Onjô Kendô was a samurai scholar and Buddhist monk known for his exceptional devotion to his lord, [[Ii Naosuke]].
Onjô Kendô was a samurai scholar and Buddhist monk known for his exceptional devotion to his lord, [[Ii Naosuke]].
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Born into a low-ranking samurai family in [[Hikone]] in [[1823]], he entered the domain's [[teppo|gunnery]] squad at the age of 15, but soon afterwards began studying medicine under a domain physician.
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Born into a low-ranking samurai family in [[Hikone]] in [[1823]], he entered the domain's [[teppo|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.
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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 [[junshi|committing seppuku]] was "a dog's death," however, he decided to instead become a monk and devote himself to watching over Naosuke's grave.
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==References==
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*Plaques on-site at Hikone castle.[https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/8717008193/sizes/k/]