### The Lion Who Howled in the Frozen Plains: Haruo Ishima and the Vision of Seiyukai (1930-1990)

### The Lion Who Howled in the Frozen Plains: Haruo Ishima and the Vision of Seiyukai (1930-1990)

Haruo Ishima was born in Naganuma-cho, Hokkaido, and after serving as the Hokkaido branch manager of the Yanagawa Gumi, he founded Seiyukai in 1977 and became its first president. Known as a martial artist, he was called the "Lion of the Hokkai," and in 1985 he became a direct member of the Yamaguchigumi, solidifying his influence in Hokkaido. Seiyukai, backed by gambling and real estate interests, expanded widely throughout Hokkaido, and through its connection with the Yamaguchigumi, it also served as a mediator in the provincial wars. Among those who were close to him were Yoshinori Watanabe, head of the fifth Yamaguchigumi clan, Masaru Takumi, and his apprentice Takeshi Tamura. In 1990, however, he was killed by a bullet from a right-wing group in Sapporo, ending his life after 59 years. His death left a deep mark on the Hokkaido underworld and influenced the formation of the order thereafter. When the zainichi connections of the Yanagawa clan crossed with the leadership o
f the organization in the remote region of Hokkaido, a lion was born.