Kurushima Matabē

Kurushima Matabē was a Chōshū domain samurai of the late Edo period, born as the second son of Kitamura Masamichi, a low-ranking retainer in Nishitakadomari village, Akesa District, Nagato Province. His birth year is given as either 1817 (Bunka 14) or 1816 (Bunka 13), and his death as 1864 (Genji 1).

Career in the domain

In 1836 he was adopted as the heir of Kurushima Masatsune, a senior retainer in Ōtsu District's Tawaramura village. In 1841 he studied swordsmanship under Ōishi Susumu, and in 1846 he trained in Edo. In 1851, after his adoptive father's death, he succeeded to the Kurushima house and took the name Matabē Masahisa. In 1863 he led a sniper unit of hunters to Kyoto at the domain's command. After the Coup of 18 August he returned to Hagi, organized the Yūgekitai (mobile unit) and became its commander.

Death at the Kinmon Incident

In 1864 he strongly argued for military action and went to Kyoto again. On the 19th of the 7th month of Genji 1 (old calendar; the Kinmon Incident) he fought with about 600 men of the Yūgekitai. He is said to have been shot in the chest by Kawaji Toshiyoshi of the Satsuma domain and died by the sword of his nephew Kitamura Takeshichi.

Grave and posthumous honors

His grave is at Reizan Gokoku Shrine in Kyoto. After his death he was posthumously granted Junior Fourth Rank, Upper Grade. The Kyoto University Library's Ishin Special Collection holds a copy of a letter said to be in his own hand, dated 27 February 1854 (Ansei 1), written from Edo to his relative Kitamura Tōma in his home province, reporting Perry's return.