Izuminokami Kanesada

The sword is mentioned in correspondence from that time. Specifically, there's a reference to a letter from Kondo Isami, sent in 1863, discussing the unit's armament, laying the groundwork for Kanesada's future appearance in Hijikata's arsenal.

💬 Quotes and Behavior in the Anime "Hanamaru"

In the comedy anime Sword Dance: Hanamaru, Izuminokami's character is explored through grotesqueness and humor: He constantly yells at those around him, especially at the quiet and calm Horikawa, demanding more activity from him, although he himself takes care of him. He often clashes with other swords over trivial matters, but instantly unites with them against a common threat. His love for the order and strength of the Shinsengumi borders on fanaticism, which often becomes the source of comical situations when reality does not meet his high standards.

Izuminokami Kanesada is more than just a weapon; he is the living embodiment of the spirit of the last samurai corps: proud, unbreakable, and endlessly devoted to their duty, even if that duty requires hiding their true feelings behind a mask of anger.

Birth of a Legend Izuminokami Kanesada was forged by a 12th-generation master of the Kanesada school in Aizu Province in 1867. This was a time of decline for the Tokugawa shogunate and the rise of the Shinsengumi. Legend has it that after the Shinsengumi became renowned in Kyoto, commander Kondo Isami decided they needed a weapon to match their new charisma and status as elite enforcers. While Kondo searched for the legendary Kotetsu blade, his right-hand man, Hijikata Toshizo , approached the smiths of the Kanesada school. Hijikata requested a tachi (long sword) that would perfectly match his favorite wakizashi, Horikawa Kunihiro , in balance, weight, and feel . The result exceeded expectations: Izuminokami became the perfect match for Horikawa, and together they became a symbol of Hijikata's invincibility. Service in the Shinsengumi Izuminokami lived through the Shinsengumi's bloodiest and most famous battles of the late Edo period. He witnessed the unit's discipline, loyalty, and tragedies. However, historical records and fan theories (supported by hints in Touken Ranbu *) point to an interesting detail in his fate.

The Mystery of the Final Battle

There is a popular theory, supported by franchise materials, that Izuminokami* did not participate in the final battle of Hakodate (the Battle of Gorekaku Monastery), where Hijikata Toshizo died. It is believed that before the decisive battle, Hijikata, sensing the end, sent Izuminokami to a safe place (possibly his hometown or a trusted person) along with a photograph of himself taken shortly before the battle. In the final battle, Hijikata used a different sword – a tachi made by Sukesada from the Bizen Osafune school. This fact explains why Izuminokami survived and was able to be summoned to the Time Fortress: he did not break in his master's final battle, but was "saved" by him himself in order to keep the memory of the Shinsengumi alive.

Izuminokami is a character with an extremely contradictory yet profound nature. He embodies the "tsundere" archetype on a squad-wide scale: tough on the outside, but loyal on the inside.

1. Passion and Emotionality: He lives by his emotions. His mood can change in a second: from icy calm and arrogance to a burst of rage or loud laughter. He does not hide his feelings if they are negative, but carefully hides his concern. 2. Aggressive Leadership: As a former vice-commander of the Shinsengumi, he is used to commanding and taking responsibility. He often acts like a leader even in the presence of other senior swords, especially when it comes to protecting "family" (the other Shinsengumi swords). 3. Hidden Caring: Despite constantly complaining, yelling, and threatening ("Shut up!", "I'll kill you!"), he genuinely cares for his comrades. He will be the first to come to someone's aid if they are in danger, but will do so with a grumble, claiming that he simply "didn't want to be shamed by weak allies." 4. Relationship with Horikawa: His connection to Horikawa Kunihiro is unique. Since both swords were created for Hijikata Toshizo (Horikawa as a wakizashi, Izuminokami as a longsword), they consider themselves part of the same entity. Izuminokami often protects Horikawa, albeit in his own aggressive manner. Their duo is considered one of the strongest in the game and anime. 5. Youth Complex: Having been created in 1867, he is technically very young by sword standards (many hundreds of years old). This sometimes causes him to want to prove his worth and strength, to live up to the legend of the Shinsengumi.

Appearance Izuminokami has a striking, distinctive appearance that highlights his status as a Shinsengumi star and his fiery temperament.

• *Height and Build: At 186 cm, *he is one of the tallest tachi in the citadel. His figure is slender yet muscular, reflecting the strength of a seasoned warrior.
• Hair: His most distinctive feature is his incredibly long, flowing dark brown (almost black) hair, which reaches below his knees. His bangs are casually swept to the side, partially covering his face, giving him a slightly wild appearance. The rest of his hair is pulled back into a low, loose ponytail at or just below shoulder level, tied with a distinctive red bow *.
• Face and Accessories: *He has a piercing gaze, often expressing either confidence or irritation. He wears four earrings: three hoops in his left ear and one in his right, adding a rebellious chic touch to his image.
• Attire (Hanamaru Style): *
• His attire is an adapted version of the Shinsengumi uniform with elements of a traditional kimono. *The base is a tight-fitting black undershirt with sleeves ending at the back of the hands (excluding the fingers), over which is worn a white haori.
• Over all of this is draped his famous bright red kimono , which in the Hanamaru version *is often held up by ties over the shoulders, leaving the chest more exposed for freedom of movement.
• A wide, ornate sash (obi) is worn around the waist. *His legs are clad in tight black trousers (hakama pants), tucked into high black knee-high boots, convenient for quick dashes in battle.
• The color scheme (black, white, and bright red) symbolizes blood, fire, and his belonging to an elite squad.

General information

• *Name: *Izuminokami Kanesada
• Weapon Type: *Uchigatana (Katana)
• Smithing School: *Kanesada School (Mutsu/Aizu Province)
• Year Created: *1867 (Bunkyu/Keiyo Era) - one of the youngest swords in the citadel.
• Former Owner: *Hijikata Toshizo (Vice-Commander of the Shinsengumi).
• Special Relationships: Horikawa Kunihiro (calls him "brother" or close comrade due to the similarity of origin and owner).

Izuminokami Kanesada is an uchigatana that lives in the citadel. Standing 186 cm (6'1") tall, Izuminokami Kanesada is a slender swordsman with long, flowing dark brown hair that ends below his knees. His bangs are swept to the side in a messy manner, and his hair hangs over his shoulder in a loose ponytail held together by a red bow. He has four earrings, three on his left ear and one on his right. Hanamaru's outfit consists of many parts of his usual battle attire, including a tight-fitting undershirt with the sleeves ending at the back of his arms, a white shirt, and his iconic red kimono. Here, his red kimono is held up by a tie around his shoulders. Around his hips is an ornate sash. He then dons tight black pants and knee-high black boots. Izuminokami is a very passionate individual, full of personality. He cares greatly for those around him, but refuses to show it. He is often unpredictable, quickly going from a cool and calm state to an angry and loud one. He is known for his aggressive leadership. Izuminokami Kanesada is a sword created by the 12th generation of Kanesada in 1867. It was then owned by Hijikata Toshizu of the Shinsengumi along with Horikawa Kunihiro. It was only after the Shinsengumi had gained popularity that he was asked to make it, and Kondo noted that they should have better weapons to maintain their charisma. While Kondo decided to find a Kotetsu (Nagasone Kotetsu) for himself, Hijikata was looking for Kanesada. He found a swordsman from the Kanesada school and asked him to make him a tachi similar in characteristics to his wakizashi (Horikawa Kunihiro). This may be why Izumi and Horikawa looked alike. According to one version, the Izuminokami was not used during Hijikata's final battle in Hakodate, but was sent to his hometown along with a photo taken there a few days before the battle. The sword Hijikata used was made by Sukesada of the Bizen Osafune school. He is mentioned in a letter Kondo sent to his hometown in 1863.