Loyal Until the End: A Japanese Samurai Hero

When we hear the word “hero,” many people think of someone who achieved victory. In Japan, however, there is another kind of hero. It is someone who cares more about how they live than about winning. In this column, I explore the life of Hijikata Toshizo, a samurai I admire.

Hijikata Toshizo was born into a farmer’s family, but he strongly admired the samurai way of life and wanted to live as a real samurai. He lived in the 19th century, when the age of the samurai was coming to an end and Japan was entering a new era. Samurai were known for their honor and loyalty. Although their time was fading, Hijikata longed to live as one of them.

Later, he became a leader of a group that kept order in Kyoto. To lead his group, he made strict rules and punished anyone who broke them. He valued discipline over personal feelings.

During his final battle, Hijikata is said to have known that he might die. It was a war between the new government and the Tokugawa forces. The Tokugawa side was losing, but he refused to leave their side. He kept fighting out of loyalty to the Tokugawa government, which had recognized him as a samurai. It is also said that he let a young soldier escape. He may have believed that he should remain loyal, while young people should live in the new era ahead. This is why I deeply respect him. He remained loyal while also thinking about future generations.

He did not win the war. Still, he is a hero to me. His life reminds me that winning is not the only measure of a person’s value. I cannot always follow my own beliefs. That is why his life moves me. He is someone whose courage I hope to carry into my own life.