Tōdō Heisuke

Tōdō Heisuke (藤堂 平助, 1844 – December 13, 1867) was a samurai of Japan's late Edo period who served as the 8th unit Captain of the Shinsengumi.
As shown in the Hakuōki franchise, Heisuke was one of the youngest members of the Shinsengumi who fought fiercely despite his age and earned his place as one of the Shinsengumi Captains. 
==Background==
Tōdō originated from Edo, Musashi Province (now Tokyo), but very little is known about his background. There are debates regarding his origins, although some claim that he may have been an illegitimate child of Tōdō Takayuki, the 11th generation lord of the Tsu domain. However, this theory remains highly controversial. One argument in favor of this proposition is the fact that Tōdō possessed a sword crafted by Kazusa no suke Kaneshige, a swordmaker who enjoyed the patronage of the Tsu domain. Obtaining such a sword would have been challenging for a mere rōnin without any heritage. Additionally, his given name, Yoshitora (宜虎), shares a character with the name of the first Tōdō lord of Tsu, Tōdō Takatora (藤堂高虎), which further hints at a possible connection to the Tsu domain.
Tōdō practiced Hokushin Ittō-ryū and received training at Chiba Shusaku Narimasa's dojo (sword school), although some sources claim that he trained at Itō Kashitarō's dojo instead.
Around 1862, Tōdō began frequenting Kondō Isami's Shieikan and became associated with the group.
==Shinsengumi==
In 1863, Tōdō joined the Rōshigumi alongside Kondō and other members from the Shieikan. Following the establishment of the Shinsengumi, Tōdō initially served as an assistant vice commander (fukuchō jokin).Yamamura, Tatsuya. Shinsengumi Kenkyaku-Den. Tokyo: PHP Kenkyūjo, 1998, p.186 Notably, he held the distinction of being the youngest unit captain within the Shinsengumi.
There are conflicting accounts regarding Tōdō's involvement in the assassination of Serizawa Kamo, one of the original commanders of the Shinsengumi.
During the Ikedaya incident on July 8, 1864, Tōdō sustained a wound on his forehead.Yamamura, Tatsuya. Shinsengumi Kenkyaku-Den. Tokyo: PHP Kenkyūjo, 1998, p.177 Subsequently, in 1865, he assumed the position of captain for the 8th unit.
==Death==
After joining Itō Kashitarō's breakaway Goryō Eji (Guardians of the Imperial Tomb) group, Tōdō decided to depart from the Shinsengumi. Alongside six other defectors, Tōdō aimed to retrieve the body of Itō, who had been previously killed. Unfortunately, during their mission, Tōdō, along with Hattori Takeo and Mônai Arinosuke, fell into an ambush by the Shinsengumi during the Aburanokōji incident in Aburanokōji, Kyoto, on December 13, 1867. Their bodies were left at the scene for three days before being initially laid to rest at Kōen-ji in Kyoto. Later, their remains were moved and interred at Kaikō-ji in Kyoto.
According to Nagakura Shinpachi's Shinsengumi Tenmatsuki, Kondō had wished to spare Tōdō's life. However, Tōdō's unfortunate demise occurred at the hands of a new member, Miura Tsunesaburō, who was unaware of the circumstances surrounding Tōdō's situation.
==References==
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Category:Historical counterparts