Background
Though the details of his origin are unclear, he was thought to be the son of a kenjutsu instructor originated from the Sendai domain.
Yamanami was trained under Chiba Shusaku Narimasa, the founder of the Hokushin Itto-ryu, and attained Menkyo Kaiden (license of total transmission) sometime before 1860.
In 1860, after Yamanami was defeated by Kondō Isami in a match, he was enrolled at the Tennen Rishin-ryū's Shieikan dojo in Edo (which was run by Kondō from 1861.) Yamanami was particularly educated in literary and military arts, with a gentle personality and a kind heart. He was very much admired by the Head Instructor (Jukutou) at the Shieikan, Okita Sōjirō (the later Okita Sōji), who called him a big brother. In 1863, Yamanami, Kondo and other members of the Shieikan joined the Roshigumi, the military unit being sent to Kyoto by the Tokugawa Shogunate.
Read more about this topic: Yamanami Keisuke
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