Total length 191 x scroll end dimensions 56.3 (cm) Hanging scroll, with a storage box, handwritten "One-Line Calligraphy" by Tesshu Yamaoka 1836 (Tenpo 7) - 1888 (Meiji 21) Common name: Tetsutaro, Art name: Ichirakusai A retainer of the Shizuoka Domain in Suruga Province Director of the Roshi-gumi (Ronin Group) of the Edo Shogunate, Head of the Infantry of the Elite Troop, and Chief Secretary Official rank: Gon-daisanji of Shizuoka Prefecture, Sanji of Ibaraki Prefecture, Ritsuryo of Imari Prefecture, Jiju, Dainojo of the Kunaicho, Shosho of the Kunaicho, Viscount, Machi-sani, Order of the Second Class of the Sacred Treasure Lord: Tokugawa Iemochi, Yoshinobu Tokugawa → Emperor Meiji Founder of the Itto Shoden Mutoryu (sword style) One of the Three Vessels of the Late Edo Period (Kaisyu, Tesshu, and Dosyu) A master of swordsmanship, Zen, and calligraphy A key figure in the bloodless surrender of Edo Castle Prior to the meeting between Katsu Kaishu and Takamori Saigo, at the command of Yoshinobu Tokugawa, he rode alone to the camp of Saigo, the general of the Meiji government army, and negotiated. At this time, he stubbornly refused the last of Saigo's five conditions, "Shogun Yoshinobu will be placed under the care of the Bizen Domain," and argued with Saigo, who threatened, "It is an imperial order," saying, "If you were in the same position, you would not accept this condition." Saigo, moved by Tesshu's sincerity, who risked his life to protect the lives of the one million people of Edo and his lord, and rode alone into enemy territory to fulfill his loyalty, guaranteed Yoshinobu's safety. Saigo praised him, saying, "A person who wants neither money, honor, nor life is troublesome, but without such a person, great achievements in the world cannot be accomplished." After the Meiji Restoration, at the request of Saigo, he served Emperor Meiji as a Jiju (Chamberlain).