DiscoverJapanese True Crime019 Hirai Gonpachi (circa 1655 (first year of Meireki) - December 5, 1679 (November 3rd, 7th year of Enpō)) was a Japanese samurai who lived during the early Edo period and was a serial killer.
019 Hirai Gonpachi (circa 1655 (first year of Meireki) - December 5, 1679 (November 3rd, 7th year of Enpō)) was a Japanese samurai who lived during the early Edo period and was a serial killer.

019 Hirai Gonpachi (circa 1655 (first year of Meireki) - December 5, 1679 (November 3rd, 7th year of Enpō)) was a Japanese samurai who lived during the early Edo period and was a serial killer.

Update: 2025-08-08
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Hirai Gonpachi (1655 – December 5, 1679) was a samurai from Tottori Prefecture, Japan, known for his tragic life and criminal activities. Born into a low-ranking samurai family, Gonpachi gained a reputation for his good looks, bravery, and swordsmanship. At the age of 16, he killed a fellow clansman during a dispute and fled to Edo (now Tokyo) to escape punishment.

In Edo, Gonpachi encountered a 15-year-old beauty named Komurasaki, who was being held captive by a group of gangsters. After learning of a plot to kill him for his sword, Gonpachi killed the gang members and rescued Komurasaki, returning her to her family.

However, Gonpachi's life took a darker turn as he became involved in criminal activities, including robbery and murder. He was eventually captured, found guilty, and sentenced to death. On December 5, 1679, Gonpachi was executed by beheading at the age of 25.

The tragic love story of Gonpachi and Komurasaki has been romanticized in Japanese culture, inspiring various songs, plays, and prints. In these adaptations, Gonpachi's family name was often changed from Hirai to Shirai to avoid censorship.


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019 Hirai Gonpachi (circa 1655 (first year of Meireki) - December 5, 1679 (November 3rd, 7th year of Enpō)) was a Japanese samurai who lived during the early Edo period and was a serial killer.

019 Hirai Gonpachi (circa 1655 (first year of Meireki) - December 5, 1679 (November 3rd, 7th year of Enpō)) was a Japanese samurai who lived during the early Edo period and was a serial killer.

Osamu Yamamoto