, also known as Masahisa (æ¿习), was a Japanese samurai who served as a retainer to Lord Mà Âri of Chà Âshà «. Though his name was Masahisa, he is known by his "common" name of MatabÃÂ. While his income (a stipend of 59 koku) may not have been particularly high, his voice was certainly one closest to the ear of the daimyà Â. Though he was born into the unstipended Kitamura clan (the clan messengers/couriers), he was adopted by Kijima Masatsune, the head of another Chà Âshà « retainer family. Matabee became greatly renowned for his martial skill, both in Chà Âshà « and in Edo, owing to his many trips accompanying Lord Mà Âri. He studied swordsmanship and spearmanship with à Âishi Susumu of the Yanagawa domain, horsemanship with the Hagi-based Narasaki Shirà Âbei, as well as training in Edo at the dà Âjà  of Kubota Sukeshirà Â.
Following the Ikedaya Incident (July 1864), where the Aizu domain-sponsored Shinsengumi attacked and defeated around 20 (mostly) Chà Âshà « samurai who were plotting to burn Kyoto to the ground, Kijima was one of those along with senior Chà Âshà « retainer Kokuji Shinano who led the advance of Chà Âshà « forces to Kyoto in retaliation. However, when he led his forces from Tenryà «-ji Temple (in the wooded hills west of Kyoto) to the Forbidden Gates of the Imperial palace, the Aizu force gunned his unit down, and he was forced to have his nephew Kitamura Takeshichi help him commit suicide.