Oshima Ken'ichi

Ōshima Ken'ichi (大島健一^?, 19 June 1858 – 24 March 1947) was a general in the Imperial Japanese Army and Minister of War during World War I. His son, Hiroshi Ōshima was also a lieutenant general in the Army, and served as Japanese ambassador to Nazi Germany.

Ōshima was born in Iwamura domain, Mino Province (currently part of Ena City in Gifu Prefecture). He graduated from the 4th class of the Imperial Japanese Army Academy in 1881, where he specialized in artillery. He was sent overseas as a military attaché and for studies to France and Prussia from 1891–1893.

Ōshima served on the staff of General Yamagata Aritomo during the Japanese First Army in First Sino-Japanese War. During the Russo-Japanese War, he served on the Imperial General Headquarters, and after the war held various administrative and staff positions within the Imperial Japanese Army General Staff. He was promoted to major general in 1907 and to lieutenant general in 1913.