Born in Hagi, Chōshū (Yamaguchi), into a family of domain physicians.
After his mother, he lost his brother and father, inheriting the family headship young.
He travelled in Kyushu, meeting Miyabe Teizō of Kumamoto and others.
He entered Yoshida Shōin's Shōka Sonjuku, becoming a leading pupil alongside Takasugi Shinsaku, and married Shōin's sister Fumi.
His teacher Shōin was executed in the Ansei Purge, and he resolved to carry on his cause.
He became a leader of the pro-emperor, anti-foreign movement and, with Takasugi Shinsaku and others, burned the British legation.
He joined the shelling of foreign ships at Shimonoseki, but the coup of the 18th day of the 8th month drove Chōshū out of Kyoto.
Defeated when Chōshū marched on Kyoto in the Kinmon Incident, he took his own life.
Yoshida ShōinTakechi Hanpeita (Zuizan)Takasugi Shinsaku
Atsuhime (Tenshō-in)Matsudaira KatamoriYamaoka TesshūTokugawa YoshinobuNakaoka ShintarōTakasugi ShinsakuOkita SōjiPrincess Kazu
People of the Edo period ・ People by period
Based on facts found in textbooks and biographies. Uncertain points are marked as such.