Mino
Shimada Kai was from Ôgaki han in Mino province, and was the son of Kondô Iemon. In 1857 he went to Edo, where he became a student of Shingyoto Ryu(He met Nagakura Shinpachi in the dojo). At this time the Shimada clan of Ôgaki han requested he succeed to head of the clan.
Shinsengumi
He joined the shinsengumi in 1863 and participated in the Ikedaya Affair of 1864. His nickname was "Rikisan"(means Sumo wrestler) because he was so big. When Kondo Isami was shot on Fushimi street, Shimada quicky hit the horse that Kondo was on and saved Kondo's life. During the Boshin War, he participated in the most of battles from Kyoto to Hakodate. The Shinsengumi finally surrendered in May 15 1869 and Shimada was sent to Nagoya han.
Meiji
References
- Hillsborough, Romulus. Shinsengumi: The Shogun's Last Samurai Corps, Tuttle Publishing, 2005
- Shinsengumi - Honor and Determination of the Mibu Rôshi (血誠新撰組-峻烈壬生浪士忠と斬), Rekishi Gunzô series #31, Gakken, Japan, 2003
