Tanaka

Overview

Tanaka was a member of the Siktli clan of the Bordered Red Banner during the early Qing Dynasty. Volume 34 of the official Qing Dynasty genealogy, *The Comprehensive Genealogy of the Manchu Clans of the Eight Banners*, records that his family originally lived in Guaercha. During the Tiancong era, he led 300 men to surrender and was assigned to a zuoling (a military unit) under his command. He distinguished himself in the campaign against Dalinghe and later died in battle at Lushunkou, receiving the posthumous title of Qiduwei. The 300 men are the original number; zuoling was a basic banner unit and its chief official.

His son, Zhulaka, inherited the position. He was promoted to Yunqiwei (another military unit) during the campaign against the Han Chinese, and later, by imperial decree, was promoted to First-class Qingche duwei, serving as a Canling (a military officer) and zuoling. His hereditary title coexisted with his military and banner duties. Subsequent descendants inherited the position, but when Shizhu inherited it, the imperial decree's additions were removed, retaining only the title of Qiduwei and Yunqiwei. Tiancong was the reign title of Huang Taiji during the Later Jin Dynasty.

His brother, Taljishan, was the second to scale the walls of Shunde Prefecture, receiving the title of Baturu and a hereditary title. His brother's descendants also received rewards for dying in battle at Changsha, representing an independent source of military merit. Only after the main branch is separated can the merits and rewards of the individual, his son, and his brothers be determined. The location of the divination site, the war years in Lushun, and the connections between various collateral branches need to be verified, and the official records of the younger generation are not attributed to Tanaka.