Hosoya Jūdayū facts for kids

Hosoya Jūdayū (細谷 十太夫, 1839–1907) was a Japanese samurai who lived during the late Edo period. He was a brave warrior who served the Date clan in a region called Sendai han. Hosoya Jūdayū became famous for his important role in the Boshin War, a big conflict in Japan. He was also known by other names, like Naohide and Buichiro.

A Samurai's Life

Family and Early Years

The Hosoya family had a long history of serving the Date clan. They were important guardsmen for many generations. Hosoya Jūdayū's family came from a man named Hosoya Jinbei. They were given a payment of 50 koku, which was a way to measure how much rice a samurai family received for their service.

Hosoya Jūdayū's exact birth year is not fully known, but it was likely around 1839 or 1840. He faced challenges early in life, as he lost both his parents when he was young. His grandfather, Sanjūrō, then took care of him.

Training and First Jobs

As a young boy, Hosoya Jūdayū trained hard. He learned many important samurai skills. This included how to use a sword, a spear, and how to shoot a bow and arrow. He also learned how to use guns and practiced bugyō, which was a type of martial art similar to aikido.

His first job was at Chūrenji Temple in Shiogama, where he worked as a temple assistant. Later, he became a construction officer. He also spent some time in Kyoto, helping to guard the Imperial Palace for the Sendai security force.

Role in the Boshin War

The Boshin War was a major civil war in Japan. When it began, Hosoya Jūdayū was appointed as a scout officer. This meant he was responsible for gathering information and exploring new areas. He was very active during the war, traveling and fighting in many places across Japan. These areas included Shōnai, Shirakawa, Yonezawa, and even as far south as Mito.

The Crow Brigade

Hosoya Jūdayū led a group of fighters who were known informally as the Karasugumi, which means "Crow Brigade." They earned this name because they often wore black clothing, like crows. He was very skilled at guerilla warfare, which involves using surprise attacks and small groups to fight.

The lord of Sendai, Date Yoshikuni, was very impressed by Hosoya's skills. As a reward, he made Hosoya the Captain of Pages. This was an honorable position. The lord also gave him the special honorary name of Buichirō.

Life After the War

After the Boshin War ended, Japan changed a lot. The old system of domains (like Sendai han) was dissolved. Hosoya Jūdayū then started working in land reclamation, which means turning unused land into useful farmland. He worked alongside other famous people of that time, such as Enomoto Takeaki.

In the mid-1870s, Hosoya Jūdayū joined the Imperial Japanese Army. He served as a lieutenant during the Satsuma Rebellion, also known as the Seinan War. He fought bravely and was recognized for his excellent service. He received the Order of the Rising Sun, which is a special award for people who have done great things for Japan. Later, he also served in the First Sino-Japanese War.

Later Years

After his military service, Hosoya Jūdayū returned to Sendai. He became a Buddhist monk and took the name Asen (鴉仙). This name was special because it combined the Japanese character for "crow" (鴉), which reminded people of his "Crow Brigade," with "Sen" (仙) from "Sendai."

Hosoya Jūdayū passed away in 1907 at his quiet home in Sendai. His son, Hosoya Jūtarō (1862–1933), also became well-known. Like his father, he was a farmer.

Today, a special jacket that Hosoya Jūdayū wore over his armor, called a jinbaori, is on display. You can see it at the Tōhoku History Museum in Miyagi Prefecture.