Shindō Tatewaki was a Ishin Shishi staff officer of the Meiji Government who was the responsible for betraying and murdering the Sekihōtai and its leader Sagara Sōzō.
Appearance[]
Shindō is a tall man with a tough face (in some kind of greyish skin tone). Back in the Bakumatsu he had long white hair and wore a black uniform somehow resembling the Sekihōtai, but with traces of dark blue (instead of the red that the Sekihōtai use).
In the 11th year of the Meiji era, an aging Shindō had a shorter hair and wore a more traditional kimono.
Personality[]
Not much is known about Shindō Tatewaki, but it seems he is a corrupt officer and a sneaky person who did not hesitate about using people for his own gain and betraying them.
Relationships[]
- Sagara Sōzō - Tatewaki was the responsible for betraying and murdering the Sekihōtai (and Sagara Sōzō), whom he charged with spreading false information about halving the taxes of farmers, despite having been ordered to do so by the Meiji Government
Abilities[]
Sekihōtai is shown carrying a saber, but not much is known about his fighting skills. As a former government officer, it seems that Shindō was also capable of managing politics.
History[]
Shindo was the person who appeared in front of the Sekihōtai and accused them with spreading false information about halving the taxes of farmers, despite having been ordered to do so by the Meiji Government.
Tokyo Arc[]
In Episode 23 of the 1996 anime, an aging Shindō Tatewaki is shown continuing to frame the Sekihōtai to advance his position in the government by hiring an imposter squad masquerading the latter to commit theft and murder. However, he is stopped in his tracks by Sagara Sanosuke and Tsukioka Katsuhiro, former dedicated members of the Sekihōtai and close pupils of Sōzō, whom he is caught by surprise.
When confronted by Sanosuke about his role in the betrayal of the Sekihōtai in the past, Shindō admitted that he knew about the false accusation, but didn't care one bit--as far as he was concerned, the Sekihōtai were simply pawns to be used and sacrificed in order to advance the purposes of the Ishin Shishi.
Trivia[]
- Shindō Tatewaki is a 1996 anime original character.
Gallery[]
