Ryoma Sakamoto

standing straight looking front (http://www.ryoma-kinenkan.jp/en/img/index/ryoma%20sakamoto.jpg)

On November 15, 1835 a low ranking samurai was born in Tosa, Japan (Kochi prefecture). His name was Ryoma Sakamoto. Ryoma turned out to be a reckless man when he was growing up. When Ryoma was 12, he went to a place where he practiced kendo (Japanese style fencing). He soon becomes strong and soon beat the leader of the kendo class. Even though he was good at kendo, he hated killing people or looking at the blood, so when a murderer came to where Ryoma was, he didn’t take out the katana (sword) and was assassinated as a result on his birthday in 1867. Ryoma Sakamoto is my hero because he was brave, strong, and talented.

Ryoma Sakamoto is my hero because he was brave. He once made the two prefectures that were at war with each other become friends. Also he did something called Taisei Houkan. This was the restoration of imperial rule. He did this so that Japan would not be taken over by other countries. In those days Japan’s leaders were crazy and strict so Ryoma Sakamoto realized he had to stop these leaders. Where Ryoma Sakamoto lived was super strict with the ranks of the samurai. Even though he is a low ranking samurai he still moved for a better nation for Japan, similar to America. In America there was no such thing as ranks, so most people in Japan were admiring America.

sitting straight looking front (http://www.kochi-bunkazaidan.or.jp/~ryoma/ryoma-miyoshi.jpg)

Ryoma Sakamoto was also a strong and big person who is important to the history of Japan. Ryoma Sakamoto was always bullied in his childhood. At school he was in a club called kendo. Kendo was needed to control their katana (sword). He was also good at influencing people with his powerful words. He made a company which shipped resources to the other places. Where he lived was surrounded by the ocean, so he always needed a ship. But none of the foreigners who sell ships lent him a ship. So he used his powerful words, and soon foreigners liked him and lent him the ships. He once scared the high ranking samurais who made fun of low ranking samurais, by controlling the ship that was once used by Matthew C. Perry.

When I hear the word “talented,” I always think of Ryoma Sakamoto. He was in a kendo club when he was 19. He went to the kendo club in the capital of Japan to improve his skills. Somehow he became the top student in a few years. Usually being the top student takes a long time but because he was talented, it was easy for Ryoma Sakamoto.

He is highly respected (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4102/4782857746_8573a92bcd.jpg)

I want to be a confident, powerful, and skilled person like Ryoma Sakamoto. When Ryoma Sakamoto died, he was with his friend. Ryoma told him that he should never cut or kill people. This is why Ryoma Sakamoto is my hero.