Difference between revisions of "Banzuiin Chobei"
From SamuraiWiki
Jump to navigationJump to search(No difference)
|
Revision as of 04:17, 10 July 2007
Banzuiin Chôbei was an Edo period street tough who, according to his portrayal in literature and drama, fought against injustices, and to protect the common people from the abuses of the samurai aristocracy. In short, he was an otokodate. Born in Karatsu, he established himself in the Asakusa district of Edo, where he led of a band of machi-yakko and founded an employment agency for ronin. Trained as a warrior, he was renowned for his swordsmanship.
In Asakusa, Chôbei organized a kumi (group or gang) which opposed the hatamoto-yakko in seeking to control the area's markets. He was eventually killed by hatamoto Mizuno Jûrozaemon.
Following his death, Chôbei became a popular figure in literature and drama.
References
- Frédéric, Louis. "Banzuiin Chōbei." Japan Encyclopedia. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 2002.
- Sansom, George. A History of Japan: 1615-1867. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 1963.
