Tahara Takatora

Tahara Takatora was born on 18 April 1923 in Moriyama, Empire of Japan. His father was Tahara Ujisato. His mother was Tahara Sakura.

Tahara Takatora was a descendant of Ishida Mitsunari, a great Samurai in the 1500s. His family lost their honor after the Battle of Sekigahara. Their honor was regained after the Meiji Restoration in 1878 when Tahara Masatsugu was responsible for stopping an attack on Yamagata Aritomo. He was awarded a lot of money and was made a hero. His descendants were also servers of the state and served in the IJA.

His ancestry led Tahara Takatora to have strong belief in Bushido, Shintoism and Zen Buddhism.

In January 1942, he joined the Imperial Japanese Army following in the footsteps of his ancestors who were brave Samurai. His 3 brothers and 2 sisters also joined the war effort. Tahara Mitsunari joined in 1932, and secured the rank of Colonel by the time World War II began. Tahara Mikazuki joined in 1937 and was sent to Manchuria and secured the rank of Warrant Officer. Tahara Tokimasa joined in 1946.

He had 3 children: Tahara Yuudai, Tahara Kichiro and daughter Tahara Momoe.