character
, Ichimura Tetsunosuke was a real member of the Shinsengumi. Born in the year 1854, Tetsunosuke was the third son of Ichimura Hanemoki. In 1867, he joined the Shinsengumi with his older brother Ichimura Tatsunosuke and was the attendant of Vice Commander Hijikata Toshizō.
In 1868, Tatsunosuke left the Koyochinbutai (the renamed Shinsengumi) after the Battle of Kōshū. However, Tetsunosuke decided to stay with the group. He continued to fight in numerous battles
During the final battle of the Boshin War
, the Hakodate War, Hijikata summoned Ichimura on April 15 (lunar calendar
) or May 3 (lunar calendar) 1869, to a private room in an inn. There, Ichimura was entrusted with a death poem, Hijikata's katana
, a letter, a photograph of Hijikata, and several strands of Hijikata's hair. He was instructed to bear them to the home of Satō Hikogorō (Hijikata's brother-in-law) in Hino
. Ichimura reluctantly carried out his orders, having truly wished to stay with his master and fight to the death. Ichimura learned of his master's death on the boat to Yokohama.
Tetsunosuke arrived in Hino three months later. When he arrived at Sato's home he reported the news, and later recounted that there were none that did not weep. Tetsunosuke stayed at Sato's house for two to three years. Later, he returned to Ōgaki
and was reunited with Tatsunosuke.
There are a few theories regarding the date of Ichimura Tetsunosuke's death. While many believe that he joined Saigō Takamori
's army and died during the Satsuma Rebellion
in 1877, some believe that he died from an illness in 1873. Therefore, the date of his death is uncertain.
of the manga
and anime
series Peacemaker Kurogane
, which focuses around the exploits of the famous Shinsengumi. He is 15 years old and rather short. His brother Tatsunosuke also joins him for the series.
Ichimura is also featured in the anime series, Bakumatsu Kikansetsu Irohanihoheto
, the short OVA Hijikata Toshizou - Shiro no Kiseki and NHK
's Shinsengumi!: Hijikata Toshizo Saigo no Ichinichi.
Shinsengumi
The were a special police force of the late shogunate period.-Historical background:After Japan opened up to the West following U.S. Commodore Matthew Perry's visits in 1853, its political situation gradually became more and more chaotic...
and Hijikata Toshizō
Hijikata Toshizo
was the vice-commander of Shinsengumi, a great swordsman and a talented Japanese military leader who resisted the Meiji Restoration.-Background:...
's page
Page (servant)
A page or page boy is a traditionally young male servant, a messenger at the service of a nobleman or royal.-The medieval page:In medieval times, a page was an attendant to a knight; an apprentice squire...
.
Although commonly believed to be a fictional character
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
, Ichimura Tetsunosuke was a real member of the Shinsengumi. Born in the year 1854, Tetsunosuke was the third son of Ichimura Hanemoki. In 1867, he joined the Shinsengumi with his older brother Ichimura Tatsunosuke and was the attendant of Vice Commander Hijikata Toshizō.
In 1868, Tatsunosuke left the Koyochinbutai (the renamed Shinsengumi) after the Battle of Kōshū. However, Tetsunosuke decided to stay with the group. He continued to fight in numerous battles
During the final battle of the Boshin War
Boshin War
The was a civil war in Japan, fought from 1868 to 1869 between forces of the ruling Tokugawa shogunate and those seeking to return political power to the imperial court....
, the Hakodate War, Hijikata summoned Ichimura on April 15 (lunar calendar
Lunar calendar
A lunar calendar is a calendar that is based on cycles of the lunar phase. A common purely lunar calendar is the Islamic calendar or Hijri calendar. A feature of the Islamic calendar is that a year is always 12 months, so the months are not linked with the seasons and drift each solar year by 11 to...
) or May 3 (lunar calendar) 1869, to a private room in an inn. There, Ichimura was entrusted with a death poem, Hijikata's katana
Katana
A Japanese sword, or , is one of the traditional bladed weapons of Japan. There are several types of Japanese swords, according to size, field of application and method of manufacture.-Description:...
, a letter, a photograph of Hijikata, and several strands of Hijikata's hair. He was instructed to bear them to the home of Satō Hikogorō (Hijikata's brother-in-law) in Hino
Hino
Hino can mean:A Place:*Hino, Shiga*Hino, Tokyo*Hino, Tottori*Hino District, Tottori*Lake Hino in EstoniaA Company:*Hino Motors, Ltd.A Person*Rei Hino, a character on Sailor Moon*Hikari Hino, a Japanese porn star...
. Ichimura reluctantly carried out his orders, having truly wished to stay with his master and fight to the death. Ichimura learned of his master's death on the boat to Yokohama.
Tetsunosuke arrived in Hino three months later. When he arrived at Sato's home he reported the news, and later recounted that there were none that did not weep. Tetsunosuke stayed at Sato's house for two to three years. Later, he returned to Ōgaki
Ogaki, Gifu
is a city located in Gifu Prefecture, Japan. It was incorporated as a city on April 1, 1918. As of July 2011, the city has an estimated population of 160,999 and a total area of .Ōgaki was the final destination for the haiku poet Matsuo Bashō...
and was reunited with Tatsunosuke.
There are a few theories regarding the date of Ichimura Tetsunosuke's death. While many believe that he joined Saigō Takamori
Saigo Takamori
was one of the most influential samurai in Japanese history, living during the late Edo Period and early Meiji Era. He has been dubbed the last true samurai.-Early life:...
's army and died during the Satsuma Rebellion
Satsuma Rebellion
The was a revolt of Satsuma ex-samurai against the Meiji government from January 29 to September 24, 1877, 9 years into the Meiji Era. It was the last, and the most serious, of a series of armed uprisings against the new government.-Background:...
in 1877, some believe that he died from an illness in 1873. Therefore, the date of his death is uncertain.
Ichimura in fiction
Ichimura Tetsunosuke is the protagonistProtagonist
A protagonist is the main character of a literary, theatrical, cinematic, or musical narrative, around whom the events of the narrative's plot revolve and with whom the audience is intended to most identify...
of the manga
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
and anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
series Peacemaker Kurogane
Peacemaker Kurogane
is a historical fiction manga series written and illustrated created by . It is unrelated to the Peace Maker manga by Ryōji Minagawa. The story begins in 19th century Japan before the Meiji Restoration, a chain of events that led to enormous changes in Japan's political and social structure while...
, which focuses around the exploits of the famous Shinsengumi. He is 15 years old and rather short. His brother Tatsunosuke also joins him for the series.
Ichimura is also featured in the anime series, Bakumatsu Kikansetsu Irohanihoheto
Bakumatsu Kikansetsu Irohanihoheto
is a Japanese anime series, created by Ryōsuke Takahashi and Sunrise. It was broadcast between October 6, 2006 and April 6, 2007 on the Japanese internet streaming channel, GyaO.-Story:...
, the short OVA Hijikata Toshizou - Shiro no Kiseki and NHK
NHK
NHK is Japan's national public broadcasting organization. NHK, which has always identified itself to its audiences by the English pronunciation of its initials, is a publicly owned corporation funded by viewers' payments of a television license fee....
's Shinsengumi!: Hijikata Toshizo Saigo no Ichinichi.