Okada Izō

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Okada Izō

Role / Field:

Feared samurai assassin of the late Edo period, known for his role in the Bakumatsu unrest.

Born:

1838-02-14

Died:

1865-07-03

Century / Era:

1838s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Okada Izō (岡田 以蔵; February 14, 1838 – July 3, 1865) was a Japanese samurai of the late Edo period, feared as one of the four most notable assassins of the Bakumatsu period. He was a member of Tosa Kinnoto (Tosa Imperialism party, a loyalist clique of Tosa) in his hometown, Tosa Domain. Izō and Tanaka Shinbei were active in Kyoto as assassins under the leadership of Takechi Hanpeita. His personal name (imina (諱)) was Yoshifuru. Okada Izō was born in Iwamura, Kami, Tosa as the eldest son of a country samurai Okada Yoshihira.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He had a younger brother named Okada Keikichi who also joined the Kinnoto. First self-taught in swordplay, Okada later became a pupil of Takechi Hanpeita under Nakanishi-ha Ittō-ryū (中西派一刀流) school, a branch of Ono-ha Ittō-ryū school. Following Takechi, in September 1856 Okada went to Edo and studied Kyōshin Meichi-ryū at Shigakukan, which was the training hall of Momonoi Shunzō. He returned to Tosa the following year. In 1860, Okada followed Takechi and practiced martial arts in Chūgoku and Kyushu regions.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Takechi considered that house of Okada would have difficulties with covering travel expenses and so asked the feudal lord of Oka domain in Bungo province to accommodate his student. In Oka, Izō studied Jikishi-ryu school of kendo. Around May 1861, he left to Edo and returned to Tosa in April of the following year. The same year he joined Tosa Kinnoto, organized by Takechi and loyal to the Sonnō Jōi movement. For some reason however, he was later crossed off from the name list, along with Ike Kurata and 弘田恕助.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1838 (1838-02-14): Birth of Okada Izō — Feared samurai assassin of the late Edo period, known for his role in the Bakumatsu unrest.
2. 1856: 1856 Milestone — Following Takechi, in September 1856 Okada went to Edo and studied Kyōshin Meichi-ryū at Shigakukan, which was the training hall of Momonoi Shunzō.
3. 1860: 1860 Milestone — In 1860, Okada followed Takechi and practiced martial arts in Chūgoku and Kyushu regions.
4. 1861: 1861 Milestone — Around May 1861, he left to Edo and returned to Tosa in April of the following year.
5. 1865 (1865-07-03): Passing & Historical Legacy — Okada Izō passed away on 1865-07-03, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Okada Izō

True or False: “Okada Izō was executed by beheading on May 11, 1865.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): The text explicitly states that he finally made a full confession and was beheaded on May 11, 1865.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Okada Izō