Background
Takayama Hikokuro was born in Kozuke (Gumma Prefecture) in 1747, to a humble family of farmers.
彦九郎 高山
Takayama Hikokuro was born in Kozuke (Gumma Prefecture) in 1747, to a humble family of farmers.
Hikokuro Takayama rose to become a prominent loyalist of the Edo Period. He was inspired and influenced considerably by making a thorough study of the Taiheiki (a historical romance).
Later he traveled extensively through the provinces and became friendly with the leading loyahsts of that period and took active part in Emperor Godaigo's baitles against the Kamakura and Ashikaga Shogunates.
A well-known legend about him says that he used to fall on his knees on the Sanjo Bridge at Kyoto and turning his face toward the Imperial Palace used to pay homage to the Emperor. Is credited with great feats, and was considered one of the three supermen of the Kansei Era, the other two being Shihei Hayashi and Kumpei Garno. Disappointed with life he committed suicide in Kurume (Fukuoka Prefecture).