Yamanami Keisuke
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Yamanami Keisuke(山南敬助) (1833-March 20, 1865-February 23) was a Japanese samurai. He was one of the Vice Commanders and one of the original members of the Shinsengumi. Yamanami may have pronounced his name as "Sannan". (The kanji in his name have changed their pronunciation over time) He was well educated and he was recognized as a master of the Hokushin Itto-ryu (north star style) swordsmanship but later joined the Shieikan dojo, who's master was Kondo Isami. Due to a difference in ideals, Yamanami tried to escape the Shinsengumi; but there was a strict rule against it. The punishment for this was death; he was caught and forced to commit seppuku. His second was Okita Souji. But according to legend, Okita found him and brought him to Kondo and Hijikata Toshizo. There was an argument and Okita pulled his sword on Yamanami. Okita was then told to be Yamanami's second. He was a character in the manga/anime Peacemaker Kurogane, Shinsengumi Imon,and Kaze Hikaru where he was depicted as a gentle and thoughtful man whose death was brought about by a series of unfortunate events.