Harada Sanosuke
due to my lazy ass I just cut/coppied and pasted this from wikkipedia so I dont really know who wrote this or anything.
born in Matsuyama-han in the Iyo Province (now the city of Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture in Japan) in the Bakumatsu or the end of the Edo era. He was a low-class samurai like many of the political active samurai during this period. When he was younger he worked as a chugen which is like a servant to a samurai.
Harada was a spear user of the Hozoin-ryu style and he usually used that weapon in battle instead of a sword. He was fearless in battle but he had a short temper. Once, he tried to commit suicide by seppuku after a small argument but failed. It left a scar on his abdomen.
Kondo Isami when he was running the Shieikan dojo in Edo (now Tokyo.) In 1863 he and Kondo joined Kiyokawa's Roushigumi along with Hijikata Toshizo, Okita Soji, Yamanami Keisuke and Nagakura Shinpachi. Shortly after, Kondo separated from the Roushigumi along with Serizawa Kamo and formed a group which became the Shinsengumi.
Harada later became the tenth Unit Captain of the Shinsengumi. He trained briefly under a dojo run by Tani Sanjurou, whom he introduced into the Shinsengumi. In 1865, Tani became the seventh Unit Captain. Harada was very trusted by vice-commander Hijikata. He was involved in many of the crucial missions the group faced and was very likely involved in the Serizawa Kamo (original commander of the Shinsengumi) assassination. He was involved in the Uchiyama Hikojiro assassination, the Ikedaya Affair, and the elimination of Ito Kashitaro's Kodaiji faction.
At one time he was accused as the assassin of the famous Sakamoto Ryoma. Officially, it is still a mystery, but it is more likely that the Mimawarigumi was behind Sakamoto's assassination.
Two months after the Battle of Toba-Fushimi in 1868, Harada left the old Shinsengumi with Nagakura Shinpachi, after disagreements with long-time comrades, Kondo and Hijikata, right after the Battle of Kōshū.
Harada wished to return to Edo to be with his wife and child. He therefore split from the Seiheitai which he formed with Nagukura and joined the Shogitai which also sided with the Tokugawa regime. He died on July 6 1868, from injuries received during the Battle of Ueno.
There is a rumor that Harada did not die in 1868, but he survived and travelled to China and became a leader for a horse-riding military group. There was an old man in the military during the First Sino-Japanese War who named himself to be Harada Sanosuke. This was reported in a newspaper in 1965, but it is considered to be historically inaccurate.
It is said that he was very caring towards his subordinates and his wife Masa and their child Shigeru (named after taking the kanji for 'mochi' of the 14th Shogun Tokugawa Iemochi).
can spend hours at a time working on the complex combination of the conjoining of three lines of poetry
by Armen Bakalian
photograph
"Hijikata Toshizo- Born Tenpo 6 (1835), the 4th son of Hijikata Hayato Yoshiatsu, a wealthy farmer of Ishida Village, in Musashi Province's Tama District. Losing his father a few months after birth, he lost his mother at the age of 3, and so he went to live with his elder brother Tamesaburo (Hayato). Tamesaburo was blind, so the 2nd son, Kiroku, succeeded to the family headship. Out of 6 brothers and 2 sisters, Toshizo was the last. At age 11 he became an apprentice at the Matsuzakaya Clothing Store in Edo, but soon returned home, and lived with his sister Nobu, who had married Sato Hikogoro, the village headman of Hino-juku. While there, he studied kenjutsu at the Hino dojo and sold the family's special medicine, Ishida-sanyaku (a medicine for broken bones)" (Oishi 26)
"In Ka'ei 4 (1851), he began studying Tennen Rishin-ryu, but it was on the 9th of the 3rd month of Ansei 6 (1859) that he was formally inducted as a student of Kondou Shuusuke. According to the register of Ishida Village from Bunkyu 2, Toshizo's family had an income of 39 koku 7 to 8 go, was comprised of 12 people (9 men 3 women), and had one maid and one manservant. In the Tama district they were truly a rich family of high ambitions.
In Bunkyu 3, he joined the Roshigumi and went to Kyoto, where he became vice-commander of the Shinsengumi. It was as vice-commander that he returned to Edo, and became engaged to Okoto of the Shamisen-ya, who was a distant relative living it Totsuka Village (modern Shinjuku-ku). Unfortunately, it is said that they never married. He died on the 11th day of the 5th month of Meiji 2, in the Battle of Goryokaku. His grave is in Hino City's Sekidenji." (Oishi 27)
"The winter of that year[1], Kondou Isami took the name Okubo Takeshi, and Hijikata Toshizo took the name Naito Hayanosuke, and they were promoted to omemie-ijo [2] status." Ishin no Minamoto. Tokyo: Tokyo Daigaku Shuppankai, 1974, p. 29
[1] "That year" is Keio 3 (1867)
[2] "omemie-ijo" means that they had the right to have a face-to-face, private audience with the Shogun. This is a status given mainly to senior hatamoto and daimyo.
Sources:
Ishin no Minamoto. Tokyo: Tokyo Daigaku Shuppankai, 1974, p. 29
Oishi Manabu, Shinsengumi. Tokyo: Chuko-shinsho, 2004, p. 26.
Inoue Genzaburou [?????]: 1829 - 1868
He was born in Tama County (1829, March 1st) in Hino, as the third son of Inoue Matsugorou, of the Hachiouji Sennin Toushin.
An ancestor of the Inoue family was a vassal for Suruga Imagawa family. After the battle of Okehazama, they served the Takeda family. After the decline of the Takeda family, the central retainers of the Takeda formed the half-farmer half-warrior Hachiouji Sennin Toushin, employed by the Tokugawa. Among five brothers, the second son--Matsujirou raised the Inoue family's reputation and upon succession, changed his name to Matsugorou.
Genzaburou upon coming to age, his father, along with his brothers and those associated with the Hachiouji were initiated into Kondou Shuusuke's Tennen Rishin Ryuu. Satou Hikogoro also studied the sword in a dojo established inside the mansion. While enthusiastically training in kendo and farming, he was initiated into the secrets of the art in 1847. In 1863, he joined the Roushingumi's relocation to Kyoto. After formation of the Shinsengumi, as the oldest member, he managed the foreign affairs for the Shieikan. He also served as the Fukuchou (Vice-Commander) assistant, and 6th Unit's captain. During the Ikeda affair, he commanded a detached unit of 10 members for Hijikata's party and was rewarded 17 ryo. On April 5 in the fourth year of Keiou, during the heat of battle of Toba Fushimi regarding Yodo Chiyumatsu, he died from a severe bullet wound at the age of 40.
He is reticent, with a gentle personality, popular with the young soldiers, and warm-hearted. He also has a stubborn side; in one instance when one tried to speak with him(?), he was immovable despite persuasion.
Kondou (Kondo) Isami
Let me tell you a bit about what IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
know about this guy
he can be funny and pleasant
He like to wax philosophy and thinks its cheeting to try to figure out the i ching by any means other than your own intelect
he likes those round rice/red bean past balls
A LOT
by Armen Bakalian
Kondō Isami, as with much of Shinsengumi, presents something of an interesting figure to the historian and fan alike. He died a full-fledged, stipended Tokugawa samurai, but he was not born one. The story of his rise from very humble roots, climb to national notoriety, and sudden and disastrous fall, is one which testifies to the instability and tumult of that era.
October 9, Tenpo 5 (1834)- April 25, Keio 4. Lived 33 years.
Born in Kami-ishihara Village, Tama District, Musashi Province (modern Tokyo Metropolis, Chofu-shi)
Tennen-rishin Ryu
-Childhood names: Katsugoro, Katsuta. Letter (?): Toushuu, Gaishi. Assumed names: Kondou Kuranosuke, Kondou Yuuhei (currently being checked for veracity), Okubo Yamato, and others.
Kuranosuke was his adoptive great-grandfather's name
-His name is read "Isami," not "Isamu."
-Even though he looked frightening, you could see dimples when he laughed, and he was generally a kind person.
-His favorite sword was a Nagasone Kotetsu Okisato, 2 shaku 3 sun, 5 bu. It's said it was a fake.
COMMENT: I have a book published by William Hawley on Kotetsu the sword maker, and it's said that Kondou's sword was a forgery, made by the greatest swordsmith of the period, Minamoto no Kiyomaro, and signed with the Kotetsu signature by the master signature-forger Hosoda Heijiro. Apparently even Kotetsu himself had trouble telling fakes during his own lifetime-- as evidenced by his quote upon looking at a forgery: "The signature is mine but the blade is not."
-Other swords he liked were Mutsu-Miyoshi Nagamichi, Banshuu-Fujiwara Munesada, and Miyoshi Michinaga.
The details can be found in "Shinsengumi Touchishiki" ("A Shinsengumi Miscellany" www.toshizo.com/nozoku/index.html).
ORIGINS
Kondō Isami was born Miyagawa Katsugorō, the son of a farmer in the Tama district.(1) The Tama district was right outside of Edo (modern Tokyo), and was the direct landholding of the Tokugawa government. However, the farmers of Tama were unusual for member's of Japan's "rigid" caste system: they trained in the martial arts. Several of the "non-samurai" people later prominent in the young Katsugorō's life were also patrons of swordsmanship.(2) Katsugorō's family was a somewhat wealthy farming family, and so they were able to afford educating their son in the literary and martial arts. In his youth, he greatly enjoyed reading, and was said to have read the Romance of the Three Kingdoms and the story of the 47 Ronin many times.(3) It was also in his youth (in late 1848) that he began to train in the Tennen Rishin-ryū, a school of swordsmanship that was popular amongst the farmers of Tama.(4) Katsugoro's skill in learning, as well as his exploits in dealing with thieves, attracted the attention of the Tennen Rishin-ryū headmaster, Kondō Shūsuke(5), and soon, Katsugorō was adopted into the headmaster's family.(6) As he was not yet headmaster himself, he assumed a new name (taking the elder Kondō's old family name) and called himself Shimazaki Katsuta.(7) He would make several more name changes, first becoming Shimazaki Isami before becoming Kondō Isami.(8) An important point to bear in mind is that Kondō Shūsuke was himself once a farmer's son, and was the third generation heir to the Tennen Rishin-ryū tradition. So the Kondō "line" itself was another instance where farmers had made something of themselves, beyond the limitations of their status at birth.
New Name
"The winter of that year[1], Kondou Isami took the name Okubo Takeshi, and Hijikata Toshizo took the name Naito Hayanosuke, and they were promoted to omemie-ijo [2] status." Ishin no Minamoto. Tokyo: Tokyo Daigaku Shuppankai, 1974, p. 29
[1] "That year" is Keio 3 (1867)
[2] "omemie-ijo" means that they had the right to have a face-to-face, private audience with the Shogun. This is a status given mainly to senior hatamoto and daimyo.
THE RŌSHIGUMI AND KONDŌ’S RISE IN FORTUNE
The Kondō family's standing in society no doubt greatly rose in 1860, with Isami's marriage to Matsui Tsune. Tsune was the daughter of Matsui Yasogorō, who was a senior retainer of the Shimizu branch of the Tokugawa family.(9) This close connection with a stipended samurai as well as the shogun's house must benefitted the Kondō family, which was technically a house of masterless samurai. Another part of the Kondō family's rise in fortunes was Isami's candidacy for a teaching position at the Kobusho, which was the shogunate's new martial arts academy. However, because of Kondō’s lowly birth, this unfortunately did not come to pass.(10)
During these years, Kondō met many of the men who would remain important throughout his adult life. Hijikata Toshizō, a merchant's son from elsewhere in the Tama region, was a Tennen Rishin-ryū student. Okita Sōjirō, the son of Shirakawa domain retainer Okita Katsujirō, was another student. Okita had trained extensively in the art, and in his teen years, functioned as an assistant instructor (comparable to a teaching assistant in a modern school). Inoue Genzaburō and his brother Matsugorō, members of another prominent Tama family, were also students of the school. The Kondō family was also surrounded by students of other schools who were cross-training. Nagakura Shinpachi, a practicioner of Shintō Munen-ryū, was one. The son of a Matsumae domain retainer, he had left home and traveled extensively, acquiring experience in Shingyōtō-ryū, Tennen Rishin-ryū, and other traditions. Harada Sanosuke, trained in the Hōzōin-ryū tradition of spearmanship, was another. Harada's non-samurai origins were even more unusual than Kondō's: he was the son of a chūgen- a classification of underlings who straddled the line between warrior and commoner, who were allowed to wear a short sword and formed the bulk of a lord's travel retinue. There was Yamanami Keisuke, who was a student of Hokushin Ittō-ryū. Yamanami was originally from the enormous Sendai domain, in the far north of Japan's main island. His exact background is unclear, but some historians believe him to have been the son of Sakurada Keisuke, the Sendai domain's official instructor of Hokushin Ittō-ryu.(11)
In the aftermath of the shogunate's signing of unequal treaties with the United States, radical nationalists began to emerge, and destabilize the country through assassination. The most high-profile assassination was that of Ii Naosuke, the shogunate's tairō, or great elder, who had signed one of the treaties and had repressed anyone who voiced opposition. This period of Ii-sponsored government crackdown was known as Ansei no Taigoku, or the Ansei Great Purge, after the contemporary era-name. Ii was killed in 1860, just outside the Sakurada Gate of Edo Castle, by a group of runaway Mito retainers and one man from the southern domain of Satsuma. However, soon there were people not connected with Ii who had become targets of assassination, such as scholars. The school of thought espoused by these assassins was a radical form of sonnō-jōi, or “revere the emperor, expel the barbarian.” While many people, from the shogunate to scholars to dirt-poor assassins, followed this school of thought, their approach differed, with some preferring assassination and others preferring a more constructive approach of building up national strength and fostering unity through dialogue.
In 1862, the shogunate was moving to control the rising tide of assassinations, especially in the imperial capital, Kyoto. In the summer, it began to search for a suitable domain to take up the duty of securing the peace in Kyoto. After having difficulties with several of the larger feudal domains, it settled on the Aizu domain. Aizu, in northern Japan, was ruled by the Matsudaira family, a branch of the Tokugawa clan. They, unlike other domains, had an article in their house code (the domain's constitution) specifically obliging the domain to obey the shogunal government, no matter what. Despite financial woes and internal dissent, Matsudaira Katamori, the lord of Aizu, could not refuse, and so, after a few months of preparation, entered Kyoto in early 1863, at the head of 1000 of his own men.(12)
Simultaneously, the shogunate was preparing for the young shogun Iemochi's trip to Kyoto. As part of their plans, they began to recruit ronin-- masterless warriors-- for the purpose of providing security upon the shogun's arrival. The recruiting drive was ordered by the senior shogunate official Itakura Katsukiyo, and spearheaded by Matsudaira Tadatoshi, a hatamoto, or shogunal retainer, who was a senior official in the previously mentioned Kobusho. Kondō and his acquaintances from Shieikan joined in this recruiting movement.(13)
In order to understand Kondō’s mindset behind joining this unit (known as the Rōshigumi), we must return to the issue of Kondō’s rejection by the Kobusho. One of the reasons behind his joining Roshigumi was frustration at this rejection. He had petitioned the Kobusho many times, and believed that teachers at the Kobusho were truly selected on the basis of their ability rather than their status. Upon hearing of his rejection on the basis of his birth status, Kondō changed. He began to hate training, and lazily whiled the time away. This change in attitude lasted until word spread about the Rōshigumi. Regretting his dissolute actions, he joined.(14)
The Shieikan men were far from posessing any sort of high position, but their time in the rank-and-file introduced them to a group of men who would soon go on to be important in their work: the "faction" of Serizawa Kamo (1826-1863). Kamo, an authoritative, curiously-named(15) man, was a former retainer of the Mito domain. His associates, including Niimi Nishiki (1836-1863), were for the most part, men of Mito, and had connections with the radical Mito faction, the Tengu-tō.(16)
As stated above, the recruiting drive had begun under the auspices of Matsudaira Tadatoshi, who was soon joined in this role by Udono Kyūō, another Tokugawa retainer who had formerly served as metsuke, or inspector.(17) However, the real control of the group lay in the hands of Kiyokawa Hachirō (1830-1863). Kiyokawa was a gōshi, or rural samurai, from the Shōnai domain, in northern Japan. Kiyokawa was no newcomer to the ever-burgeoning scene of political activism; he was a veteran shishi, and had even proven his sonnō-jōi credibility, having been involved in the assassination of the Dutch-American consular assistant Henry Heusken.(18) As the unit was heading to Kyoto, sonnō-jōi was a must; even Matsudaira Katamori himself, despite his interest in foreign relations, had to adopt a public show of sonnō-jōi. Consequently, Kiyokawa’s presence helped keep the unit together, composed as it was of a large number of people from varying backgrounds, and was therefore potentially dangerous. The unit arrived in Kyoto on the morning of the 23th of the 2nd month of Bunkyu 3, or April 10, 1863, and was quartered in various locations throughout the Mibu area, south of central Kyoto.(19) That night, Kiyokawa gathered them all together at Shintokuji, a local temple, and had an honest talk about what he felt the group’s true objectives were. Though they had been gathered up to assist in the shogun’s security, they received no stipend from the shogunate, and therefore had no obligation to it. Their true objective was, instead, to serve as the vanguard for the jōi movement, and to that end, a petition would be submitted to the imperial court.(20)
To encourage the men towards this end, he requested permission from the imperial government for the men to tour the palace. This was permitted, and so in three groups, one for each of the days from the 28th to the 30th (Kondō and his group went on the 29th).(21) However, the situation changed very quickly for the Rōshigumi. On the 3rd, Udono and Rōshigumi officer Yamaoka Tesshū (another Tokugawa retainer) revealed to the group that an English fleet was en route to Yokohama, in response to the outrage of the previous year’s Namamugi Incident.(22)
A bit of explanation is necessary at this point. The Namamugi Incident (Namamugi-jiken in Japanese), also known as the Richardson Incident, occurred on the 14th of September, 1862. A group of Englishmen led by Charles Lennox Richardson were out riding near Yokohama at Namamugi, a station on the famous Tōkaidō road. They were traveling in one direction, and at the same time, Shimazu Hisamitsu, the father of the lord of Satsuma, was traveling with his entourage in the other direction. Richardson and the others did not dismount and bow when confronted with the Satsuma procession, which was the expected act of courtesy to be shown to a lordly procession. Enraged, Hisamitsu’s retainers killed Richardson and wounded two of his companions. The shogunate was in confusion following this incident. The foreign community was in an uproar, and ultimately, Satsuma was to blame for Richardson’s death. It took the quick thinking of Ogasawara Nagamichi, one of the shogunate’s senior councilors, to pay an indemnity to England without waiting for official action from the shogun.(23)
To return to the issue of the Rōshigumi, this impending arrival of the English fleet was viewed with great concern, and it was believed that Yokohama could become a battleground very soon. As such, permission was sought from the imperial court for the unit to return to Edo. There was more than the looming foreign threat that had them in dire straits; Itakura Katsukiyo had heard of how Kiyokawa had summarily dismissed the group’s original goal, and summoned Kiyokawa to explain himself.(24) From the court, permission was granted on the 3rd, by the imperial regent (kanpaku) Takatsukasa Masamichi.(25) Despite this push to return to Edo, there were some in the group who refused to leave Kyoto. These men believed that as it was the shogunate which had brought them there for the sake of protecting the shogun, it was not right to leave without having accomplished that goal.(26) Udono ordered two men, Tonouchi Yoshio and Iesato Tsuguo, to gather up these men who had indicated dissent.(27)
Here we must turn our attention back to Aizu. Matsudaira Katamori had entered Kyoto just before the Rōshigumi arrived in the city, and had taken office as Kyoto Protector. On the 10th of the 3rd month, as Rōshigumi was preparing to return eastward, he received a communiqué from the shogunate, saying that “men of loyalty and patriotism” had arrived in the city, and that he was to take them under his supervision.(28) On the same day, Kondō, Serizawa, and the others submitted a petition asking Aizu to do exactly the same thing. As historian Kikuchi Akira points out, this does not seem coincidental.(29) Indeed, according to research by Akama Shizuko, Serizawa’s eldest brother was Matsudaira Katamori’s pharmacist and had the lord’s trust, so it does not seem altogether unlikely that there was some private communication taking place between the brothers soon after Aizu received the order.(30)
At midnight on the 12th of the 3rd month (29 into 30 April, 1863), the men received notification that their request had been granted, and that they were now Aizu-han azukari—“Under Aizu Supervision.”(31) They were no doubt greatly relieved, and it would hardly be surprising if they slept through the next morning, when Kiyokawa and the others left town. The formal announcement of Aizu’s supervision of this handful of men came on the 15th, which was the day that they reported to the Aizu headquarters at Kurotani to pay their respects.(32) As Matsudaira Katamori was unavailable at the time (quite possibly too ill to appear), the men were met by Tanaka Tosa and Yokoyama Chikara, two of Katamori’s senior retainers.(33)
MIBU RŌSHIGUMI
With Aizu patronage secured, a new chapter began, both in Kondō’s life and in the history of his unit. The unit’s command structure combined both “factions”: Kondō, Serizawa, and Niimi were joint kyokuchō, or chief commanders. However, these early days also brought many brushes with disaster for the unit, thanks to the actions of Serizawa and his men. Above all else, Serizawa and his men enjoyed two things: good parties, and good fights, and in these early days of the unit, he would have both, much to the embarrassment of Kondō and his men. Records of the Aizu clan also show this: soon after the domain’s granting of patronage, a group of Aizu men under Honda Shirō visited Mibu and joined Kondō, Serizawa, and the others in drinking and watching the Mibu-sarugaku, a local form of theater related to the famous Nō.(34)
Serizawa’s appetite for picking fights would soon become lethal. On the 2nd of the 6th month, a group of 10 men including Kondō and Serizawa went to Osaka, for the purpose of rounding up troublemaking ronin.(35) On the 3rd, they took in two men and delivered them to the offices of the Osaka Magistrate.(36) It was on this day that Serizawa decided to pick a fight. Around 4 PM, he was leading 7 other men (Hirayama, Noguchi, Yamanami, Okita, Nagakura, Harada, and Saitō) in “water training,” aboard a small boat.(37) The men were all dressed in training outfits, and were armed with their wakizashi (short swords) only.(38) While en route, Saitō complained of stomach pain, so the group went ashore. At that point, they ran into a group of sumo wrestlers who were already there. Serizawa said “Get out of the way,” but the sumo wrestlers simply became angered and shouted back at him. Infuriated, Serizawa drew his sword and cut down one of the wrestlers, whose body was carried away by his companions.(39)
The group proceeded to the Senkichiya store, where Saitō was given medical treatment for his stomach pain.(40) At that moment, a large group of over 20 angry wrestlers arrived (the exact number is cited as anywhere from 20 to Nagakura’s rather liberal estimate of 60), and a fight broke out.(41) Serizawa and the others managed to wound 14 of them, with no injuries to themselves.(42) One high ranked wrestler, the sekitori(43) named Kumakawa Kumajirō, as well as three others, died of their wounds the next morning.(44) While it cannot be denied that the wrestlers chose a provocative course of action, Serizawa’s retaliation was not the best idea for a group that was only just beginning to assert itself as a new arm of law enforcement in the region.
The sumo incident pales in comparison to the burning of the Yamatoya clothing store.
Death
Saving Kondou 2 Different Stories by Shimazu Masayoshi (Hirotada Tokugawa)
"A messenger arrives at Itabashi with a letter seemingly written
by Katsu Kaishu requesting that Kondou's life be spared. "No
firm evidence exists to prove that Kaishu actually wrote the
letter." The messenger was arrested and the request was denied.
(Hillsborough Shinsengumi 160-161)"
"A Tennen Rishin-ryu student-- a yoriki by the name of Fukuda Heima-- visited Katsu Kaishu on the 14th. In Katsu's diary on that day is written I have submitted a petition regarding Yamato. He had submitted a petition to the new government to spare the life of Kondou Isami, also known as Okubo Yamato. For Hijikata, who had parted ways with Kondou and Shinsengumi and left Edo, this was the one last wish which he had entrusted Katsu with." (Kikuchi 216)
Beheaded at Itabashi, his graves are at Ryuugan-ji in Itabashi, and elsewhere. In 1868 (Keio 4), he surrendered to the New Government Army at Nagareyama in Shimosa province.
Death Poem [scan] we provided the scan to show the difficulty in translating Kondou's last words. The term death poem is "jisei" or "Jisei no Ku".
It is written in kanbun and therefore it had to be translated by someone who can read Chinese. The following was translated by Felicia from page 24 "Kondou Isami Den". Kyu Bakufu Volume 5, number 5, published Meiji 34, June 25.
lonely soldier, backup soldier, refuse to tolerate captives.
thinking of [you]r favors to me makes me cry to myself.
a whole feeling of loss can [die/kill] the holiday.
Only sun in these thousand years past is my years.
[?] he today returning what is there to say.
For [loyalty] he gave his life and earned my respect.
soon will feel lightning 3 meter sword. just to die once to repay the favor. "Lonely soldier, backup soldier" may also be "A stranded army, without hope of relief".
Thank you Shimazu Masayoshi (Hirotada Tokugawa) and Felicia for helping us to understand Kondou's last poem.
The execution of Kondou Isami
Tani Tateki of Tosa was one of the strongest supporters for the beheading of the former Shinsengumi chief. Please see page 161 of Hillsborough's book "The Tosa men bore the strongest vendetta against Kondo, whom they held responsible for the assassinations of Sakamoto Ryoma and Nakaoka Shintaro...According to Tani's account of the trial, Satsuma argued for leniency while Tosa insisted that Kondo be executed."
The following rough translation was provided by Shimazu Masayoshi "We here transcribe the words of a notice posted at Itabashi-juku on the 25th of April:
'Notice of display of a severed head, posted at Ichirizuka.
(Keio 4, intercalary 4/6, in the newspaper Koko-Shinbun)
"A copy of the notice board posted at Ichirizuka, on the path between Takinokawa-Sangenya and the Itabashi 'station' of the Nakasendo Highway:
KONDO ISAMI
The aforementioned was formerly a vagrant, who, after serving as commander of the Shinsengumi in Kyoto, moved his residence to Edo and changed his name to Okubo Yamato. He raised his hand against the Imperial Army in Kai Province and then at Nagareyama in Shimosa Province, falsely claiming to act under the secret orders of the Tokugawa clan. With such complex plans, and because he falsely used the name of the Tokugawa, and furthermore, because his crimes know no bounds, his execution has been duly carried out, and his head publicly displayed."
[source and scan]
-His head was displayed in Kyoto at Sanjo-Kawara (NOTE: same district as Ikedaya). After that its location became unknown, but today, people are trying to figure out what happened.
-His body's fate is also unknown, but two very strong possibilities are that either it was buried in his grave at Ryuugan-ji in Mitaka (in Tokyo), or at the Monument for Consolation of Spirits in front of Itabashi Train Station.
Kondou's remains are at Aizu [pic] (present day Fukushima Prefecture)
It is still debatable if his hair or head is part of this memorial is at Aizu.
Additional Reading:
Kyu Bakufu Magazine (which printed Kondou's Biography)
The Farmers of Edo and the Warriors in Kyoto
Kondou Isami's Sword Nagasone Kotetsu
More details on Kondou can be found on our TIMELINE too.
Bibliography
Akama, Shizuko. Shinsengumi Saito Hajime no nazo
1998 Japanese Book 183 p. : ill. ; 20 cm. Tokyo :
Shin Jinbutsu Oraisha, ; ISBN: 4404026269 [non-fiction]
Fujiwara Ainosuke. Sendai Boshin-shi Vol. I. (Tokyo: Tokyo Daigaku Shuppankai, 1980-1981),
Hillsborough, Romulus. Shinsengumi: The Shogun's Last Samurai Corps. Tuttle Publishing ISBN: 0804836272
Ishin no Minamoto. Tokyo: Tokyo Daigaku Shuppankai, 1974, p. 29
Kikuchi Akira, Shinsengumi Hyakuichi no Nazo. Tokyo: Shin Jinbutsu Oraisha, 2000,
Kikuchi Akira. Shinsengumi 101 no Nazo. (Tokyo: Shin Jinbutsu Ōraisha, 2000),
"Kondou Isami Den". Kyu Bakufu Volume 5, number 5, published Meiji 34, June 25. (page 24 death poem)
Ōishi Manabu. Shinsengumi: Saigo no Bushi no Jitsuzō. (Tokyo: Chuōkōron-shinsha, 2004)
Totman, Conrad. The Collapse of the Tokugawa Bakufu, 1862-1868. (Honolulu: University of Hawai’i Press, 1980)
From www.toshizo.com/name/isami.html (the basis of information on this page)
FOOTNOTES
(1)Ōishi Manabu. Shinsengumi: Saigo no Bushi no Jitsuzō. (Tokyo: Chuōkōron-shinsha, 2004), p. 21.
(2) Satō Hikogorō and Kojima Shikanosuke, among others.
(3)www.toshizo.com/name/isami.html
(4)Ōishi, p. 22.
(5)www.toshizo.com/name/isami.html
(6)Ōishi, p. 22.
(7)Kikuchi Akira. Shinsengumi 101 no Nazo. (Tokyo: Shin Jinbutsu Ōraisha, 2000), pp. 14-15.
(8)Kikuchi, p. 15.
(9)Ōishi, p. 24.
(10)Akama Shizuko. Shinsengumi Saitō Hajime no Nazo. (Tokyo: Shin Jinbutsu Ōraisha, 1998), p. 25.
(11)Ōishi, pp. 26-30; Fujiwara Ainosuke. Sendai Boshin-shi Vol. I. (Tokyo: Tokyo Daigaku Shuppankai, 1980-1981), p. 717.
(12) Totman, Conrad. The Collapse of the Tokugawa Bakufu, 1862-1868. (Honolulu: University of Hawai’i Press, 1980), p. 46; Takano Kiyoshi. Tokugawa Yoshinobu: Kindai Nihon no Enshutsusha. (Tokyo: Nihon Hōsō Shuppan Kyōkai, 1997), p. 134.
(13)Ōishi, p. 65; Kikuchi, p. 33.
(14)Akama, p. 25.
(15)Curiously named: His name, "kamo," meant "wild duck."
(16)Kikuchi, p. 37.
(17)Ōishi, p. 66.
(18)Ōishi, p. 65.
(19)Kikuchi, p. 36.
(20)Kikuchi, p. 36.
(21)Ōishi, p. 73.
(22)Ōishi, p. 73.
(23)Totman, pp. 14-15.
(24)Hoshi Ryōichi. Bakumatsu no Aizu-han: unmei wo kimeta jōraku. (Tokyo: Shin Jinbutsu Ōraisha, 2001), p. 36.
(25) Kikuchi, p. 36.
(26) Kikuchi, p. 36
(27)Kikuchi, p. 40.
(28)Ōishi, p. 73.
(29)Kikuchi, p. 37.
(30)Akama, p. 37.
(31)Ōishi, p. 73.
(32)Kikuchi, p. 37; Oishi, p. 74.
(33)Kikuchi, p. 37.
(34)Ōishi, p. 78.
(35)Ōishi, p. 81.
(36)Ōishi, p. 81.
(37)Ōishi, p. 81.
(38)Ōishi, pp. 81-82.
(39)Ōishi, p. 82.
(40)Ōishi, p. 82.
(41)Ōishi, p. 82.
(42)Ōishi, p. 82.
(43)“Sekitori” is a term which denotes a high-ranking, professional sumo wrestler.
(44)Ōishi, p. 82.
thank the gods I know smart people
shinsengumihq.com/CMS/index.php
"don't compare me to that bastard I am as I am now."
by Armen Bakalian
Matsumae retainer. Served 14th generation lord Matsumae Norihiro, 15th generation lord Nagahiro. Eldest son of 150 koku toritsugi-yaku Nagakura Kanji, born in Matsumae Izu no Kami's "kami-yashiki"(upper residence) in Edo in Edo, on Tenpo 10, 4/11. In other words, Nagakura's birthday is the 11th day of the fourth month of Tenpo 10. By our calendar, that's May 11, 1839
His childhood name was Eiji.
Seems that every daimyo had three residences in Edo-- upper, middle, and lower. Good way to keep them poor, I suppose, and thus leave them with no money to spend on revolt, unless you have domains with trade surpluses like Choshuu and Satsuma...
Shinpachi's father, Nagakura Kanji, was a retainer of the Matsumae clan, with a 150 koku stipend. He was a true product of the Edo era-- part of the sub-culture of samurai who lived their entire lives in Edo, but were retainers of a domain they'd never seen and probably never would.
Nagakura's father spelled the family name with the "naga" meaning "long", but Shinpachi spelled it with the "naga" from the word for "eternity".
Nagakura got his start in kenjutsu earlier than Okita. Okita started at age 9 in Tennen Rishin Ryuu BUT Nagakura entered Okada Juusuke Toshisada's Shintou Munen Ryuu dojo at age 8.
For sword training, he entered Okada Tomatsu's Shinto Munen-ryu dojo "Gekikenkan" at age 8. The dojo was located in Kanda Sarugaku-cho (district). He received kamigiri at age 15 and hon-mokuroku certification at age 18 (6th dan), becoming foremost amongst his fellow students.
At that time he came of age, and assumed the name Shinpachi.
At age 19 he left the service of the Matsumae clan in order to travel and improve his technique. Spent time at Yurimoto Shuuzou's Shintou Munen Ryu dojo.
At age 22, he received the menkyo kaiden certification.
At age 25 he began his musha-shugyo along with fellow Matsumae-ronin Ichikawa Uhachiro, later entering Tsubouchi Shume's Hokushin Ittoryu dojo and acting as assistant instructor.
At the Hokushin Itto-Ryu dojo, he met Shimada Kai, the future vice-commander of the Shinsengumi 2nd unit. Later started "taking his meals" (a la Sano), at Kondou Isami's Shieikan, where he eventually studied for a time.
Bunkyu 3 (1863)- joined Kondou and co. in joining the Roshitai. Upon arrival in Kyoto, joined Kondou, Serizawa, and co. in leaving the now traitorous Roshitai. One of the charter members of the Mibu Roushigumi, formed by the
Kyoto Shugoshoku ("Kyoto Protector") Matsudaira Higo no Kami (Katamori, of Aizu), and headed by Kondou and Serizawa.--After the events of the 18th day of the 8th month (September 18, 1863), the group became known as "Shinsengumi" (with the permission of the Imperial court, I believe).
At Ikedaya... In Genji 1, he joined Kondou, Okita, and Toudou in the assault unit that was first on the scene. After fighting like a demon, his sword shattered and though he nearly lost his thumb, he survived, and received 20 ryo as a reward.
Nagakura then became the captain of the 2nd unit, and a fukuchou
jokin (assistant vice commander).
He was in the defeated force at Toba-Fushimi, and returned to Edo. After joining Koyochinbutai he was again defeated at Koshu-Katsunuma, and parted ways with Kondou and Hijikata, joining his old friend Hoga Nobumichi and forming the Seiheitai. With other former Shinsengumi members like Hayashi Nobutarou and Maeno Gorou joining them, they fought from Mibu Castle to Aizu. In Meiji 2, Shinpachi, having lost the war, turned himself in to Matsumae senior councilor Shimokuni Toshichiro, and was thus saved. He wasd stipended at his father's original rate of 150 koku, serving as an infantry instructor.
Later returning to Matsumae, he was adopted by the domain's doctor, Sugimura Shouhaku, taking the name Sugimura Yoshie. From Meiji 15 to June of Meiji 19, he was a kendo instructor to the jailers at the Kabado Jail. After his retirement, he taught kendo at Asakusa, in Tokyo, passing away on 5 Jan., Taisho 4. His age at death was 77.
(Update by SHQ member shikisokuzekukusokuzeshiki8 message groups.yahoo.com/group/SHQ/message/2755)
"Nagakura was Kenjyutsu teacher at Kabato Shuchikan prison from Meiji15 to 19."
A tale of the older Nagakura (as told by SHQ member Serizawa Kamo)
I guess my favorite tale on Nagakura Shinpachi is that
incident he had with the local yakuza when he was
already a grandpa ^^For those who don't know the story, it goes like this:
it's said that once Nagakura and his little grandson
were strolling around to enjoy the weather and all.
Nagakura was quite old by then, walking with the help
of a walking stick and his back was already curved
thanks to his age.During the stroll, a bunch of local yakuza bumped on
Nagakura, who almost fell. The yakuza laughed a lot
but Nagakura was willing to let go. However, his
grandson got enraged and yelled "what do you think you
are doing to my grandpa?!" to the yakuza, who, in
their turn, got enraged and said in a menacing voice,
"who do you think you are, shrimp?!". The boy got
frightened and hid himself behind Nagakura. The
yakuzas said, "out of the way, old man, or else you
too will suffer the consequences!". Then, Nagakura
raised his eyebrow, tossed the walking stick away,
straightened up his back and, without saying anything,
glared in such a manner to the yakuza that they got
frightened and ran away. Then, Nagakura calmly got his
stick from the ground, curved his back again and he
resumed the stroll with his grandson.By far, this is my favorite story on Nagakura (though
there are many interesting stories about him) ^^ And
it reminds me of Mr. Miyagi from Karate Kid :D
Bibliography
Sawada Nobuyasu, "Nagakura Shinpachi," pp. 38-9 in Sanbyaku Han Kashin Jinmei Jiten, vol. 1
cpt of 1st troop
and that is what my sources actually agree on. I have read many differant things about all manger of his life and so I have decided that if this isn't as accurate as anyone would like, I'm not particularly concerned... (now if you want to rewrite it w/sources and all that... oh be my guest !!! I will be very hapy about it !!!!!)
ok so Soujirou (wait.. his name was souji wasn't it? I have found referances stating that soujirou was his birth name.)
Back to Soujirou... some say he had ONE sister .. some say he had a brother adopted into the Kondou family and another older sister... meaning two sisters.
The sister that took care of him was adopted by Kondou (not Isami.. the older one) I read something about this being done so she could marry this guy who was adopted into the okita family ... no idea... not at alll... but the adopted brother joined the shinsengumi too....
The point being that Okita started training at the shiekan when we was .... young... I get differant ages for things as well like we all know he was a child prodegy but when he defeated a kenjutsu master in shirakawa he was 12-15 yrs or something.
I think he started teaching around age of 15. (or someone could be lying)
all sources agree that
shinsengumihq.com/CMS/index.php
Information on Okita Souji was drawn from a combination of books and websites in Japanese. Whenever possible, the source of the information is cited. We have tried our best to be as historically accurate as possible. If you have found an error in this page please email shinsengumihq(a)yahoo.com, mention the page address and give us the correct information along with the book/journal article information as well. We are also interested in noting discrepencies. If you have a text which gives different information ~ please let us know.
Name: Okita Souji Fujiwara no Kaneyoshi
Born Tenpou 13 (1844) or Tenpou 15 (1844)
Hometown: Edo (present day Tokyo) he was born at the Shirakawa-han mansion
Style: Tennen Rishin Ryu
Name (examined):
His birth name (in full) was "Okita Soujirou Fujiwara no Harumasa". He changed his name to "Okita Souji Fujiwara no Kaneyoshi" shortly before his departure to Kyoto in 1863. Other than his full name, he could be referred as Okita Souji, Okita Souji Kaneyoshi, or Fujiwara no Kaneyoshi. In the case of his birth name, he could be referred as Okita Soujirou, Fujiwara no Harumasa, or Okita Soujirou Harumasa (never Okita Harumasa Soujirou)
Family Name: Okita
Given Name/First Name Equivalent: Soujirou; Souji
Family Clan Name:Fujiwara
Formal Given Name/Middle Name Equivalent: Harumasa, Kaneyoshi
Sword: Kikuichimonji Norimune (might be unlikely because it had the status of a national treasure),
and Kaga Kiyomitsu (a set of two swords.)
Seven (user:nlf7) Although highly unlikely, it was rumored that he wielded a famous katana called
Kikuichi- monji. However, he surely owned a set of Kaga Kiyomitsu (a katana and a
wakizashi) and his so-called "Kikuichimonji Norimune" was likely a Yamasiro Kunikiyo instead.
(Oji 96)
(Anonymous Commentary on Okita's Sword)
Someone should address that Kikuichi-monji was already considered as a priceless treasure even during the late Shogunate period. Therefore Okita wielding Kikuichi-monji is a myth - he couldn't have been able to afford it in the first place.
I've mentioned that the Kikuichi-monji was forged during Emperor Go-Toba's reign (see: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kikuichi-monji). I could write more about it. However, even though Okita couldn't have been able to afford it , he could have inherited it from his ancestors (I could not find any evidence against this theory and therefore consider it to be a rumor, rather than a myth.)
A Note on Okita's Sword by Hirotada Tokugawa (Shimazu Masayoshi)
The Kiku-ichimon-ji Norimune is reputed to be the sword Okita used. However,
it is HIGHLY unlikely that that was his sword, mainly owing to the fact that
"Kiku-ichimonji," or "Chrysanthemum-crest," is the crest of the Emperor, and
the swordsmith Norimune, having been in attendance to Emperor Go-Toba, was
allowed to stamp the tang of his blades (the part the handle wraps around)
with the Imperial crest. Therefore, the sword, even in the pre-Meiji era,
had the status of a national treasure. So it's highly unlikely that Okita, a
man who was the son of a low-ranking ashigaru (ashigaru were foot soldiers
who are considered by some to have not even had full samurai rank), would
have such a sword.
However, www.toshizo.com/nozoku/index.html lists a more likely
candidate for Okita's favorite sword-- the Kaga Kiyomitsu. You can see a
picture of what I believe is a replica here-
www2.taiyo-planet.co.jp/konc/k...ko.jpg,
and it's possible to buy it here
www2.taiyo-planet.co.jp/konc/k...7a.htm. Even
says he used it at Ikedaya.
Characteristics
It is historical accurate that Okita loved children. During his time in Kyoto,
he was often
seen playing with children and was a baby-sitter to Yagi's sons in Mibu. (Oji 100)
He was not particularly fond of liquor but it is fictional that he loved sweets.
Okita was a bit of a clean freak. (Oji 130)
There has not been any evidence of an Okita photograph. However you may look at photos which have been mistaken for Okita here.
Online Resources and Related Texts
Please also see: The Afflicted Swordsman: Tuberculosis and Okita Soujiro
Sources Used for this site:
Kikuchi, Akira. Shinsengumi 101 no Nazo (Tokyo: Shin Jinbutsu Oraisha, 2000)
Mori, Makiko. Okita Soji Feature. Tokyo: Shin Jinbutsu Oraisha, 1999.
Oji, Kazuko. Walking with Okita Soji. Tokyo: Shin Jinbutsu Oraisha, 1989.
Books recommended by Seven (user:nlf7)
1. All of Okita Soji
www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obid...150232881/
sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_0_1/503-8662209-2817527
2. Historical Investigation / Okita Soji
3. Okita Soji Feature
www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obid...62-5511429
4. Shinsengumi to Okita Souji
www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obid...150231888/
sr=1-4/ref=sr_1_10_4/503-8662209-2817527
5. Walking with Okita Soji
www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obid...150232328/
sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2_2/503-8662209-2817527
Magazines:
1. Rekishi Dokuhon: June 1990 issue
2. Rekishi Dokuhon: November 1999 issue
3. Rekishi Dokuhon: December 2002 Issue
4. Rekishi Dokuhon: March 2004 Issue
5. Rekishi Dokuhon: December 2004 issue
Submenu
* Background
* As Shinsengumi
* In Fiction
* Death
* Tuberculosis
damn the links wont work
he used the bokken
katana
and shinai with equal skill
he was honset and polite
he liked children and would play with and babysit them
he liked to joke around and have fun and laugh a lot
he was an impatient master.
short tempered when teaching. No patience.
He was the head teacher at the shieikan
it is writen in historical sources that the only one who could hold thier own against him/could equal him was saitou hajime (or pick a name you prefer)
he changed his name to something rediculously long and I'm certain incredably meaninful.
Okita Souji Fujiwara no Kaneyoshi.
He had an issue at the ikedaya inn .. meaning he caughed up a lung or passed out (differant sources say differant things) so some say this was the time he realised he had tb
eventually......durring the Boshin War.... (this would be some time after The Boba-Fushimi in battle thing ) Okit went ot Matsumoto Ryoujun's hosp. He later was moved to a guast house with Okita Rintarou and okita Mitsu and thier children. He died on July 19, 1868 when he was 25.
Of course I havent told you a damn thing that he did. It was rumored that he had lots of assasinations under his belt. Kinda like Harada and Saitou... if you were a non code following shinsengumi one of the above made sure you were a dead shinsengumi.
So, Im going to be doing some more reading about the shinsengumi in general and I will put things in here as I go. If anyone really cares about what style he learned and taught and what moves he created and all of that:
Tennen Rishin-ryu
his signature techique was called:
muyo-ken or sandanzuki
it was supposed to be able to hit the neck, lft sholder and rt sholder w/one strike.
some say this was derived from hijikata's hirazuki.
sooo what did he really look like?
There are NO confirmed (100%) pics of him but there is one several people agree is him. And another I found somewhere that was drawn froma description of him.
Sources don't agree on what he looked like either.
One discription was that he was tall and thin and nice looking
another was that he had a round face and was a bit puddgy.
shinsengumihq.com/CMS/index.php
so lets talk reincarnation for a sec shall we?
Its common for people from previous incarnations to meet eachother and to have shared rememberances of sorts.
None of which I previously believed till I met The Historian... (its all your fault)
The Historian sent me a pic of the the above person and he looks JUST like josh !!! (giving some more credence to the idea that one incarnation has a tendancy to look simalar if not the same as the previous)
so yeah this guy is here because I have met his current incarnation. There is a nifty pic of him on the site, so if you wanna know what my little Irish freind looks like.... just take a peek.
To the best of my knowledge, the youngest Shinsengumi was Tamura Tamura Ginnosuke,
originally from the Iwakidaira domain near Aizu who joined up later on with his two brothers and
fought in the Boshin War. He joined Shinsengumi in 1867 at age 12, and died on August 20, 1924....
He was in the thick of action during the Boshin War, and his testimony on the war is vital for anyone
who wants an eyewitness account of some of the most ignored parts of the war. For instance, Tamura
comments on the fighting men of the Sendai domain, who played an important part in the war in the north,
but who are largely ignored by most Japanese and by pretty much all western scholars.
All of this testimony, some of which is quoted in some of the better Japanese-language history websites,
is made even more poignant by the fact that he was a child of 12-13 years at the time.
Tamura's home domain of Iwakidaira is important-- it was the domain of Ando Tsushima-no-Kami
Nobumasa, who was a successor of the (in)famous Ii Naosuke, and was almost murdered like him.
[The following information is from this blog entry] Tamura's testimony...appears in "Shidankai Sokkiroku"...
"Shidankai Sokkiroku" is a gigantic series of transcribed oral testimony, written in the mid to late Meiji era,
from eyewitnesses to the great events of the Bakumatsu. Each volume is around 300-400 pages, and there
are about 10 or more volumes, I believe.
victorian.fortunecity.com/stanf...o.html
(just in case you missed the niftey place I posted this)
as I shoo away the purplish/pinkish that is his displeasure w/me I woul like to take this time to say that I utterly despise this man. One of my 'psychic' friends said it was more than likely that I had a run in w/him in a past life. But I assuer you my feelings of descust are so strong that if I was on better terms w/those whole to necromancers I have met that I would raise the bastard from the dead and stab him in his face w/his metal fan.
Serizawa Kamo isn't as famous as other Shinsengumi members, like Kondou Isami, Hijikata Toshizou, Okita Souji and Saitou Hajime. Nevertheless, he played a key role in the beginning of the Shinsengumi, as its "Kyokuchou" ("Chief"), along with Kondou Isami and Niimi Nishiki. He doesn't make any appearance in the Rurouni Kenshin manga, though Serizawa was motif of some Ruroken characters.
Usually, Serizawa acts as a villain in the Shinsengumi books. You'll understand why if you read his story...
I made up this biography from the books "100 Stories of the Shinsengumi", by Suzuki Tooru, and the trilogy "Shinsengumi Shimatsuki", "Shinsengumi Ibun" and "Shinsengumi Monogatari", all of those by Shimozawa Kan. And I used some excerpts from the amazing novel (call it a "fan-fiction" if you like ^_^), "Moeyo Ken" ("Burn, Oh Sword"), by Shiba Ryoutarou (Watsuki-sensei's Bible, according to himself) and "Shinsengumi Keppuuroku", also by Shiba Ryoutarou.
The Birth Of A Strong But Selfish Man
Serizawa Kamo was born in the 13th year of the Bunsei Era (1830), as the third son of Serizawa Sadamoto, in the Serizawa village of Namekata city in the Hitachi country (now Ibaragi province). When a child, his name was Tatsutoshi and later he was called Mitsumoto. He had two elder brothers (Okimoto and Shigemoto), and a elder sister (Take).
About his appearance, there is no photos or portraits left of him (which is a pity). The only thing left is a description of Serizawa by Yagi Tamesaburou: "Serizawa was a stout person. His skin was somewhat white and his eyes were narrow. He was truly impressive when he put his hands on the sleeves and led the Shinsengumi members." And his family crest ("mon") was an open fan.
He learned kenjutsu with Togazaki Kumatarou, of the Shintou Munen Style, reaching the Menkyo Kaiden status (this is the highest status a swordsman can achieve, meaning that he mastered every aspect of the kenjutsu style (including the "ougi", the hidden technique) and thus he can teach it to others).
After mastering the sword, he served as a master to Takeda Kouunsai, a man of the Loyality Party (Kinnou) from Mito, and when Takeda formed the Tengu Party, Serizawa joined the party, changed his name to Kimura Tsuguji (some say Shitamura Tsuguji) and commanded a troop of 300 men.
When they were in the Itako Quarters, he discussed with his subordinates. Mad with rage, he cut three men of his, beheading them with his katana. After that, he went to the Kashima Shrine, only to rip the taiko (drum) of the shrine with his iron fan, saying that the drum was just too big.
As the Tengu party was a headache for the Bakufu (government of the Shogun), this episode was quickly taken care of, and Serizawa was arrested and taken to Edo (Tokyo), to be interrogated at Ryuunokuchi. He justified his action at the shrine, arguing that "he lost his mind due to the fervour he devoted to the gods", but he couldn't justify the three murders, so he was sentenced to death.
In jail, Serizawa decided to fasten to death, refusing to take any food. He bit his little finger, and with the blood he wrote his "Jisei no Ku"(a poem that a man writes just before his death), a quite elaborate one:
"Yukishimo ni / Iroyoku hana no / Sakigakete
Chiritemo nochi ni / Niyou ume ga ka"
("Coming (in this world) ahead of the beautiful flowers in the snow and mist,
And still giving off its scent after the scattering of the petals; such plum is the perfume.")
And sticked the poem in the bars of the prison.
The Formation Of The Roushigumi By Kiyokawa Hachirou
He was about to be executed, but Kiyokawa Hachirou was looking for capable ronins to join his group, so there was an official act, pardonning the prisoners who wanted to joing the group, leaving Serizawa alive. Kiyokawa's group was meant to act as a "bodyguard" of the Shogun Tokugawa Iemochi when he got in Kyoto, professing complete allegiance to the Bakufu (government of the Shogun).
Serizawa went to join that group with his fellows from the Tengu Party times, namely Niimi Nishiki, Noguchi Kenji, Hirayama Gorou and Hirama Juusuke (some say Hirama Kinsuke). He took back his name of Serizawa and called himself as Serizawa Kamo.
Kamo ("wild duck") is a strange name, but it's not clear where such a name came from. According to a Shinsengumi researcher, there was a shrine in Serizawa's village called as Kamo Shrine by the local inhabitants. Maybe he took his name after the shrine.
Nagakura Shinpachi (later the Captain of the Second Unit of the Shinsengumi), who met Serizawa in the Denzuuin, told that "even the giant Kiyokawa Hachirou treated Serizawa with respect, and people called him "sensei" more often than not." Serizawa was a famous man due to the Tengu Party, and he was assigned as one of the 23 "Torishimaritsuki" ("director"), along with Ikeda Tokutarou, Saitou Kumasaburou. The Roushigumi was divided into seven units and had the board of directors.
The First Conflict Between Kondou Isami and Serizawa Kamo
Just three days after they left Edo (Tokyo), Kondou Isami (yes, the man who would be the "Kyokuchou" of the Shinsengumi), an ordinary member of the 6th unit of the Roushigumi then, was helping the Director Ikeda Tokutarou to find lodging for everyone of the Roushigumi in the Honshou post town. But when the Roushigumi got there, only Serizawa was without accomodations, because accidentally Kondou had forgotten him.
Ikeda and Kondou apologised deeply for that, but Serizawa didn't heed them. In the end, he said, "No, there's no need to worry. I have an idea of mine. As I have nowhere to stay tonight, I'll get some wood and start a fire to warm myself. But the fire may be a little big, so don't be surprised."
Soon after twilight, he gathered as much wood as he could and started a VERY huge fire in the very center of the lodging. Fire sparks were falling everywhere and everybody, from the farmers nearby to the lodge owners, couldn't sleep because of the threat of a major conflagration. Rather, all of them were in the roof, with buckets of water. Chaos was reigning there, as eventually the government officer of the town came rushing, ordering to put the fire out at once. Serizawa Kamo, enraged, took his 300 monme (about 39.4 oz. or 1.12 kg) iron fan, where it could be read "Jinchuu Houkoku no Shi, Serizawa Kamo" ("The Knight of the Loyality and Patriotism, Serizawa Kamo"), and knocked the officer down. Kondou apologised as humbly as he could and eventually he convinced Serizawa Kamo to stop the fire, so that everybody could at last sleep in peace. (it's said that the Kondou group started hating Serizawa here. In "Moeyo Ken", Toudou Heisuke is about to stand up and slay Serizawa.)
Yamaoka Tesshuu (Tetsutarou) was very upset and when they got to Kanou post city, he said to Serizawa, "I'm going to leave this job and go to Edo. I leave everything in your hands." With this, Serizawa was very taken aback: Yamaoka Tesshuu was one of the closest persons to Kiyokawa Hachirou and Serizawa knew too well that Yamaoka was an indispensable person to the Roushigumi, as the leader, Udono Kyuuou, was virtually of no value and Yamaoka was the true leader. So Serizawa promised to avoid such incidents in the future.
Yagi Gennojou - The Estate Of Kondou And Serizawa In Kyoto
The Roushigumi arrived in Kyoto on February 23rd (my birthday ^_^), after 16 days of travel. The year was the 3rd year of the Bunkyuu Era (1863). The members of the Roushigumi were free to go sightseeing for three days, provided they didn't cause any trouble.
Serizawa and his fellows were in the same lodging of Kondou and his fellows: Yagi Gennojou's estate, located in Mibu village, now a district of Kyoto. And it's said that coincidence was what allowed the Shinsengumi to be created. (the Shinsengumi stayed in Mibu for two/three years, until they moved to Nishi (West) Honganji temple) However, the Kondou group were living more often in the Maekawa Shouji's estate than in the Yagi Gennojou's estate.
On February 24th, everybody was called by Kiyokawa to assemble in the Shintoku Temple. There, Kiyokawa gave the news: the Roushigumi wasn't meant to protect the Shogun Tokugawa, but rather work for the Emperor as a unit of battle, professing the "Sonnou Joui" ("Reverence to the Emperor and Expulsion of the Foreigners"). Kiyokawa gave a fantastic speech, shutting the mouth of everybody, including those who worked closely with Bakufu.
Some days after, Kiyokawa commanded his Roushigumi to go back to Edo (Tokyo) to serve the Emperor, as he got the Emperor's permission. But Serizawa, Kondou and their members (13 members) refused to go, arguing that "the Bakufu was who called us here. Even if there's something happening to the Emperor, we won't budge without Bakufu's (Shogun's) permission." (In the book "Moeyo Ken" ("Burn, oh Sword", by Shiba Ryoutarou) there's a scene where Hijikata says simply about Kiyokawa's speech, "That's treason" . Kondou nods and tells Serizawa, who also agrees.)
Kiyokawa got very angry at this, for he didn't expect any resistance inside his Roushigumi. After furious discussions, where they almost engaged into a battle, the Roushigumi departs from Kyoto without Serizawa, Kondou and their fellows. (it's commonly said that 13 people stayed in Kyoto (see names below), but there are sources saying that 17, 20 or even 25 people stayed. In the Aizu records, there are 24 names. Now it's widely accepted that those people, other than Serizawa's and Kondou's group, was quickly taken care of, that is, they were killed.)
An Attempt Of Murder
(I'll base this solely on the book "Moeyo Ken", so probably this is fictional. Notice that there is much empasis given to Hijikata Toshizou, as he is the protagonist of the book.)
"(...)The Bakufu was very worried about the Roushigumi and Kiyokawa Hachirou. No wonder: they had given birth to their own nemesis. Many people were planning how to kill Kiyokawa, who had named his new Roushigumi as Shinchougumi. One day, Sotojima Kiheh, an Aizu diplomat at the Kyoto Shugoshoku, called Serizawa Kamo, Kondou Isami and Hijikata Toshizou for a meeting. When they were leaving, Sotojima called Kondou and said "I leave the letter "Ki" in your hands", making it plain clear that he ordered Kiyokawa to be murdered.
Kiyokawa Hachirou went everyday to a place called "Gakushuuin", where court nobles met to discuss and lay plans against the Bakufu. But they had no idea about politics, so they were easy prey for the "Sonjouroushi", the ronins who preached the motto "Reverence to the Emperor and Expulsion of the Foreigners" and Kiyokawa was one of them.
Hijikata analysed the paths Kiyokawa took to get there. And he admired Kiyokawa, because every day Kiyokawa took a diferent way, fearing an attack of assassins. But eventually Hijikata found a place Kiyokawa always had to pass. Fortunately, there was an empty house there, and Hijikata called Serizawa and Kondou, telling that and suggesting to hide there to kill Kiyokawa.
Hijikata told Serizawa that the murder had to be at night and swift, before people recognized them. Furthermore, few people could join the murder group. Serizawa said a bored "yes, I know that".
There were only four people assigned for the task: Kondou Isami, Serizawa Kamo, Hijikata Toshizou and Niimi Nishiki. None other knew the murder plan, not even their friends/comrades. Hijikata divided them in two groups: one, with Kondou and Niimi and the other with Hijikata and Serizawa. They would take turns in the empty house. And the reason of this division was that, in case a group managed to kill Kiyokawa, both of the groups (Kondou group and Serizawa group) would have the credits. And so the trap was set.
But Kiyokawa was a very smart man. He went always with some men around him as bodyguards and he never walked at night. Even Kondou couldn't help feeling desperate. Serizawa often felt an impulse to kill Kiyokawa in broad daylight, but Hijikata held him back every time.
At last, one day the chance came. It was already night and Kiyokawa wasn't back from the Gakushuuin. Serizawa was calmly urinating, as Hijikata saw a group coming. "There's Kiyokawa", he said.
"Let me see", said Serizawa. And while peering, he laughed, "Four people." They were Kiyokawa Hachirou, Ishizaka Shuuzou, Ikeda Tokutarou and Matsuno Kenji. Every one of these people were strong enough to open a kenjutsu dojo.
"Hijikata, let me kill Kiyokawa", asked Serizawa.
"Fine, I'll take care of his acolytes. But slay him with a single blow and don't tell them your name."
"You bore me."
Serizawa covered his face with a black mask and so did Hijikata.
"Let's go, Hijikata."
Serizawa ran, wielding his sword. Toshizou ran soon after, wielding his famous sword Izuminokami Kanesada.
"What's going on?", wondered the four people, stopping to see the two black figures running on their direction and one of them was making a terrible noise when running.
(Serizawa, you idiot.), thought an enraged Hijikata.
But the Kiyokawa party was rather calmed down due to such noise. Ishizaka even asked, "What, is there a fire somewhere?"
But Kiyokawa was a very witful man. He told his men, "Gather your lamps and put them on the ground. Now let's retreat two or three steps. And let's wait." His procedure was correct. Assassins look first to extinguish all the light sources.
The first to come was Serizawa Kamo. He jumped the lamps and his feet barely hit the ground as he swung fiercely his sword. Kiyokawa stepped back.
"Who are you?", asked without fear.
Serizawa wanted to make a flashy appearance, telling proudly his name, but he kept his mouth shut and gave another blow with his sword. Kiyokawa parried and the swiftness Hijikata preached couldn't be accomplished anymore.
(Damn Serizawa, you aren't worth your fame.), thought Hijikata, who danced his sword and dashed to the group formed by Ishizaka, Ikeda and Matsuno, engaging in a fierce battle. But he realized that they couldn't stay much longer, fearing they might be recognized. So, he fled, followed by Serizawa.
They ran a long way before they were sure nobody was following them anymore.
"Serizawa sensei, we've failed."
"Hm."
Serizawa was panting heavily, but Hijikata was perfectly normal, used as he was to everyday struggles and petty fights. Serizawa felt Hijikata was thinking that "for a man who mastered the Shintou Munen Style and had even some disciples of his, he isn't that much of a man.", and he(Serizawa) was disgusted.
"It's your fault", he said. Now it was Hijikata who was disgusted.
"What do you mean?"
"Just two more blows and I'd have slain Kiyokawa. But you ran away and we let them go."
"No, I think there's a misunderstanding. We planned that if the first strike failed, we would retreat without further delay."
"You're a clever man."
"Not at all, I'm rather a dumb person."
"No, you're quite intelligent, a proof that you have no guts."
"What?!", Hijikata was furious. "Serizawa sensei, let's see if I have no courage. Draw your sword."
"Let's go", said Serizawa, also drawing his sword.
But then noises of running footsteps came into their ears. Both Serizawa and Hijikata concluded there were Kiyokawa men after them, and they fled together. (...)"
(this episode ends here. Later, Kiyokawa would be murdered by Sasaki Tadasaburou, a kodachi master (resembling Aoshi ^_^) who would be the Chief of the Kyoto Mimawarigumi.)
Shinsengumi: Birth
The reason that Serizawa and Kondou could oppose Kiyokawa was a secret alliance with Matsudaira Katamori, from the "Kyoto Shugoshoku" (the Military Commissioner of Kyoto -- an agency whose goal was to keep peace in Kyoto. Think of it as a Police Department ^_^).
According to "Moeyo Ken", the elder brother of Serizawa, Kimura Denzaemon, was an official of the Mito province, living in Kyoto. So he was quite well acquainted with the officials of the Kyoto Shugoshoku Chuushou Matsudaira Katamori. And that was the reason that the Kondou group had to make alliance with the Serizawa group, though the Kondou group hated Serizawa (except perhaps Okita Souji, because of his personality). The province of Aizu (now Fukushima), i.e., the Matsudaira Higo no Kami, compromised to take care of the group, calling it as "Mibumura Roushi" (the "Wanderers of the Mibu Village"). Nagakura Shinpachi gives the names of the members of the group who stayed in Kyoto: (the names in italic is the Serizawa group, as opposed to the Kondou group)
Serizawa Kamo, Kondou Isami, Hijikata Toshizou, Harada Sanosuke, Toudou Heisuke, Noguchi Kenji, Niimi Nishiki, Yamanami Keisuke, Okita Souji, Inoue Genzaburou, Hirayama Gorou, Hirama Juusuke, Nagakura Shinpachi.
However, the Aizu records show that 24, and not 13 people, remained:
Serizawa Kamo, Niimi Nishiki, Kondou Isami, Negishi Yuuzan, Yamanami Keisuke, Saeki Matasaburou, Hijikata Toshizou, Okita Souji, Inoue Genzaburou, Hirayama Gorou, Noguchi Kenji, Hirama Juusuke, Nagakura Shinpachi, Saitou Hajime, Harada Sanosuke, Toudou Heisuke, Iesato Jirou, Endou Jouan, Tonouchi Yoshio. Plus Kasuya Shingorou, Ueshiro Junnosuke, Suzuki Nagakura, Abira Eisaburou, who didn't present themselves due to illness.
Nowadays, it's commonly accepted that those who wasn't part of the 13 people were either killed or forced to flee.
The group wasn't called yet as Shinsengumi (it would get this name five months later), but it was already the Shinsengumi that would fight against the Ishin Shishi (with Himura Kenshin/Battousai, therefore ^_^) and would be dreaded as the "Wolves of Mibu".
But having an alliance wasn't the same as having money. They were very short of funds them, needing almost to beg for rice. Nagakura Shinpachi remembered later that "in these times we were very, very poor." Frequently, they entered houses, demanding money. And as they had no money to buy clothes, they were almost beggars if they hadn't the swords.
They went recruiting in Kyoto, Osaka and other neighboring cities, gathering about 70 new members. As the group was now large, they needed to organize themselves. In the book "Moeyo Ken", it's Hijikata Toshizou who organized, with the help of Yamanami Keisuke (who hated and was hated by Hijikata Toshizou) and some people from Aizu who knew Western warfare.
The result was:
Kyokuchou (literally "Chief", I prefer "General" or "Commander"):
Serizawa Kamo Mitsumoto (Mito Roushi, Shintou Munen Style Menkyo Kaiden)
Niimi Nishiki Kinzan (Mito Dappan, Shintou Munen Style Menkyo Kaiden, trained in the dojo of Okada Sukezaemon)
Kondou Isami Masanobu (Masayoshi) (Edo Gyofunai Dappan, Tennen Rishin Style Teacher (Shihan), disciple of Kondou Shuusuke, owner of Shieikan)
Fukuchou ("Executive Officer" or "Vice Commander"):
Yamanami Keisuke Tomonobu (Sendai Dappan, Hokushin Ittou Style Menkyo Kaiden at Chiba Shuusaku's dojo (the "Genbukan"), trained again by Kondou Isami)
Hijikata Toshizou Yoshitoyo (Edo Gyofunai Dappan, Tennen Rishin Style Mokuroku (a status inferior to Menkyo Kaiden), disciple of Kondou Shuusuke)
Jokin (Warrant Officers):
Okita Souji (Soushi) Kaneyoshi (Fusanaga) (Shirakawa Dappan, Tennen Rishin Style Menkyo Kaiden, disciple of Kondou Shuusuke and Isami)
Nagakura Shinpachi Noriyuki(Matsumae Dappan, Shintou Munen Style Menkyo Kaiden at Okada Juumatsu dojo)
Harada Sanosuke (Iyomatsuyama Dappan, Taneda Houzouin Style (not kenjutsu style, but a spear style) Menkyo Kaiden at Tani Sanjuurou's dojo)
Toudou Heisuke Nobutora(Edo Gyofunai Dappan, a bastard son of the Isuzu Province Chief Toudou Izuminokami, Hokushin Ittou Style Mokuroku at Chiba Shuusaku's dojo)
Inoue Genzaburou Kazushige(Edo Gyofunai Dappan, Tennen Rishin Style Mokuroku (some say he reached the Menkyo Kaiden) and disciple of Kondou Shuusuke / Isami)
Hirayama Gorou (Mito Dappan, Shintou Munen Style Menkyo Kaiden at Saitou Yakurouu Tokushinsai dojo (the "Renpeikan"))
Noguchi Kenji (Mito Dappan, Mokuroku given from Yurimoto Shouzou, a fabulous swordsman of Shintou Munen Style)
Hirama Juusuke (Mito Dappan, Shintou Munen Style Mokuroku at Serizawa Kamo's dojo. A faithful man to Kamo)
Saitou Hajime (Banshuu Akashi Roushi, master of the Mugai style of kenjutsu)
Ogata Shuntarou (Kumamoto Roushi, a scholar)
Yamazaki Susumu (Osaka Roushi, a master of the Kadori Style of Bo (staff))
Tani Sanjuurou (Osaka Roushi, Harada Sanosuke's master)
Matsubara Chuuji (Tadaji) (Osaka Roushi, Jiu-jutsu teacher of the Sekiguchi style)
Andou Soutarou (Kyoto Itsugatsu Temple Dassou )
Chouyaku Narabi Kansatsu Gata(Investigation and Observation Responsibles (Spies)):
Shimada Kai (Oogaki Dappan)
Kawashima Shouji(Katsuji) (Osaka Roushi)
Hayashi Nobutarou (Osaka Roushi)
Kanteiyaku Narabi Konida Gata (Cleanup Operations and Small Baggage/Luggage Responsibles):
Kishima (Kishida) Yutarou
Okan (Oseki) Yabee (Wada Uemura Dassou)
Kawai Kitarou (Osaka Roushi)
Sakai Hyougo (Osaka Roushi)
Obs: Roushi is the same as Ronin, that is, a free samurai. Dappan, meaning "Out of the Han (literally "fief", "feudal clan". I translated as "province")". So, it is secession from one's clan. The difference between the two is that Roushi, in general, had the previous approval of the Han's chief, whereas a Dappan had not and thus could be compared to a pariah, never allowed to go back to his fief again. Dassou can be translated as "refugee", a "fugitive".
Again, the Serizawa group is in italic. Analysing that a bit, there's something interesting: although the group had two of its members as Kyokuchou, it had none among the Fukuchou and just three members as Jokin. It can be presumed that ALL other people were from Kondou group (especially Saitou Hajime, Yamazaki Susumu and Shimada Kai became known for their loyality). Again in the "Moeyo Ken", it's said that Hijikata put an special emphasis in the recruiting, where Serizawa and his fellows left that matter aside. Furthermore, the ones who effectively held the power were the Fukuchou, as they had control over the Jokin and had direct contact with the members. This would prove fatal for the Serizawa group.
The Mountain-Shaped Stripes In A Light Blue Jacket
As written before, in the beginning the Shinsengumi had no funds and often Kondou borrowed money from his Edo relatives.
But one day, Serizawa Kamo went to Osaka with seven people, Yamanami Keisuke, Nagakura Shinpachi, Harada Sanosuke, Inoue Genzaburou, Hirayama Gorou, Noguchi Kenji and Hirama Juusuke. They went to the estate of Kounoike Zen-emon demanding money. Kounoike was a wealthy man, who traded alcoholic beverages, owned a shipping agency and had a currency exchange house.
The porter, seeing that fearsome group, tried to take them to the rear door, but Serizawa simply said, "It's not civilized manners to lead people to a rear door waiting room just because they are ronins (wanderers)." The porter was frightened and took them to the visitor's room, where ashtrays and tea were offered. He asked what was the purpose of the visit, and Serizawa answered, "I want two hundred gold "ryou" now." (a LOT of money, considering that a person could live confortably with 10 ryous a year -- one ryou was more or less like 800~1000 bucks now). The doorkeeper thought they were one of those ronins who threatened for money, something common in those times, and tried to drive them out, handing five "ryou". Serizawa was infuriated and throwed them back to the porter, who got terrified and ran for help to the "Public Magistrate of the City" ("Machi Bugyousho") There, he was told to treat those ronin well, because they were protected by the Aizu province. Upon hearing that, the very owner, Zen-emon, went back, apologised to the group and handed at once two hundred gold "ryou".
With that money, Serizawa returned to Kyoto and ordered the uniform of the Shinsengumi to the Oomaru Gofuku Store (there's another theory, where Serizawa ordered to the Hishiya Tabee. And as Serizawa didn't pay in time, Oume (a lover of Tabee) went to Mibu to get the payment, until she fell in love with Serizawa and the payment was never made.).
But some days later, Matsudaira Katamori was startled by such news, realizing he had neglected the group. He called Serizawa and told him, "I'll pay these two hundred "ryou", so give them back to the Kounoike family. And if you face any other financial problems, tell me."
Serizawa gave immediately the money back to Kounoike, who saw that the group wasn't an ordinary one, and frequently invited Serizawa and others to have a lunch with him. The bond between Kounoike and Shinsengumi was strengthened. (months later, Kondou Isami would get his famous sword, Nagasone Kotetsu, from Kounoike as a gift)
The uniform Serizawa ordered was "a "Haori"(japanese half-coat) for public duties, whose light blue sleeve had mountain-shaped stripes". And thus the famous Shinsengumi uniform was created.
There's quite a lot of controversy about the color of the Shinsengumi jacket. Some say it was light yellow, and others sustain that it was light blue. The "Shinsengumi Ibun" cover features the light yellow version, whereas Rurouni Kenshin and Shiba Ryoutarou feature the light blue version.
The problem is that, in the original, the Shinsengumi color is described as being "asagiiro". However, there are two "asagiiro", one meaning "light yellow" and the other, "light blue", as shows the image below:
So, it isn't clear whether the uniform was blue or not. As the color of Aizu, their patron, was yellow, their uniform could be light yellow with white mountain-shaped stripes in the sleeve. But in the Shinsengumi movies and "dramas" (soap operas), their uniform is blue, as is in Rurouni Kenshin. I prefer the light blue version, since the uniform was said to be very flashy.
And it was very flashy and fearsome at the same time. It is said that when they went on duty, everybody avoided looking at them, out of pure terror.
And their flag was a red flag with white mountain-shaped stripes, with the "Makoto" (fidelity) character in white. The size was 1,80m x 1,80m (according to Nagakura Shinpachi). IMHO, never a flag represented so good a troop. The Shinsengumi were loyal to the Bakufu until the very end.
NOTE: There's another type of Shinsengumi uniform, often shown in TV shows also. The jacket is white and the stripes are dark blue or black (like Sanada from Last Blade 2). That uniform is NOT from the Shisengumi, let's make this clear. That uniform belongs to the "Shinsengumi's ancestors" ^_^ called the "Akou Roushi" (or "Chuushingura"). The "Akou Roushi" is a VERY famous group in Japan due to their loyality to the chief of the fief. When the chief was murdered, the 48 "Akou Roushi" swore revenge, and they got it, many, many years later (this is simplifying the story too much, but... ^_^). Its uniform was the "design motif" for the Shinsengumi, hence the striking similarity between them. But the "Akou Roushi" is another story (a fantastic story, mind you), maybe for another manga... ^_^
The Dreaded Five Articles Of The Shinsengumi Law
Soon after the formation of Shinsengumi, the laws of the group were established. In "Shinsengumi Shimatsuki", it's Kondou Isami who devised the laws, while other sources claim that Serizawa Kamo was the author.
IMHO, I prefer the "Moeyo Ken" version, where Hijikata Toshizou devised them. The reason is simple: none of the above two is likely to have created them. Kondou Isami was a very harsh person when on duty, but he was known by his gentleness off-duty and they say he was even a bit light-hearted. Serizawa Kamo wouldn't establish laws that were clearly against his usual deeds.
But Hijikata Toshizou is widely known for his cunning and craftiness and feared because of his iron will. He is the most probable author of the Shinsengumi law.
There were five articles:
Dai ichijou: Shidou ni somuki majiki koto.
First Article: It's not allowed to deviate from the path proper to man.
Dai nijou: Kyoku wo dassuru kotowo yurusazu.
Second Article: It's not allowed to leave the Shinsengumi.
Dai sanjyou: Katte ni kinsaku itasubekarazu.
Third Article: It's not allowed to raise money privately.
Dai shijou: Katte ni soshou toriatsukaubekarazu.
Fourth Article: It's not allowed to take part in other's (other than Shinsengumi's) litigation.
These five articles were read in front of every Shinsengumi member, along with some more items. The most famous ones were the following:
"Kumigashira ga moshi toushi shita baaiwa, kumishuu wa sono ba de toushi subeshi."
"If the leader of a unit (that is, a Jokin (later called Kumichou and after that, Fukuchou Jokin), Petty Officer) is mortally wounded in a fight, all the members of the unit must fight and die on the spot."
"Hageshiki kokou ni oite shishou zokushutsusutomo kumigashira no shitai no hoka wa hikishirizokukotomakarinarazu."
"Even in a fight where the death toll is high, it is not allowed to retrieve the bodies of the dead, except the corpse of the leader of the unit."
And the most dreaded one was:
"Moshi taishiga koumuni yorazushite machi de taigai no mono to arasoi, teki to yaiba wo kawashi, jibunga kizu wo oite aite wo shitomekirazuni nigashita baai, ushirokizu no baai no gotokimo seppuku wo meizuru."
"If a Shinsengumi member engage in a fight with a stranger, be it on duty or not, if he is wounded and can't kill the enemy, allowing him to run away, even in case of a wound in the back (meaning a treacherous attack), seppuku (self-disembowelment, more famous as 'harakiri') is ordered."
There was only one penalty for the non-compliment of the law: death.
Japan had never seen such laws (even in the Civil War (Sengoku), it was allowed to retreat and to retrieve the bodies of the dead comrades). Of course, the death order was preceded by a deep investigation, in order to bring all the relevant facts, and sometimes the order was not issued. But more often than not, the blood of Shinsengumi members flowed like water in Kyoto.
In "Moeyo Ken", there's a dialogue between Hijikata Toshizou and Okita Souji about the last item, that show a bit what such laws meant for the Shinsengumi members:
"(...)There's one curious item. This item, Hijikata believed, would make iron run in the veins of the Shinsengumi members. It's written, 'If a Shinsengumi member engage in a fight with a stranger, be it on duty or not, if he is wounded and can't kill the enemy, allowing him to run away, even in case of a wound in the back (meaning a treacherous attack),...'
'What would happen?', asked Okita Souji.
'...seppuku (self-disembowelment) is ordered.', was the answer of Hijikata.
Souji laughed, 'Now that's too cruel. Wounding the enemy is already something, isn't it? There can be times when the enemy is able to evade. It's too cruel to order seppuku just because they let the enemy run away.'
'With this, everybody will fight for their life.'
'But, I'm sorry if I'm throwing mud at your marvellous masterpiece, but in the long run the joke will be on you. For the Shinsengumi members, it will be better to run away from the enemy without a scratch, instead of fighting foes and wounding them.'
'That will punished with seppuku also.'
'Huh?'
'First Article: It's not allowed to deviate from the path proper to man.'
'I see...'
For the Shinsengumi members, once they unsheath their swords, they have no other way than go and kill the foes, no matter what the cost.
'And if they refuse to do so?'
'Seppuku.'
'The more coward ones will try to leave the Shinsengumi.'
'That will also be punished with seppuku, based on the Second Article.' (...)"
In Rurouni Kenshin, there's reference to the First Article in volume 7.
Facing a Tiger
Once, there was a big tiger being exhibited in Matsubara Doori Karasuma Inaba Yakushi, along with parrots, parakeets, etc. As they were very rare, the exhibition drew a lot of people and attention.
But suddenly, there were rumors assuring that the big tiger was nothing but a man in a tiger-like clothing, for "it was impossible that such beautiful birds and beasts could exist".
Serizawa heard that and he said, "well then, let me play with that tiger-man. Three of you, come with me."
There, they managed to get to the tiger's jail, and Serizawa, without taking notice of the tiger keeper, entered the jail. He walked right in front of the tiger and in an instant drew his sword, pointing it to the very nose of the tiger. Everybody was taken by surprise, as the tiger growled loudly in a deafening howl, glaring fiercely at Serizawa. Serizawa also was a bit surprised, and sheathing his sword, laughed nervously, "well, this isn't a fake at all..." But the exhibition staff didn't know he was Serizawa Kamo, and five or six people came running, yelling, "what the hell are you doing?!" Serizawa didn't heed them, prefering to watch quietly and closely the tiger.
The staff was more and more enraged, trying even to use violence to draw Serizawa out of the tiger's jail, but Saeki Matasaburou (one of the men who followed Serizawa) got angry at that and said, "are you blind or not?! Don't you recognize him as the Shinsengumi Kyokuchou Serizawa sensei?!"
They were astounded and fearful, but it was too late. Serizawa didn't say a thing for a moment, but then he told Sasaki, a man who was also with the Serizawa group, "Sasaki, get those parrots and wash them. They're all but a fake."
Serizawa Kamo Causes Trouble Again
By the end of June, an official(diplomat) of Minakuchi province, when meeting with an official of Aizu province, accidentally complained that "there are many violence done by your Roushi group (Shinsengumi), sometimes upsetting us." And that complaint reached Serizawa's ears.
Serizawa was very angry and ordered four people, Nagakura Shinpachi, Inoue Genzaburou, Harada Sanosuke and Takeda Kanryuusai, to "arrest the Minakuchi official". So they went to the Minakuchi estate, but the province knew that handing the official would be the same as sending him to death, so Nagakura got a formal letter of apology and got back.
But if the chief of Minakuchi province happened to know that, for sure he'd oblige the official to commit seppuku (or harakiri). The people from the Minakuchi estate got so upset that they used the owner of a kenjutsu (Jiki Shinkage style)dojo, to try to convince the Mibumura Roushigumi to retrieve the letter back.
Serizawa was convinced, but he said that he needed the agreement of every member of his group (that is, he demanded a party to be held). So the Minakuchi province invited all the Mibumura Roushigumi to the Sumiya, in Shimabara. Shimabara was then a very famous licensed quarters and Sumiya was one of the finest houses there.
There, the issue of the letter of apology was quickly solved and soon began the party. But Serizawa was a terrible man when drunk. According (again) to Nagakura Shinpachi, Serizawa Kamo was outraged because there were only gueishas and no parlormaids (who probably were too afraid of him).
So he used his famous iron fan and started destroying everything, even china, and ripped the sake galons, flooding the place with sake. In the end, he laughed maniacally, shouting as he left, "Sumiya Tokuemon, due to your insolent behavior, I confine you in this house for seven days!"
Fight With A Sumo Wrestler
As the Mibumura Roushigumi (Shinsengumi) was working hard in Kyoto, the Ishin Shishis had no freedom of movement in that city. So, naturally they started to meet in the neighboring cities, especially Osaka, therefore causing a major headache to the public officers in Osaka, concerned with the violence such men would surely bring into the city. So, they asked the help of the Kyoto public officers, who sent the Mibumura Roushigumi to Osaka.
There they stayed in the Funayado Kyouya of Osaka Tenma Yaken-ya, whose owner was Chuubee. On July 15th, a very hot day, Serizawa decided to cool himself and ordered a boat to be prepared. He took seven people, Yamanami Keisuke, Okita Souji, Nagakura Shinpachi, Hirayama Gorou, Saitou Hajime, Shimada Kai and Noguchi Kenji with himself. The boat went down the Yodo river, but when they were close to Nabejimagishi, in the shore of Nakano Island, Saitou got suddenly sick. So, they decided to get out of the boat and started walking. They were heading to Oimatsuchou, but a sumo wrestler were in their way. Serizawa said dryly, "Get out of our way", but the wrestler didn't knew they were the feared Shinsengumi and replied, "What do you mean, 'get out of my way'?" Serizawa didn't answer. He got close to the wrestler and suddenly the fighter gave a loud cry and fell to the ground, a deep sword wound in his chest. Serizawa kept on walking as nothing happened, not even looking at the dead.
Soon after, when they were in the Shijimi Bridge, another sumo wrestler were in their way. This time, Serizawa knocked him down with his iron fan and the group headed north, to the Sumiyoshirou Store, to have Saitou treated and to hold a party.
But soon there was noise outside. Looking down there were several sumo wrestlers from the Onogawa Kisaburou Heya(sumo dojo), looking for revenge and demanding loudly the Shinsengumi to be sent for trial. Serizawa yelled, "Is this the way you treat other people?!", and jumped to the ground, as he drawed his sword. The other men also jumped and the struggle began.
The fight was very heated and in the end the sumo wrestlers retreated, with three dead men and about thirty injured for the wrestler's side and a slightly wounded man (Hirayama) for the Shinsengumi side. This issue was completely solved, as the leaders of the sumo wrestlers in Osaka apologised formally to Serizawa and Kondou (who didn't take part in the episode), offering as a gift fine sake and fifty gold ryou. (there was trouble due to this episode that Kondou would face, but that's another story.)
This episode made the Shinsengumi famous and feared for their courage and strength. After, the leaders of the Osaka sumo wrestlers went formally to apologise to Kondou Isami and Serizawa Kamo. So everything was solved, and the Shinsengumi helped with a sumo event that took place in Kyoto. Serizawa Kamo helped as well, and in the end he caught some fish to the Osaka sumo wrestlers from a pond in a temple. The wrestlers were a bit afraid, because it was said that the fish were protected by the gods, but Serizawa laughed and said, "Why the knights of loyality and patriotism should be afraid of some petty gods?", and thus everybody ate the fish.
Heavy Artillery Used In The Very City Of Kyoto
Since June, a group called the Tenchuugumi (yes the same Tenchuu that appears in Rurouni Kenshin, for those who know ^_^), whose goal was to make an coup d'etat (deposing the Bakufu (Shogun) government and swearing fealty to the Emperor, acting as a battle regiment against the foreigners) was raising funds by taking money (robbing) from the merchants who worked with foreigners. They threatened the Yamato Store, a fabrics dealer. The owner, Yamato Shoubee, was frightened to death, and he asked for protection to the Kyoto Shugoshoku, who sent the Shinsengumi. But in the meantime, he also paid a very high amount of money (10,000 ryou) to a member of the Daigo family (a family close to the Emperor), asking for protection also. When Serizawa Kamo knew that, he got enraged: he took the only cannon (!) Shinsengumi had and with six men he went to the Yamato Store, in the evening. There, he demanded loudly that the owner came to him explain what was that about, that is, why the owner paid such a high amount of money to others than the Shinsengumi, without giving a single ryou to him. The doorkeeper was pale with fear, and told that the owner wasn't in the house at the moment.
Serizawa knew that was a lie. He said, "I see..." and he ordered an mass attack with the cannon, trying to burn the house down. But the cannon wasn't a good one, whereas the house was firmly built, so the fire didn't start until dawn. Throughout the night the cannon was fired, and countless times the alarm bell rang, bringing many people to the neighborhoods of the house to help fighting the fire. But everybody was kept away from the Yamato house, as Serizawa men pointed guns and swords in a threatening manner. Serizawa was on a roof atop a nearby house, laughing cheerfully as the cannon fired.
The attack lasted until the next afternoon, and Serizawa left giggling, "That was good, that was good", and the house was completely destroyed and plundered.
The Kyoto Shugoshoku was apparently indifferent to these atrocities, but it's said that Matsudaira Katamori, furious, ordered the murder of Serizawa Kamo to Kondou Isami, Hijikata Toshizou, Okita Souji, Yamanami Keisuke and Harada Sanosuke.
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