Young warriors of Aizu

Three members-to-be of the famed Byakkotai* come to artillery (砲術 - hōjutsu) instructor Yamamoto Gonpachi (山本権八) to learn gunmanship. ...And they find themselves humbled by Yamamoto’s daughter Yaeko** and her friend Asai Sayoko, whose character is based on historical figure Nakano Takeko***. Aizu clan was reputed for military skills, and Aizu women of samurai descent are famed to have trained extensively in naginata (薙刀) and gunmanship, and have even gone to battle in the course of Aizu war. from “Byakkotai“ (白虎隊) 2007