Four Hitokiri of the Bakumatsu
Four Hitokiri of the Bakumatsu is term used to refer to four samurais of Sonnō jōi who were known as "manslayers" for their assassination activities in Kyoto at the end of the Edo period.
They called their assassination activities "Tenchu" and launched several assassination terrorist incidents.
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Shinbe Tanaka edit
He was from Satsuma Domain.
On August 15, 1862, he killed the powerful Masatatsu Shimada. He is also said to have carried out many other assassinations and is known as "Shinbe the Hitokiri".
He was captured on suspicion of assassinating Kintomo Anekoji in Sakuheimongai Incident and committed suicide during interrogation.
Genzai Kawakami edit
He was from Higo Domain.
On August 12, 1864, he assassinated the military scientist Shozan Sakuma, and was called "Genzai the Hitokiri" for his many other assassinations. After the Meiji Restoration, the name was changed to "Genbe Takada". He was then captured and beheaded for his involvement in the Two Lord Incident and the assassination of Saneomi Hirosawa
Izo Okada edit
He was from Tosa Domain.
He harmed many supporters of the Shogunate. He also slaughtered Saishiro Inoue, who was searching for the assassins of Toyo Yoshida, and was nicknamed "Izo the Hitokiri". He also carried out many other assassinations.
He was captured in Kyoto, and after being tortured in Tosa, he confessed to the assassinations that he was involved in and was sentenced to death.
Hanjiro Nakamura edit
He was from Satsuma Domain.
On September 30, 1867, he assassinated the military scientist Kosaburo Akamatsu. After the Meiji Restoration, he changed his name to "Risyu Kirino". He fought as a rebel against the goverment forces in the Satsuma Rebellion, but died of a gunshot wound to the forehead.