Shigekura Jūbei was a high-ranking samurai of the bakufu and an official in Kyoto during the early days of the bakumatsu whom the Chōshū Ishin-Shishi decided was a threat to their plans for the new era. As such, while coming home from a night of drinking with his bodyguards Ishiji and Kiyosato Akira in 1864, Shigekura was confronted by the Ishin Shishi Hitokiri Himura Battōsai. Though Ishiji gave his life to protect his charge, Battōsai struck Shigekura down with the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū: Ryūtsuisen Zan before going on to slay Kiyosato as well. Other Ishin Shishi hiding nearby placed a tag marked Tenchū by Shigekura's corpse as a warning to others.