[caocao74]

Shinsengumi 新選組
–Government Thugs or Embers of a Dying Age

Origins and Establishment

Perhaps few organizations in Japanese history have attracted the popular interest as the Shinsengumi have. Individuals figure strongly in popular culture, and the list is a long one; the swordsman Musashi Miyamoto, the punished scholar and Courtier Sugiwara Michizane, or the victorious samurai Minamoto Yoshitsune hunted down by his own brother. In terms of groupings, perhaps only the 47 Ronin of Chushingura fame compare with the Shinsengumi in terms of appeal to the popular imagination. They have been the subjects of manga (such as ‘Peacemaker Kurogane’ (based upon the original ‘Shinsengumi Imon Peacemaker’) by Nanae Kurono), television dramas (such as the 2004 NHK production shown below on the left) and movies (for instance, Nagisa Oshima’s 2000 production ‘Gohatto’(‘Taboo’)(below, on right), and the opportunities seem endless to utilize the short-lived history of the controversial organization.



The Shinsengumi (or Mibu-rou (‘Wolves of Mibu’) were a product of the turbulent, often confused period of transition and collapse that dominated Japan in the 1860s. Commodore Matthew Perry had breached the traditional exclusionism of the Tokugawa (徳川), and as a result the Bakufu (幕府), already weakened dramatically by infighting and lack-lustre leadership, was on its knees as the daimyou separated into two camps; one for the Imperial throne (led finally by Satsuma and Choushuu) and one for the Tokugawa.



In this atmosphere, the ‘group of new chosen ones’ (literal translation of Shinsengumi) emerged from the previous Roushigumi (a.k.a. Roushitai). Fearing the rise of the pro-Imperial forces, dominated by those advocating the rallying cry of sonnou joui (尊皇攘夷, lit."Revere the Emperor, Expel the Barbarians"), primarily the Satsuma and Choushuu lords, the Aizu clan organized a band of samurai (mostly ronin) from Edo and Kyoto to control the capital and counterbalance the anti-Bakufu forces. Dressed in their distinctive, rather ostentatious, and particularly un-martial uniforms the Shinsengumi became the backbone of Bakufu efforts to retain control over the turbulent streets of Kyoto.
The original protection of Tokugawa influence in Kyoto was in the hands of the Roushigumi, established by Kiyokawa Hachiro. Kiyokawa had misled the Bakufu though, and he planned to use the funds he’d received to support to pro-Imperial groups in Kyoto. On 08.02.1863 the 250 members (including Kondou Isami, Niimi Nishiki, Hirayama Gorou, Hirama Juusuke, Hijikata Toshizou, Okita Souji, Inoue Gensaburou, Toudou Heisuke, Harada Sanosuke, Nagakura Shinpachi and Noguchi Kengi, many of whom had been loyalist Tengutou samurai)) gathered in Edo, arriving in Kyoto on 23.02.1863, and taking up their lodgings in a temple in the nearby village of Mibu. But the beginnings of the life of the Roushigumi had been rather troubling. As the group entered the post town of Honchou, it was clear that Serizawa Kamo and his unit had not been assigned lodgings. Either Kondou had forgotten or had already began to distrust the former Tengutou samurai. Ikeda and Kondou attempted to appease Serizawa, and apparently Serizawa was calmed, offering to make himself a fire and rest. Soon a huge bonfire raged uncontrollably, forcing local villagers to call on a local official. Serizawa was only calmed down after he rudely pushed the official to the ground. The fire was put out but Kondou had clearly been riled, as had Yamaoka Tesshuu (Tetsutarou) who threatened to leave the group.

[img=http://img398.imageshack.us/img398/3121/shinsengumimibuheadquarters0dv.jpg]
Image of the Shinsengumi HQs in Mibu

Trouble was always a distinct possibility. After 16 days on the road, the Roushigumi reached Kyoto and were offered 3 days leave to relax and act as tourists. Splits were already clear to see. Although the headquarters of the Roushigumi/Shinsengumi were in Mibu, on the estate of Yagi Gennojou, it was at Maekawa Shouji’s estate that Londou preferred to spend much of his time with his close associates. Kiyokawa however decided to return the Roushigumi to Edo. As the Roushigumi gathered at the Shintoku temple in Mibu in front of Kiyokawa, he announced that he had decided that his unit was in fact to protect the Emperor, not the Tokugawa. Most of Roushigumi followed their founder, but from its ranks emerged the thirteen (or perhaps up to 25 (sources vary) founding members of the Shinsengumi, led by the three commanders; Kondou Isami, Serizawa Kamo and Niimi Nishiki. Loyal to the Bakufu to the last in most cases, on 10.03.1863 the Mibu Roushigumi commanders wrote to the Aizu clan, requesting that it be permitted to patrol the capital on behalf of the Bakufu, an offer accepted by daimyo of Aizu and Kyoto Shugoshoku (Military Commissioner of Kyoto), Matsudaira Higo no Kami Katamori two days later. It would thus come as perhaps a little surprising that two of its early commanders, Serizawa and Niimi, would do so much to tarnish the force’s image through their debauched and often criminal behaviour. Thus, it would be after their deaths that Kondou would establish the Shinsengumi as the effective, if short-lived, Bakufu police of Kyoto.
An early priority though was the removal of Kiyokawa Hachirou. Everyday Kiyokawa visited the Gakushuuin, where he met the court nobles who aimed to topple the Bakufu, but so fearful was he of an assassination attempt that he took a different route on each occasion. Serizawa followed him relentlessly, until he discovered a point which Kiyokawa always had to pass. With information passed onto just Kondou, Niimi and Hijikata, the assassination planning was begun. Working in pairs (Kondou and niimi, Hijikata and Serizawa) they waited in an empty house, but a clear chance never appeared, until one night as Serizawa and Hijikata waited. They struck quickly, extinguishing the lamps of Kiyokawa’s three guards, but a fatal blow could not be struck and the assailants fled. It would be Sasaki Tadasaburou of the Mimawarigumi who would finally kill him

Initially the new ‘police’ force established to assist Matsudaira Katamori (not called the Shinsengumi) was made up of two groups under the leadership of Serizawa, Kondou (although a sub-group may have existed under Tomouchi (marked with *);

Serizawa group
-Serizawa Kamo, Niimi Nishiki, Hirayama Gorou, Hirama Juusuke, Noguchi Kenji, Araya Shingorou and saeki Matasaburou.

Kondou group
-Kondou Isami, Hijikata Toshizou, Inoue Genzaburou, Okita Souji, Nagakura Shinpachi, Saitou Hajime, Harada Sanosuke, Toudou Heisuke, Tomouchi Yoshio*, Iesato Jirou*, Abiru Aisaburo* and Negishi Yuuzan*.

Within the corps ranks were distributed as follows;

Kyokuchou (Chief/Commander)
-Serizawa Kamo, Niimi Nishiki and Kondou Isami.
Fukuchou (Executive Officer)
-Yamanami Keisuke and Hijikata Toshizou.
Jokin (Warrant Officers)
-Okita Souji, Nagakura Shinpachi, Harada Sanosuke, Toudou Heisuke , Inoue Genzaburou, Hirayama Gorou, Noguchi Kenji, Hirama Juusuke, Saitou Hajime, Ogata Shuntarou, Tani Sanjurou, Matsubara Chuuji and Andou Soutarou.
Chouyaku Narabi Kansatsu Gata (Investigators and Observers)
-Shimada Kai, Kawashima Shouji and Hayashi Nobutarou.
Kanteiyaku Narabi Konida Gata (Cleanup and Luggage Operations)
-Kishima Yutarou, Okan Yabee, Kawai Kitarou and Sakai Hyougo.

However, the feud between Serizawa and Kondou blew up again. Serizawa visited Osaka with seven others (Yamanami, Nagakura, Harada, Inoue, Hirayama, Noguchi and Hirama), and demanded money from the merchant Kounoike Zenemon. Kounoike had done well from economic good fortune and wise investments, but the demand of Serizawa to be given 200 gold ryou was outrageous (perhaps as much as $200,000 at today’s values). A scuffle ensued between a servant and the roushi, and the Machi Bugyosho (City Magistrate) was called. It was he who realized that these were men serving Aizu, and Kounoike was quick to find the money demanded of him. The reputation of the future Shinsengumi had already clearly spread, but such news shocked Matsudaira who promptly ordered the money be paid back, and then he would meet the group’s costs. The event had however brought Kounoike close to Serizawa, and the group in general (including Kondou). With the money the group bought their first uniforms, the famous light-blue (or light-yellow, sources again vary, since asagiiro can be construed as either) haori (half-coat) with white mountain stripes.
In June, Serizawa, while drunk again, smashed up the Sumiya restaurant in Shimabara, after attacking the estate of an official from Minakuchi who had complained about certain roushi and their behaviour; the meeting actually arranged to calm the situation between Serizawa and the official, but Serizawa was proving just too troublesome (particularly when near alcohol!). While in Osaka (a frequent haunt for many of the roushi) on 15.07.1863 Serizawa’s group was out drinking heavily, when for reasons unknown Serizawa got into a brawl with, of all people, a sumo wrestler, and subsequently the other 25 or 30 wrestlers from the Onogawa Kisaburou Heya (dojo). Serizawa’s group was virtually unscathed, but around them lay ten dead and wounded wrestlers, with only Hirayama from Serizawa’s group slightly hurt.
Then on 12.08.1863 his group destroyed the Yamatoya silk store with a cannon, when the staff members wouldn’t hand over cash. The loyalist Tenchuugumi had taken to the profitable trade was threatening those merchants who worked with foreign traders. Yamato Shoubee appealed to the Kyoto Shugosoku who dispatched the Shinsengumi to help, but when they arrived they found out that Yamato had paid protection money to the Daigo family. Serizawa was furious and for a day pounded the building, finally creating enough fires to overwhelm the ‘defenders.’
On 18.08.1863 the capital was in turmoil. In the so-called Kinmon no Seihen (‘Political Upheaval of the Forbidden Gates’), or Hachigatsu Juuhachinichi no Seihen (‘18th August Political Upheaval’) the pro-Tokugawa forces (primarily from the Aizu and Satsuma, led by Shimazu Hisamitsu who at this stage was not opposed to the Bakufu) forced the Choushuu samurai and advisors out of the Imperial Court (the Shichigyou Ochi (‘Flight of the Seven Aides’), and forbidden from undertaking protection of the gates.


The Shichigyou Ochi (‘Flight of the Seven Aides’)

The members of the Mibu Roushigumi were called in on the side of the Bakufu, tasked with guarding the gates, at the request of Nomura Sahyoue. At this stage the Aizu leader Matsudaira Higo no Kami Katamori (or the Emperor (via his advisors Nomiya Shunkatsu and Asuka Igaten)?) allegedly gave the group the title Shinsengumi. The force was now an army, as Serizawa organized the Roushigumi into two rows of 40 men each, present in front of their red banner. However as they approached the palace, they found it guarded by Aizu troops. A confrontation threatened (largely through understanding), but Serizawa’s bravado seems to have prevented the loss of blood at the Hamaguri gate. Without combat the Shinsengumi had engaged in their first ‘battle.’


Hamagurimon

[caocao74]

The Characters

(NB. In the descriptions some characters are described as ‘dappan’, others as ‘roushi.’ A roushi (better known as ‘rounin’)(‘wave man’ or free samurai) was generally freed of their obligation to their fief, while a dappan had not, and had effectively broken their bonds of loyalty. ‘Dassou’ refers to a runaway or fugitive).

Andou Soutarou
A dassou from the Itsugatsu temple in Kyoto.

Harada Sanosuke
A dappan from Iyomatsuyama, he was trained in the Taneda Houzouin style of spear fighting at Tani Sanjuurou’s dojo, holding the status of Menkyo Kaiden (highest status).

Hayashi Nobutarou
A roushi from Osaka, he served as one of the Shinsengumi’s Chouyaku Narabi Kansatsu Gata (lit. spies).

Hijikata Toshizou (Yoshitoyo) 土方歳三 (1835-11.05.1869)


Hijikata, the deputy leader of the Shinsengumi, was born in what is now Hino, a suburb of Tokyo. The son of a well-to-do farmer, and perhaps because he was the 6th son he was thoroughly spoilt and known to be rude and harsh towards all who were not kith or kin. Apparently this attitude toward others was comprehensively altered in 1864 by the seppuku of a 21-year old samurai from Aizu. As an Aizu samurai, he loyally supported the Tokugawa Bakufu (and therefore opposed the Imperial camp). As a member of the Roushigumi, Hijikata attended the funeral, and is said to have wept uncontrollably in public. Despite such early criticisms (along with being a dappan from Edo Gyofunai), he was a skilled swordsman and a loyal disciple of Kondou Shuusuke.
By the end of 1864, he, and Kondou Isami had founded the Shinsengumi. Hijikata however did not take a leadership role, but became a deputy, leaving the leadership of the group to Kondou Isami, Serizawa Kamo and Niimi Nishiki; whose ‘social’ life did perhaps most to tarnish the image of the force. Hijikata was far from impressed by his superiors’ behaviour, and it was his investigation that led to the gathering of damning evidence that forced the seppuku of Niimi. Hijikata, armed with his katana named Kanesada, clearly earned the nickname the ‘Demon of the Shinsengumi.’ With Niimi dead by his own hand, Serizawa then met his end, assassinated on 30.10.1863 for reasons, and yet persons, as yet only conjectured. This left only Kondou in command, with Hijikata as his martinet of deputy, harshly enforcing discipline within the ranks of the Shinsengumi and amongst the general populace upon the streets of Kyoto. When his close friend Yamanami Keisuke tried to leave the Shinsengumi in 1865, Hijikata was unwilling to show favour, and forced the seppuku required of such members who deserted or wanted to quit.
By the late Spring of 1868 the end of the Shinsengumi, and the Tokugawa Bakufu, was in sight. In April, Kondou had been captured and executed by Imperial forces. Hijikata knew the continued fight was futile, but he realized that someone had to go down fighting for the Tokugawa. On 11.05.1869 he led the remnants of the Shinsengumi into battle, when he was mortally wounded by a bullet to the lower back. With him died the last embers of pro-Tokugawa militancy, and although his burial site remained elusive (although a memorial stands next to Kondou Isami’s near Itabashi station in Tokyo) he remains one of the most popular historical figures from the whole episode of the Shinsengumi.

Hirama Juusuke
Faithful to Serizawa Kamo, Hirama was a Mito dappan, trained at Serizawa’s dojo in the Shintou Munen style.

Hirayama Gorou
A dappan from Mito, Hirayama trained at the ‘Renpeikan’, a Shintou Munen style dojo ran by Saitou Yakurouu Tokushinsai.

Inoue Genzaburou Kazushige (01.03.1829-1868)
Born in Tama (in Hino), Inoue was the 3rd son of Inoue Matsugorou of the Hachioji Sennin Toushin (Tokugawa farmer-samurai descended from Takeda retainers of the Sengokujidai). From a family of reasonable stature, upon coming of age Genzaburou (along with his father and five brothers) were initiated in Kondou Shuusuke’s Rishin Ryuu in 1847. Also like Kondou Isami and Hijikata Toshizou, he was a dappan from Edo Gyofunai).
When the Roushigumi transferred from Edo to Kyoto in 1863, Inoue joined up, and when the Shinsengumi was established, he became the oldest member. Popular with the younger members, he also was respected by Kondou and Hijikata, being appointed the Shieikan’s representative in foreign affairs, the assistant to the Fukuchou and captain of the 6th unit.
Having served meritoriously during the Ikedaya jiken, at the age of forty, Inoue was shot at the Battle of Toba-Fushimi, and died.

Itou Kashitarou (1835-18.11.1867)


Born as Suzuki Ookura Takeakira in Chiyoda in Hitachi, Itou was the elder brother of Suzuki Mikisaburou. Born into relatively good samurai stock, their father appears to have gotten into a feud with the head of the clan, which resulted in the family name being dissolved and being exiled from their land in Shizuki. They moved to their great-grandmother’s home-village of Sakuramura. After a few months they were restored to their name, pardoned, but still prohibited from returning to Shizuki. Thereafter, the family settled in the village of Takahama near presnt-day Ishioka, the father establishing a school of Chinese studies.
Soon after the Ookura joined Itou dojo, his father died in 1852. While his brother took over the school, Itou assumed responsibility for his mother and two sisters. Little is then known of his movements until 1864 when it is first thought that he became involved with the sonnou joui faction called Tengutou at Tsukubasan. Soon after he was married to Ume, the daughter of a master of Hokushin Ittoryuu, Itou Seiichiro. Without a son, Seiichirou adopted Ookura as his heir, hence taking the name Itou, and then within weeks was invited to join the Shinsengumi by his friend Toudou Heisuke. Itou was apparently enthused, and within days he was in Kyoto (having closed the dojo and settled his wife in a house in Mitadai, in Edo). This was when he first became known as Itou Kashitarou. However he was soon back in Edo, forced to return by Ume’s claims that his mother Koyo was seriously ill. Upon arrival though he found his mother well, and Ume just concerned about her husband being in the volatile environment of Kyoto. Infuriated, Kashitarou divorced Ume and she falls from the pages of history.
Back in Kyoto, Kashitarou immediately began to cause waves in the Shinsengumi. Most noticeably he opposed the traditional views on combat of Takeda Kanryuusai, advocating the adoption of more Western techniques. He was clearly also intelligent and popular, not just with the likes of Nagakura Shinpachi and Saitou Hajime, but also the ladies, having a mistress in Gion, a tayuu in Wachigaya and another mistress with whom he had a son. This friendship between members irked Kondou, partilarly with Nagakura who had already petitioned Aizu-han regarding Kondou’s alleged poor leadership. But Saitou’s friendship to Itou would prove essential to Kondou in the events of 03.1867, when Itou was permitted to breakaway from the Shinsengumi to form the semi-autonomous Kodaiji (a.k.a. Goryoueji). Saitou followed Itou, but as Kondou’s informant. His breakaway group was to prove a great nuisance though despite the relationship with the Shinsengumi, until 18.11.1867. As Itou (or as he had recently became, Settsu) left a meeting with Kondou he was ambushed and murdered, his body dumped to draw out his men. Toudou Heisuke and Hattori Takeo were then killed, his mistresses and other supporters forced into flight.

Kawai Kitarou
One of the members responsible for luggage and cleanup operations, Kawai was another roushi from Osaka.

Kawashima Shouji (Katsuji)
Like Hayashi Nobutarou, Kawashima was an Osaka roushi who served as a Chouyaku Narabi Kansatsu Gata (lit. spies).

Kishima (Kishida) Yutarou
One of the members responsible for luggage and cleanup operations, Kishima’s past remains largely a mystery outside of literature.

Kondou Isami (Masanobu) 近藤勇 (1834 – 25.04.1868)


Born into an agricultural family of Tama (now in Tokyo), Kondou rose above his farming background and realized his ambitions to become a samurai, and became sole head of the Shinsengumi after the deaths of Serizawa and Niimi.
In 1863 Kondou, by then a dappan from Edo Gyofunai joined the Roushigumi in Edo, before it transferred to Kyoto (where Kondou was responsible for finding the 250 members their lodgings, although he ‘forgot’ to arrange accommodation for Serizawa’s group), alongside other samurai such as Okita Souji, Yamanami Keisuke and Hijikata Toshizou. The Roushigumi was soon ‘dissolved’ by its founder, Kiyokawa Hachiro, but many members, including Kondou, remained in Kyoto. There they formed the Miburou Roushigumi; effectively the police force in the capital under the control of the pro-Tokugawa Aizu clan led by Matsudaira Katamori. On 18.08.1863, the group was renamed the Shinsengumi.
Kondou had originally been one of the three commanders (with Niimi and Serizawa), but their deaths left Kondou as the sole commander. Their demises had been an internal crisis, but their behaviour in the capital had earned the Shinsengumi a reputation for drunkenness and various other seedy goings-on. Under the leadership of Kondou, the Shinsengumi was seen to clean up its act, and the Ikedaya Jiken (Ikedaya Affair) did much to improve its image and a source for law and order.
Kondou remained in charge but as the Tokugawa Bakufu teetered he returned to Edo, and when it finally collapsed, ultimately in military terms at the Battle of Toba-Fushimi (01.1868), he surrendered. He had lived as a samurai, but at the last he was denied the right of seppuku because of his lowly birth, and on 25.04.1868 he was beheaded in Kyoto.

Matsubara Chuuji (Tadaji)
A roushi from Osaka, Matsubara was a Sekiguchiryu jiujutsu teacher, and popularly emembered for being rather rotund.

Mikura IsetakeA Shinsengumi member but later found to be a Choushuu spy.

Nagakura Shinpachi (Noriyuki) 永倉新八
Nagakura was a dappan from Matsumae and a junior member of the Shinsengumi, captain of the second troop, although he occasionally took command of the first after Okita Souji became ill. A Menkyo Kaiden swordsman of the Shintou Munenryu at the Okada Juumatsu dojo, he perhaps more importantly was the author of Shinsengumi tenmatsu ki (A Full Account of the Shinsengumi).

Nakajima Nobori (1837-02.04.1887)


Born Minekichi, Nakajima was the son of Nakajima Yukichi (a district doushin (constable)(and his wife Ichi) in Bushu, Nishideragata, in southern Tama in Musashi. At the age of 19 in 1856 he began the study of Tennen Rishin Ryuu, under Yamamoto Manjirou, a style of which he became a teacher. Putting his sword to use would put him in trouble though. Having joined one of the reorganized Hachiouji doushin units, he killed a fellow member in 1864 and fled, and joined the Shinsengumi (having divorced his wife previously, although possible that she divorced him). When he actually joined the Shinsengumi is unclear; Nakajima’s records claiming 1864, but the Shinsengumi records claiming 1867.
Whenever he joined is irrelevant when the issue is placed beside his personal loyalty to Kondou Isami. When Kondou left Kyoto after the Battle of Toba-Fushimi to work directly for the Bakufu, as commander of the Koyochinbutai, Nakajima joined him. Later, when Kondou was captured by the Imperial forces of Arima Fujita, Nakajima followed the army to locate Kondou, but returned to Hijikata empty-handed. Defeat at Katsunuma killed off the Koyochinbutai, so Nakajima rejoined the Shinsengumi and travelled to Aizu, from Sendai to Hakodate with Hijikata during the Boshin War (戊辰戦争). The days for the Bakufu loyalists were limited though. He escaped to Hakodate on 25.02.1869, but was then forced to surrender at Benten fort. In 1870 he was taken into kinshin (punitive custody) by Tsuruga province, but he left for Musashi, only to join a group of former Bakufu retainers open a pawn shop in Hamamatsu. The business failed for he remained in the city, opening a gun-shop in Shinmyo-machi, and assisting the local police keep the last hotbed of Tokugawa loyalists secure for the new authorities.


Niimi Nishiki (or Shinmi Nishiki) (Kinzan) 新見錦 (1836-10.09.1863)
Born in Mito, Niimi (although his original name is unknown) was born into traditional samurai stock, gaining for himself a Menkyo Kaiden license in Shintou Munen-ryu swordsmanship. Upon the formation of the Shinsengumi he was a leading character, a captain alongside Serizawa Kamo and Kondou Isami. However, like Serizawa, Niimi’s behaviour was deemed unacceptable to Kondou and Hijikata. He was first demoted, then on 08.09.1863 he was forced to commit seppuku, as part of the conspiracy led by Kondou to destroy the Serizawa group and prevent members joining the anti-Tokugawa forces.

Noguchi Keiji (1852-28.12.1863)
A dappan from Mito, Noguchi was a young acolyte of Serizawa Kamo, although he only held the status of Mokuroku (in the Shintou Munenryu). After Serizawa’s murder, Noguchi fled but it is debated whether he died through seppuku or at the hand of Harada Sanosuke.

Ogata Shuntarou
Ogata was a scholarly roushi from rather distant Kumamoto.

Okan (Oseki) Yabee
One of the members responsible for luggage and cleanup operations, Okan was a dassou from Wada Uemura.

Okita Souji (Okita Soushi) (Kaneyoshi/Fusanaga) 沖田総司 (1844-30.05.1868)
Born as Harumasa Sojirou, Okita was of samurai stock. At the age of nine he joined the Shieikan dojo, with Kondou Isami, master of the Tennen Rishin-ryu. By the age of eighteen he was teaching kenjutsu, a master of the Sandanzuki (‘Three Piece Thrust’; striking the neck, left then right shoulders), and was considered along with Saitou Hajime and Nagakura Shinpachi as the most accomplished swordsmen, if the second youngest (the youngest being Toudou Heisuke) in the Shinsengumi. Allegedly in combat, bearing his katana named Kikuichi-monji, he would begin by uttering “My Kikuichi-monji is thirsty tonight.”
Despite his youth, Okita fell ill some time after the formation of the Shinsengumi (whether before or after the Ikedaya Jiken is unknown), his coughing blood and fainting symptoms of tuberculosis. After the Boshin War, on 30.05.1869 he died of the disease, at a tuberculosis hospital in Edo, aged only 25.

Saitou Hajime 斎藤 一 (01.01.1844-20.09.1915)
A fine swordsman, Saitou was one of the few Shinsengumi members who lived to see the Japan that was created after the fall of the Tokugawa. His early life is part of the realm of mystery; perhaps the son of a roushi from Banshuu Akashi, perhaps an accidental murderer who was forced the flee Edo. This mystery is continued in his time in Kyoto, a quiet, introverted character, who mentioned nothing of his time in the Shinsengumi until his final days. He married the daughter of a daimyou, Takagi Tokio, and although he remained a heavy drinker, he became a policeman after the Meiji Restoration (明治維新; Meiji Ishin), and was even granted special permission to carry a katana. Unlike his former-comrades, Saitou did not die until the age of 71 (then named Fujita Gorou), but he may have lived longer if alcohol had not taken a toll.

Sakai Hyougo
One of the members responsible for luggage and cleanup operations, Sakai was a roushi rom Osaka.

Serizawa Kamo (Mitsumoto) 芹沢鴨 (1826?30?-18/19.09.1863)
Born the youngest child (with two older brothers and a sister) into a wealthy Goshi samurai-ranked family of the village of Serizawa in Mito, he was called Genta, but then took the name Tatsutoshi then Taira no Mitsumoto, and then eventually he took the rather strange name ‘Kamo’, meaning goose (although it may be because of the Kamo Shrine in his home village). Despite the odd name, Serizawa was by all accounts an accomplished swordsman, studying at the local state school, the Kodoukan, earning a license in the Shinto Munen-ryu, under Togazaki Kumatarou, achieving the highest level (Menkyo Kaiden). He also learnt much of the contemporary ad hoc ideology and principles of sonnou joui.
An accomplished swordsman and well-established socially, Serizawa first began his adult life as a Shintou priest, during which time he changed his name to Kimura Keiji, after marrying a daughter of the Kimura family. Provincial life did not keep him away from greater issues though, joining the loyalist Kinnou member Takeda Kouunsai of Mito, before joining in 1860 the xenophobic Tengutou (a.k.a Tamazukurisei), the group responsible for the assassination of Ii Naosuke, although Serizawa took no part in the act itself. Serizawa (although at this stage he was going by the name Kimura Tsuguji or Shitamura Tsuguji) clearly had a disciplinarian (or perhaps sadistic) side too, summarily beheading three members of the Tengutou who in early 1861 had allegedly broken the group’s rules, and then slashing the taiko drum at the Kashima shrine with an iron fan. His action had not been sanctioned by the commanders so he then faced imprisonment. This term was completed within the group, but in the meantime the forces supporting the Tokugawa camp had gained the upper hand over those advocating an imperial government. Quickly the members of the Tengutou were rounded up and imprisoned for the assassination of Ii Naosuke. It was during this time in custody that Serizawa demonstrated his poetic side, on one occasion biting his little finger to write a poem upon a piece of ragged cloth, his jisei no ku (traditionally a poem written before one’s death).
In late 1862 the government began to weaken as the sonnou joui groups regained the ascendancy. At this time the imprisoned members of the Tengutou were released, with pardons oif they were to join the Bakufu forces. On 08.02.1863, Serizawa Kamo (at this stage he resumed the use of this name)along with about 250 others joined the Roushigumi in Edo, before arriving in Kyoto on 23.02.1863. However, once in the village of Honchou it was clear the Kondou Isami had forgotten to organize lodgings for Serizawa’s group. In another outburst of anger, Serizawa gathered piles of wood and started bonfires in protest at Kondou’s forgetfulness. It would not bode well for the future of their relationship. However, the feud between Serizawa and Kondou blew up again. On 03.06.1863 the Aizu clan was commanded to leave Kyoto for Osaka. Serizawa’s group was out drinking heavily, when for reasons unknown Serizawa got into a brawl with a sumo wrestler, and subsequently the other 25 or so wrestlers from the same dojo. Serizawa’s group was virtually unscathed, but around them lay ten dead wrestlers. Later that same month, Serizawa, while drunk again, smashed up a restaurant in Shimahara, and then on 12.08.1863 his group destroyed the Yamatoya silk store with a cannon, when the staff members wouldn’t hand over cash.
However, if not surprisingly, Serizawa’s days were numbered. Hijikata demanded discipline, while Kondou saw Serizawa as a clear threat, both to his ideas of command, and to the group’s value to the Tokugawa cause. On 16 (or 18).09.1863 the members of the Shinsengumi all met at a drinking party, and here it was decided to assassinate Serizawa, although precise details are lacking from known history. On the night of 18/19.09.1863 Serizawa was killed (allegedly either by Okita or Hijikata) at his Yagi residence, alongside his forced-lover (in popular history, one of Serizawa’s many rape victims) Oume (allegedly killed by Okita), alongside Hirayama Gorou (allegedly beheaded by Harada), leaving only Hirama Juusuke (a lowly member who perhaps knew of the plot) and Noguchi Kenji (committed seppuku 27.12.1863) from the Serizawa group left, and he wisely left the capital for Mito, to inform Serizawa’s family of his death. Who actually carried out the killing is unknown, but alternative theories always present Hijikata as the prime mover, but unlikely Kondou would have had direct involvement. Thus lay dead one of the most respected, bravest, most artistically-talented but also most violent, callous, criminal members of the Shinsengumi.


Serizawa's grave in Mibu

Shimada Kai
A dappan from Oogaki, Shimada served as one of the Chouyaku Narabi Kansatsu Gata (lit. spies).

Takeda Kanryuusai Tokuhiro (1834-1867)
Born Fukuda Hiroshi in Izumo, Takeda had originally planned to study medicine but then left for Edo to study the martial strategies of Koushuu Nagamuna. It was in Edo that he became closely acquainted with the Takeda family (hereditary vassals of the Aizu, despite the anti-Bakufu views of Takeda Kouunsai), who adopted him (and hence he became Takeda Kanryuusai).
Takeda appears to have adopted many of the views of the sonnou joui activists, particularly Hirano Kuniomi, and he was arrested. He escaped from Edo though in 1863 and chose to join the Shinsengumi in Kyoto. Why his views changed so dramatically is unknown, but, at the age of 30, he was clearly close to Kondou Isami, joining the Shinsengumi in the winter of 1863/4. Although not particularly skilled with a katana, he used flattery to ingratiate himself with Kondou, much to the distaste of many of the other, more accomplished members, who Takeda was not averse to berating (or sexually harassing (it was alleged Takeda was a homosexual – something officially opposed by the Shinsengumi). He did however appear to serve valiantly during both the Ikedaya jiken and the Akebono Restaurant Incident, and then mediated between Kondou and those who felt he was too despotic. He was then made captain of the 5th unit in 1865, despite the feeling that his Koushuu style was obsolete in the face of the adopted French techniques. Kondou, by 1866, had realized though that the skills of Itou Kashitarou were superior to the sycophantic Takeda. Takeda, his pride hurt, then chose to try and lure Itou into leaving the Shinsengumi to form a new group (which Itou did in 1867), but when this was rejected, Takeda impetuously left the group to form a new organization, aiming to ally with Satsuma to topple the Tokugawa. Despite Hijikata’s rules, Kondou allowed Takeda to leave the Shinsengumi, but set the network of informants to work to find out what Takeda had planned for when (or if) he returned to Izumo.
Takeda had played a risky game though, and lost. Where (and even when) he was killed is still unknown, with two ideas proposed. Firstly there is the theory that he was assassinated as he crossed the Zenitori Bridge in Fushimi (by either Saitou Hajime or Shinohara Tainoshin) on 28.09.1866. A later idea is that he was killed on 22.07.1867, after failing to join Itou’s breakaway group, again either by Saitou or Shinohara (who had joined Itou). The latter date is usually accepted.

Tani Sanjuurou
Another roushi from Osaka, he was the master of Harada Sanosuke.

Toudou Heisuke Nobutora
Like Kondou and Hijikata, Toudou was a dappan from Edo Gyofunai. He was the illegitimate son of Toudou Izuminokami, the chief of Isuzu province.

Yamanami Keisuke (Tomonobu) 山南敬助 (20.03.1833-23.02.1865)
Popularly seen in the great volume of Shinsengumi-inspired literature as a gentle, even erudite character, Yamanami was a Sendai dappan and one of the founding members, and deputy commanders, of the Shinsengumi. He was a recognized Menkyo Kaiden master in the Hokushin Ittoryu (North Star Style) of swordsmanship, at the Gebunkan dojo of Chiba Shuusaku, but he then left this school to join the Shiekan dojo of Kondou Isami.
However it would appear that Yamanami was not content within the rules and objectives of the Shinsengumi, and despite realizing failure would mean his death, he attempted to escape; he failed. He may have been found out by Okita Souji, but Souji certainly acted as his second in his seppuku.

Tamazaki SusumuA roushi from Osaka, Tamazaki was a skilled staff-fighter, having trained in the Kadoriryu.



The Rules of the Shinsengumi

Although it is popularly believed that Serizawa Kamo and/or Kondou Isami wrote the roles of the Shinsengumi, but it is more likely that the disciplinarian Hijikata Toshizou was the driving force behind the regulations. They certainly wouldn’t fit with the relaxed off-duty style of Kondou or the arrogant unruliness of Serizawa.

The first five rules were simple prohibitions, and like most offences related to samurai behaviour, were punishable with seppuku;
1. Dai ichijou: Shidou ni somuki majiki koto (No deviation from the proper path (i.e., the Code of Bushido).
2. Dai nijou: Kyoku wo dassuru koto-o yurusazu (No leaving of the Shinsengumi).
3. Dai Sanjyou: Katte ni kinsaku itasubekarazu (No private financial transactions or earning).
4. Dai shijou: Katte ni soshou toriatsukaubekarazu (No taking part in litigation).
5. Dai gojou: watakushi no tousou o yurusazu (No private feuds or fighting).

In addition, there were two additional rules;
1. Kumigashira ga moshi toushi shita baaiwa, kumishuu wa sono ba de toushi subeshi (If a leader was mortally wounded, all members of the Shinsengumi must join him in death, whether through combat or seppuku).
2. Hageshiki kokou ni oite shishou zokushutsusutomo kumigashira no shitai no hoka wa hikishirizoku koto makarinarazu (Even in a fight where there has been a large loss of life, only the body of a leader can be later retrieved).

What Hijikata created was a corps of warriors feared by rivals and the general populace of Kyoto, but also a membership that obeyed absolutely the commands of Kondou and Hijikata. The sanctioned killing of rivals was commonplace, men of non-samurai stock were recruited, and failure to follow the rules meant dishonour and seppuku; loyalty had to be absolute, and failure made unendurable. The murder of Serizawa Kamo and the forced seppuku of Niimi Nishiki show clearly the fact that discipline and loyalty to the Tokugawa was non-negotiable.


Fractures in the Shinsengumi

Not just in role, but also in terms of personnel and leadership, the group was changing dramatically. Firstly on 10.09.1863 Niimi Nishiki was captured and forced to commit seppuku, no doubt as part of a Kondou and Yamanami plan to remove the Serizawa group (although it is also said that it may have been the result of a feud with a Mito samurai). In the famed Gion district of Kyoto, Niimi was taken at the Yamano-o store, and summarily charged with breaching the 1st and 3rd articles of the Shinsengumi rules (being renowned for extracting money with violence to fuel his ‘interests’ with the city’s courtesans). Alone, without his fellow-Mito colleague (i.e. Serizawa), seppuku was the only course he could take.
On 16/18.09.1863 the members of the Shinsengumi all met at a drinking party, and here it was decided to assassinate the troublesome (and once again, drunk) Serizawa, although precise details are lacking from known history, and it is unclear whether the Kyoto Shugoshoku Matsudaira Katamori was involved. As Serizawa was carried back to the house of Yagi Genojoh in Mibu by Hirayama Gorou and Hirama Juusuke, and their respective mistresses; Oume from Hishiya, Kichiei (or Koei) from Kikyouya and Itosato from Wachigaiya. The plot was launched and Serizawa was killed by Saitou Hajime and Hijikata Toshizou (probably), along side Oume, and then Hirayama Gorou, leaving only Hirama Juusuke, and he wisely left the capital for Mito, to inform Serizawa’s family of his death, and Noguchi Kenji from the Serizawa group left (Kenji was not forced to commit seppuku, but then did so on 27/28.12.1863 for reasons unknown). Who actually carried out the killing is unknown, but alternative theories always present the disciplinarian Hijikata as the prime mover, but it’s unlikely Kondou would have had direct involvement. Even the names of members who attacked the residence are controversial, and even the number involved, although all sources names Hijikata and Okita, and then two from Yamanami, Harada, Inoue and Toudou. Perhaps Kondou was preempting the Aizu clan, who he feared would crush the Shinsengumi to prevent Serizawa taking control and turning it into an anti-Bakufu force, or did Aizu and Kondou fear Serizawa joining the sonnou joui forces of Mito, Choushuu and Tosa? Certainly Kondou was not overly sympathetic to Serizawa’s bloody death. On the next day he wrote in correspondence that Serizawa had fallen in a fight with thieves, and the funeral on 20.09.1863 went without any signs of a successful conspiracy having been committed (other than the corpses). The killing of Serizawa certainly left the Shinsengumi solely in the hands of the group supporting Kondou, and the group would remain that way until its death.

[caocao74]

The Ikedaya Jiken 池田屋事件 (Ikeda Inn Affair)

By mid-1864 the Aizu-han (会津藩) were still the dominant force within the capital, with Matsudaira Higo no Kami Katamori (松平容保) responsible for the city’s security. The pro-Imperial forces in July 1864 decided to put the Aizu under pressure, planning to set light to many of the wooden streets of the city, hoping to cause enough chaos to grab power and the imperial seat. They had estimated with the Shinsengumi though. Thev Shinsengumi had a number of spies across the city, and it was soon discovered what was planned. Before the Choushuu troops had struck their first blow, the Shinsengumi attacked, slaughtering the plotters with only the loss of one member.
It was a great boost to morale for the Shinsengumi, and saw their prestige rise (if only caused by fear) in the capital, whose population saw their property and safety before any largely abstract concepts of governance. The success was tarnished though by the discovery that the nineteen year old Okita Souji was coughing up blood, slowly dying as tuberculosis took effect.
After the Ikedaya Jiken, Kondou Isami remained as the sole commander, with Hijikata Toshizou his deputy/executive officer. Beneath this group were the advisor Kastihtarou Itou and the nine troop captains (Okita Souji, Nagakura Shinpachi, Saitou Hajime, Matsubara Chuuji, Takeda Kanryuusai, Inoue Genzaburou, Tani Sanjuurou, Toudou Heisuke, Suzuki Mikisaburou and Harada Sanosuke), with each tai (unit) composed of two corporals and ten men. The new hierarchy was thus formed;

Souchou (Commander)
-Kondou Isami Masanobu (Masayoshi)
Fukuchou (Executive Officers)
-Hijikata Toshizou Yoshitoyo
Sanbou (Military Advisor)
-Itou Kashitarou Takeaki
Kumichou (Captain);
-Ichibantai (1st Unit)-Okita Souji Kaneyoshi; -Nibantai (2nd Unit)-Nagakura Shinpachi Noriyuki; -Sanbantai (3rd Unit)-Saitou Hajime; -Yonbantai (4th Unit)-Matsubara Chuuji (Tadaji); -Gobantai (5th Unit)-Takeda Kanryuusai; -Rokubantai (6th Unit)-Inoue Genzaburou Kazushige; -Shichibantai (7th Unit)-Tani Sanjuurou; -Hachibantai (8th Unit)-Toudou Heisuke Nobutora; -Kyuubantai (9th Unit)-Suzuki Mikisaburou; -Juubantai (10th Unit)-Harada Sanosuke
Gochou (Corporal)
-Shimada Kai, Kawashima Shouji, Hayashi Nobutarou, Okuzawa Eisuke, Maeno Gorou, Abe Juurou, Kayama Takehachirou, Itou Tetsugorou, Kondou Yoshitaku, Kumebe Masachika, Kanou Washio, Nakanishi Nobori, Ohara Kouzou, Tomiyama Yabee, Nakamura Kosaburou, Ikeda Kotarou, Hashimoto Kaisuke, Ibaragi Tsukasa and two others.
Roushi Torishimari Yaku Narabi Kansatsu Gata (Internal Affairs and Observation)
-Shinohara Tainoshin, Yamazaki Susumu, Arai Tadao, Ashiya Nobori, Yoshimura Kanichirou and Ogata Shuntarou
Kanjou Gakari (Cleanup Operations)
-Kawai Kisaburou

From the membership were also drawn various teachers;
Kenjutsu Shihan Gashira (Kenjutsu teachers)
-Okita Souji, Ikeda Kotarou, Nagakura Shinpachi, Tanaka Torazou, Arai Tadao, Yoshimura Kanichirou, Saitou Hajime and Hattori Takeo
Juujitsu Shihan Gashira (Juujitsu teachers)
-Shinohara Tainoshin, Matsubara Tadaji and Shinoda Satarou
Bungaku Shihan Gashira (Literature and Culture teachers)
-Itou Kashitarou, Ogata Shuntarou, Mounai Yuunosuke, Takeda Kanryuusai and Tanba Yuuzou
Houjutsu Shihan Gashira (Artillery teachers)
-Kiyohara Kiyoshi and Abe Juurou
Bajutsu Shihan Gashira (Equestrianism teachers)
-Yasutomi Saisuke
Soujutsu Shihan Gashira (Spearfighting teacher)
-Tani Sanjuurou

All was not well however. Yamanami Keisuke for some time had been a student and friend of Kondou Isami’s, having trained at the Shieikan dojo. Despite the closeness of the relationship, Yamanami fled the Shinsengumi for reasons unknown. Despite the act knowingly being a breach of Article 2 of the rules of the group, Yamanami told Kondou where he was going. Kondou could not be seen to show leniency to any so sent Okita Souji after the fugitive. Yanamani instead called on Okita, with Okita placing friendship above orders and offered Yamanami a chance to escape. He refused and accepted that he would have to return to Mibu, and commit seppuku. This was unfortunately for the Shinsengumi an isolated crisis. Miura Keinosuke and the Tani brothers (Mantarou, Sanjuurou and Kondou Shuuhei) were constantly causing feuds within the ranks, attempted-runaways were almost endless, Kawai Kisaburou and Tauchi Tomo were executed (respectively for financial irregularities and the wounding of his lover’s other lover), and Saitou Hajime killed Takeda Kanryuusai (as well as Tani Sanjuurou) for attempting to flee. To the monks of the Nishi-Honganji who had to tolerate the groups residence in their temple, the tribulations must have come as some perverse justice. These crises are undoubtedly overshadowed by the departure of Itou Kashitarou from the group on 10.03.1867.


End of the Shinsengumi

After the Ikedaya Jiken, the Shinsengumi had risen in the esteem and new members arrived (Ichimura Tetsunosuke and Tatsunosuke), but that did little to stem the tide of anti-Bakufu sentiments and activities in and around Kyoto. On 08.08.1864 Takeda Kanryuusai, having overheard two Satsuma men planning activities in the Akebono teahouse, with six fellow Shinsengumi members, attacked and killed one of the Satsuma men. Various efforts were made to staunch the flow of authority out, most significantly the murder of Sakamoto Ryoma, the figure who had done the virtually impossible and had brought Satsuma and Choushuu together. At the Oumiya on 15.11.1867, Shinsengumi members are believed to have killed Sakamoto Ryouma (坂本龍馬), the Tosa sonnou joui reformist who had formulated the unlikely alliance between Choushuu and Satsuma. These were clashes the Shinsengumi were emerging from but overall it was a battle the Shinsengumi, and the Tokugawa as a whole, were losing. Their involvement is still unknown for certain, but the gossip that spread through the city after Sakamoto’s murder brought the Shinsengumi fear they could have done without (and two years later Sasaki Tadasaburou of the Kyoto Mimawarigumi admitted to the killing). The Tosa samurai felt that behind the plot was Miura Yasutarou and so struck against him on 07.12.1867 as he was at the Tenmaya, but their counter-plot failed to exact their desired revenge as he was guarded by Hijikata, Saitou, Harada, Yoshimura, Kishima and Souma.
On 10.03.1867 Itou Kashitarou had been permitted to leave the Shinsengumi to form the Kodaiji (a.k.a. Goryoueji). With were Hattori Takeo, Abe Juurou, Tomiyama Yabee, Nakanishi Nobori, Suzuki Mikisaburou, Arai Tadao, Kanou Michinosuke, Hashimoto Kaisuke, Nakaumi Jirou, Shinohara Tainoshin, Toudou Heisuke, Kiyohara Kiyoshi, Mounai Kanmotsu and Saitou Hajime. Saitou had become a drinking-friend of Itou but his involvement in Itou’s breakaway was part of a ploy by Kondou to keep a check on the Itou group. All too late the Itou group discovered that Saitou was Kondou’s spy in their ranks, and on 18.11.1867 the Shinsengumi struck, killing Itou Kashitarou, Hattori Takeo and Toudou Heisuke in the so-called Aburanokoji no Kettou (‘Fight to Death at the Aburanokoji’). One of Itou’s mistresses (along with the wives of Shinohara and Arai) fled to the Satsuma-han residence, while his Gion mistress Tsuji Masa sought sanctuary in the Gesshin temple. The other members of the Itou group remained hidden, until 18.12.1867 when they attacked the Shinsengumi, Okita Souji lucky to escape with his life, and Kondou wounded by a bullet to the shoulder.
The breakaways continued though and in early 1868 Nagakura Shinpachi and Harada Sanosuke then left the Shinsengumi to form the Seiheitai (although Harada then left the Seiheitai to form the Shougitai), but more importantly since 11.1867 the Bakufu had waited for the newly-aligned clans of Satsuma and Choushuu (the Sacchou Doumei) to strike their blow in the name of Emperor Mutsuhito (Meiji). In fell on 03.01.1868 when they stormed the Imperial Palace and the Emperor declared the Restoration (明治維新, Meiji Ishin). Simultaneously the first shots were fired of the Battle of Toba-Fushimi on the southern outskirts of Kyoto. Despite superior numbers, the Bakufu forces were mauled, the casualties including thirty of the Shinsengumi (including inoue Genzaburou Kazushige and Yamazaki Susumu). The remnants fled Edo, and on 01.04.1868, the remaining 44-Shinsengumi moved their headquarters to Nagareyama, but the Shinsengumi would struggle on for only a few more weeks, in its then form. Again the group needed to be restructured;

Taichou (Commander)
-Kondou Isami Masanobu (Masayoshi)
Fukuchou (Executive Officer)
-Hijikata Toshizou Yoshitoyo
Fukuchou Jokin (Captain and Vice-Commander’s Aides)
-Okita Souji Kaneyoshi, Nagakura Shinpachi Noriyuki, Harada Sanosuke, Ogata Shuntarou and Saitou Hajime.
Roushi Chouyaku (Investigations Division)
-Ooishi Kuwajirou and Kawamura Hayato.
Kaikeigata (Accounting Division)
-Kishijima Yutarou, Yauchi Kennosuke, Nakamura Gendou, Ootani Isao, Yasutomi Saisuke and Kanzaki Kazujizou.
Gochou (Corporal)
-Shimada Kai, Hayashi Nobutarou, Kohara Kouzou, Kondou Gizuke, Shimura Takezou, Kumebe Masachika, Ozeki Seiichirou, Maeno Gorou and Nakamura Kosaburou.

However by March half of the membership had seen the futility in their cause and deserted, more so after the defeat at Katsunuma near Koufu castle. On 03.04 the Meiji Ishin Army surrounded the Kouyou Chinbutai (which the rump Shinsengumi was renamed on 28.02) and arrested Kondou, leaving Hijikata Toshizou to join Ootori Keisuke in leading the last Bakufu army. Defeat followed at Utsunomiya and the remnant fled northward to Aizu, where Saitou Hajime was made temporary leader. He was made leader on 06.04 when Hijikata’s wounds meant he was unable to carry on. Effectively on the run from the Imperial Army, with its numbers dwindling, on 25.04 its founder Kondou Isami was captured at the Nagareyama and executed as a criminal at Itabashi.
The battles and losses continued; the last stand of Harada Sanosuke and the Shougitai at Ueno Hil in Edo on 17.05, the Battle of Bonari Pass in Aizu (21.08), and the Battle of Nyoraido (Buddha Hall) in Aizu (05.09).


The Battle of Ueno

But with Edo surrendered by Tokugawa Yoshinobu (徳川慶喜), the last Shogun handed real power back to the Emperor (the Taisei Houkan, 14.10.1868, allow him to assume political power on 09.12.1868, the Ousei Fukko) the Imperial forces had emerged victorious.
After Nyoraido, Okita Souji was confined to his deathbed in Edo (where he died from TB aged 25 on 30.05), while Saitou Hajime, Ikeda Shichizaburou, Kumebe Masachika, Yoshida Toratarou, Kawai Tetsugorou and Shimura Takezou escaped, and had allegedly joined the forces of Sagawa Kanbei. In the meantime, Hijikata Toshizou and the last of the Shinsengumi continued northwards, reaching Hokkaido on 20.09, establishing a headquarters at Goryoukaku, combining with forces of Ootori Keisuke. A little over two weeks later, Tsuruga-jou (Crane Castle) in Aizu-Wakamatsu surrendered, leaving the sole effective source of resistance being the Republic of Ezo established on Hokkaido by Admiral Enomoto Takeaki (榎本武揚), declared on 25.12.1868. Winter allowed the Republic to survive, but Imperial forces were then dispatched in 04.1869. Hijikata withdrew to Hakodate where he was killed on 11.05, while the few remaining members were killed at the Tsuruga castle in Aizu-Wakamatsu; the Shinsengumi ceased to exist outside of popular mystique. Enomoto surrendered the so-called Republic of Ezo to the Emperor only days later. Rebellions would sporadically erupt (the Saga Rebellion of 1874, and the Satsuma Rebellion (Seinan Sensou 西南戦争) of 1876-77) but the Bakufu was dead and the Shinsengumi had passed into legend, the few remaining survivors left to their own accord within the new system.

Sources

http://aiaizu.com/i/...sengumi/i4.html
http://www.shinsengumihq.com/facts.htm
http://www.geocities...kanryuusai.html
http://liedenschaft.....jp/takeda.html
http://www.bauken.to/b09/fusimi4.htm
http://www.geocities...nd/9552/a2.html
http://www.1to5.net/...ily/family.html
http://hajime3.hp.in...p/fujitake.html
http://www.toshizo.com
http://victorian.for...rd/130/bio.html

-Akama Shizuko, Shinsengumi onna hitoritabi (Onna hitoritabi shirizu) (Taka Shobo, Tokyo), 1990
-Aoki Michiko Y. & Dardess, Margaret B., The Popularization of Samurai Values: A Sermon by Hosoi Heishu, in Monumenta Nipponica Vol.31 (winter 1976), pp.393-413.
-Hillsborough, Romulus, Shinsengumi: The Shogun’s Last Samurai Corps (Tuttle, London), 2005.
-Hurst, Cameron G., Armed Martial Arts of Japan: Swordsmanship and Archery (Yale Univ. Press, New Haven) 1998.
-Imagawa Tokuzo, Kondo Isami to Shinsengumi: Zoku Bakumatsu o kakenuketa otokotachi (Kyoiku Shoseki, Tokyo), 1989
-Takashi Takagi, Shinsengumi Yonbushi (Shin Jinbutsu Oraisha), 1989