Kondo Isami

• Born: 1834
• Died: 1868
• Japanese: 近藤 勇 (Kondou Isami)

Kondou Isami was born with the name Miyagawa Katsugoro, in the village of Kami-Ishihara, where he came from a farming family. When he was 14 Kondou Isami trained in the Tennen Rishin-ryu sword style at the Sheikan (this ryu was studied by many members of the Shinsegumi). In 1861 Kondou Isami became the fourth master of Tennen Rishin-ryu.

After the Battle of Toba-Fushimi in January 1868, he returned to Edo, fighting with the force dispatched by the Imperial Court but lost the battle. After surrendering, he was beheaded on May 17 1868.