Hey all,
Personally I would have to go with the Ikeda (Ikedaya) Incident. Since it
was during the bakumatsu it still, techincally, involves samurai but I do
not think Okita (the character I admire from this story) himself was a
samurai which is why I did not vote for him in the famous/favorite samurai
poll. The part of the event that captures my attention is the actions of
Okita Souji, first squad leader of the Shinsengumi. He was in his very
early 20s, mayhaps even late teens, when he participated in that raid. He
had been suffering from tubercluosis for years but had kept it hidden from
all but the highest members of the Shinsengumi. He fought that night and
managed to survive unharmed up until he took out his last opponent. From
what I understand after he delivered the killing blow he coughed up a
substantial amount of blood and proceeded to pass out.
Call it what you will. Bushido. Honor. Loyalty. Whatever. I call it
being a man.
Peace,
Matt
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