Asaichi Isobe

Asaichi Isobe (磯部 浅一, Isobe Asaichi, 1 April 1905 – 19 August 1937) was a Japanese former Imperial Japanese Army officer who was one of the leaders of the February 26th Incident, a coup d'etat attempt by young officers of the Imperial Way Faction.

Career

Born in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Isobe graduated from the 38th class of the Imperial Japanese Army Academy and rose to the rank of lieutenant. He was suspended in 1934 for being involved in plans for a coup d'etat, and then discharged from the Army in 1935 when he published an incendiary pamphlet during his suspension. As a civilian, he was a leader in the February 26th Incident and was executed for his involvement.

The diary and letters which Isobe wrote in prison were published after World War II. In the letters, Isobe severely criticized Japanese authorities and Emperor Hirohito. The Japanese novelist, Yukio Mishima, extolled the letters of Isobe.

Portrayals

Film

• Isao Yamagata (『叛乱]』, 1954, Shin Saburi)
• Shinsuke Mikimoto (『重臣と青年将校 陸海軍流血史』, 1958, Michiyoshi Doi)
• Kei Sato (『銃殺　２・２６の叛乱』, 1964, Tsuneo Kobayashi)
• Koji Tsuruta (『日本暗殺秘録』, 1969, Sadao Nakajima )
• Shirō Sano (『悪徳の栄え』, 1988, Akio Jissoji)
• Naoto Takenaka (226, 1989, Hideo Gosha)

Drama

• Takenori Murano ("[February 26th Incident of [wives]]", 1976)
• Shun Oide ("[Approaching the [New Documentary Drama Showa Seicho Matsumoto incident]]", 1984, Murayama Shinji production)
• Takeshi Wakamatsu ("[love had died in the [Ardor 2.26]]", 1991) (in 'Isomura Asaichi' name)
• Tetsuya Chiba ("[History is moved at that time []]", NHK, 14 day, broadcasting 21 February 2001)