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Description
In the 19th Century Japan, there was a civil war among the pro-shougunate and the pro-emperor, known as Boshin war (Boshin was the name of the year during the war). Due to the fire arms provided by the western, the emperor army defeated the shogunate army in Kyoto and the shogunate army was forced to retreat back to their territory at the eastern Japan. After the retreat, the emperor army continue to match toward the shogunate territory to claim the victory and full control over Japan.

Aizu clan was one of the pro-shogunate clan based on Aizu (Fukushima nowadays), and Nakano Takeko was the daughter of an Aizu official. Although Takeko was trained to fight since she was a child, and became a master of sword and naginata at very young age, she did not fought in any of the main battle during the war as women is only taking part in castle defence and rarely dispatch to the front line.

Takeko first (and last) battle happened at the last moment of the Aizu clan, during the siege of Wakamatsu castle (the last stand of Aizu clan). Takeko was outside the castle during the siege, she lead a small group of women samurai and join the remaining shougunate army outside the castle, the aim is to break through the enemy line and join the defending force in the castle. But she never make it as she was shot in the chest when leading a charge against the enemy.

Colorized from black and white photo. Original photo in black and white

Description
In the 19th Century Japan, there was a civil war among the pro-shougunate and the pro-emperor, known as Boshin war (Boshin was the name of the year during the war). Due to the fire arms provided by the western, the emperor army defeated the shogunate army in Kyoto and the shogunate army was forced to retreat back to their territory at the eastern Japan. After the retreat, the emperor army continue to match toward the shogunate territory to claim the victory and full control over Japan.

Aizu clan was one of the pro-shogunate clan based on Aizu (Fukushima nowadays), and Nakano Takeko was the daughter of an Aizu official. Although Takeko was trained to fight since she was a child, and became a master of sword and naginata at very young age, she did not fought in any of the main battle during the war as women is only taking part in castle defence and rarely dispatch to the front line.

Takeko first (and last) battle happened at the last moment of the Aizu clan, during the siege of Wakamatsu castle (the last stand of Aizu clan). Takeko was outside the castle during the siege, she lead a small group of women samurai and join the remaining shougunate army outside the castle, the aim is to break through the enemy line and join the defending force in the castle. But she never make it as she was shot in the chest when leading a charge against the enemy.

Colorized from black and white photo. Original photo in black and white