Toshizo Hijikata was a prominent Japanese samurai and the vice-commander of the Shinsengumi, a special police force during the late Edo period. Born in 1835 in Hino, he became known for his leadership skills and dedication to the samurai code of honor. Hijikata played a crucial role in the Shinsengumi's efforts to maintain order in a time of political turmoil. He was also a skilled swordsman and contributed to the development of the Shinsengumi's tactics and training methods. Hijikata's life came to an end in 1869 during the Boshin War, a conflict between imperial and shogunate forces, marking the decline of the samurai era in Japan.