Japan’s first gun-toting serial killer

In 1866, Ryoma Sakamoto, a famous samurai and supporter of Japan’s modernization, defended himself from arrest by feudal authorities Use a military revolver. It proved to be a deeply symbolic victory, with Sakamoto’s roar of gunfire sounding like the death knell of the katana, which was soon abolished along with the entire samurai class during the Meiji Restoration (1868). Since then, the gun has become Japan’s weapon of choice. One person did take this to heart. Unfortunately, he took it in the worst possible way. This is the story of Japan’s number one serial gun killer Shimizu Sadakichi.

Depiction of Shimizu committing a robbery (circa late 1900s), artist unknown

Sad ending massage

In 1882, a new crime wave swept through Tokyo. A masked robber broke into a house at night and stole all the valuables. For big city life, this part is practically taken for granted. However, when discovered by the owner or servant, this The criminal pulled out his pistol.

Firearms are well known in Japan Since the mid-16th centurybut mostly in the form of spears. Pistols did not appear in this country until the 1850s. They’re still new technology amid the armed burglary boom. Perhaps this is why the victim did not immediately realize that the intruder’s tool was a deadly weapon. Maybe that’s why some of them rushed towards him and were shot.

The perpetrator of these crimes was Sadakichi Shimizu, born in 1837 in Asakusa, Tokyo (then still called Edo). During the day, he works as a mentioned The masseur serves as a perfect cover, allowing him to move freely around the city and search for potential targets. Shimizu’s weapon may have been a military-issue Smith & Wesson revolver, and while it’s unclear how he acquired it, he certainly knew how to use it. He remained active until 1886, and according to sources, police attributed more than 80 burglaries and 5 to 6 murders to him, making him America’s first serial killer. modern Japanese history (with some feudal in front of him).

Ogawa Monument in Hamacho, Tokyo

Battle of Ogawa Bridge

On December 3, 1886, Qingshui broke into the Magocho and shot an employee there before escaping. Even though he was wearing anti-theft gear, he was spotted by a patrolman named Ogawa, who followed him for a while and thought something was wrong with the masseuse. Police eventually confronted Shimizu near a canal in Hamamachi.

Some reports of the encounter describe a brutal fight in which Shimizu shot Ogawa and attacked him with a knife. The young officer probably only carried one Throw baton. Seriously wounded, Ogawa locked the killer on his body and shouted, “If you want to kill me, kill me! I won’t let go even if I die!” Miraculously, considering Shimizu is a skilled judoka, Ogawa managed to hold on until help arrived and the serial killer was brought to justice.

Unfortunately, Ogawa’s injuries ultimately proved fatal, and the patrolman died on April 26, 1888, at the age of 24, despite having witnessed Shimizu being hanged for his crimes in September 1887. In Ogawa’s memory, a nearby bridge is named after him, but both it and the canal no longer exist. It feels a little unfair that Ogawa was all but forgotten by history, except for a small monument in Hamacho, while Shimizu was forever immortalized in film history.

Shimizu allegedly used a Japanese Army Smith & Wesson revolver Picture: Military Antiques International

Killer performance

After Qingshui’s death, his image improved greatly. Once he was feared throughout Tokyo as a pistol killer, but by the 1890s people began to romanticize his story, fabricating facts about his life, such as how he became a direct aide to the embattled shogun. (There is zero evidence of this.) The fact that he mainly targeted the houses of wealthy people may have contributed to his posthumous popularity, but the man was no Robin Hood. Sure, he stole from the rich—but only because they had something worth stealing. And he only gave it to himself.

However, in 1899, Shimizu became the subject of Japan’s first ever dramatic film: Goto Shimizu Sakichi (sometimes translated as Armed bandit Shimizu Sadayoshi). The short film, which depicts a robbery in Clearwater and his arrest, is only a few minutes long. Due to technical and time constraints, Shimizu could not be portrayed in any positive way, but his name did live on thanks to this film. Ogawa’s name was not mentioned.

on the other hand, Goto Shimizu Sakichi It really launched the career of Unpei Yokoyama, who played a cop in a short film. He is now considered perhaps the first ever Japanese film actor, with nearly 300 acting credits to his credit, and is the founder of Nippon Film Corporation. One of the most exciting entertainment industries on this planet. It’s not exactly a textbook happy ending, but let’s make the best of this tragic story.

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