Onjo Kendo

• Born: 1823
• Died: 1910
• Other Names: 遠城平右衛門 (Onjô Heiemon)
• Japanese: 遠城謙道 (Onjô Kendô)

Onjô Kendô was a samurai scholar and Buddhist monk known for his exceptional devotion to his lord, Ii Naosuke.

Born into a low-ranking samurai family in Hikone in 1823, he entered the domain's gunnery squad at the age of 15, but soon afterwards began studying medicine under a domain physician. He also studied painting, Confucianism, and Zen practice.

After the Sakuradamongai Incident in which his lord Ii Naosuke was killed, Onjô felt a deep sense of loyalty, and wished to devote himself further to his lord in some fashion. Feeling that following his lord in death by committing seppuku was "a dog's death," however, he decided to instead become a monk and devote himself to watching over Naosuke's grave.

References

• Plaques on-site at Hikone castle.[1]