Ichimura Tetsunosuke

Who is Ichimura Tetsunosuke?

Ichimura Tetsunosuke 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 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 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 Battle of Hakodate, Hijikata summoned Ichimura on April 15 or May 3 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 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.