Takebayashi Takashige

Takebayashi Tadashichi Takashige (Japanese: 武林 唯七 隆重, 1672 – March 20, 1703) was a Samurai in the early Edo period of Japan.

The master of Akō domain Asano Naganori was involved in a quarrel with another daimyō Kira Yoshihisa when they were having an audience with the Tokugawa shōgun.

After accepting Ōishi Yoshio's invitation, Takashige joined the squad of vendetta that sought the head of Kira Yoshihisa.

Takashige finished Yoshihisa's life with his katana after Hazama Mitsuoki stabbed the victim with a spear.

Takashige and the other ronins presented his head in front of the tomb of Naganori in order to declare their success to their master.

Brooklyn Museum - The Actor Ichikawa Yaozo III as Takebayashi Tadashichi from Chusingura - Katsukawa Shunei.