Captain of the Sixth Unit

Born – March 1, 1829 in Tama, Musashi.

            [April 4, 1829 – Tokyo prefecture(?)]

Died – January 4, 1868 in the Senbonmatsu area of Yodo, outside of Kyoto at age 39.

           [January 28, 1868 at age 37.]

Names –

Imina – Kazushige

Personality Traits and Quirks –

Inoue was a gentle, warmhearted man and his good nature made him popular with the younger members of the group. However he could be very stubborn at times and if he ever took a position on something then no amount of persuasion was going to budge him. He was also a taciturn individual and faithful till the end.

It is said he was very friendly with Okita.

Family History –

Inoue was the third son of Inoue Matsugoro, the leader of a group known as the Hachioji Sennin Doushin. The group was made up of families who had once been retainers of the Takeda clan. After their leaders were defeated, the head of the Inoue family had made some bargain with the Tokugawa. While they did not become retainers, they were at the clan’s service as warriors. The other part of their income came from farming.

It appears that it was the second son of the family who succeeded their father. He changed his name from Matsujiro to Matsugoro at this time. At the time the Shinsengumi first formed in Kyoto as the Mibu Roshi, he was in Kyoto with the Hachioji Sennin Doushin to provide security for the Shogun and his retainers. While there Matsugoro took part in various activities with members of the Shinsengumi. However he returned home soon after the Shogun’s business was concluded in the capitol.

Inoue was also somehow related to Inoue Rintaro, who became Okita Rintaro and was the brother-in-law of Okita Soji. This connection seems to be how Okita most likely ended up at the Shieikan.

Martial Skills –

Ryu – Tennen Rishin Ryu

Rank – Mokuroku

Teacher – Kondo Shusuke and Kondo Isami, Shieikan dojo

Along with his father and brothers, Inoue was initiated into the Shieikan by Kondo Shusuke in 1847. He was very eager to learn swordsmanship and is said to have become negligent in farming. There are some who think that he actually did reach the rank of Menkyo Kaiden in 1860, but he is generally shown as having the same lower rank as Hijikata.

Shinsengumi Years –

Inoue was part of the group who formed the Mibu Roshi and was a captain throughout their years in Kyoto. At the group’s height, he was Captain of the Sixth Unit.

At the battle of Toba-Fushimi, Inoue is said to have faithfully followed Hijikata’s orders. He fought without being daunted by the superior firepower that they faced. In the Senbonmatsu area of Yodo, he was shot in the abdomen and killed. His nephew is said to have buried his head and sword at a nearby temple.