The History of the Shinsengumi
Last updated: Sept. 4th, 2002. -> view old report here.


The Introduction

The Shinsengumi was developed during the threat of the upcoming Bakumatsu. The Shinsengumi, which was basically a group of several men then, dedicated their lives to the shogunate and defended the ways of the Samurai (since many samurais were becoming ronins or rurounis ^_~). They protected the streets of Kyoto and defended the capital from all evils (which basically was the Ishin Shishi... the group that wanted to bring power back to the emperor). 

Despite what is known about the Shinsengumi, this militia for its short running time, has became one of the most powerful miltias in Japanese history... for what reasons, not many is clear on (this will be explained in more detail later). What we do know is that the Shinsengumi was basically a short-lived (but powerful) law enforcer throughout the capital of Imperial Japan. What puzzles me, is that if the Shinsengumi has all these decorations and is still honored by many in Japan... why are they just a blur or not mentioned at all in history books? That's something that I have to get on myself (especially since the books I find on Japanese military history is all about WWII).

The Beginning

As I mentioned before, the Shinsengumi was just a small group of men who got together to form a sort of law enforcement for the streets of Kyoto. But as the word grew, it wasn't easy for others to join, usually they would have to take a test (basically duels with other candidates in front of the head commanders of the militias) and whoever was good was the one who got in. 
 Before a Tokyo, there was the city of Edo... which basically was Tokyo-to (Tokyo) of Imperial Japan (or the Tokugawa Bafuku).... Since word got around that there was a coup happening in Kyoto, many men fled to Kyoto to either fight for the shogunate or for the emperor, those who fought for the shogunate (or the some) joined the growing Shinsengumi. By the height of the Bakumatsu, there was over 300 members.
    The Shinsengumi had learned distinct styles of swordsmanship (and wasn't disorganization so that one guy over here fought with Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu and another guy fought with Kamiya-Kasshin Ryu (examples, people)) that was the base style of fighting for the majority, who were in fact, disciples of Tennen Rishin Ryu. Other members did have their style, but the main one that they all used was the Tennen Rishin Ryu. 

The Shinsengumi Into Action - Traitors and Hardships

    With steady amount of numbers, the Shinsengumi began to patrol the streets like... police officers (believe it, or not). They basically had two shifts, night and day. Mostly, the night shift was more active due to the Ishin Shishi and other parties plotting attacks at night. But, there was that one issue that always hit the Shinsengumi hard... traitors.
    There were many traitors/idiots (people who basically abuse their power) in the Shinsengumi, but not like the one of the most common ones, Kiyokawa Hachirou. Now, this guy was the big cheese of the newbies that joined after passing the exams needed to enter the Shinsengumi (like I said, they needed the best, not the wimps). This guy was, or from sources, pro Tokugawa (or Bafuku), this guy was hardcore when it came to it. It seemed as if you couldn't change this guy's mind, he was so much into the ideals of the Bafuku. But here was the catch, Kiyokawa was not pro-Bafuku, he was pro-Ishin Shishi... basically some spy if you want to put it that way (but I can't confirm that he was a spy, no information was on it). He wanted to gather a bunch of ronins in the name of the Bafuku, all for the Bafuku... but in reality, he was training these guys for the Ishin Shishi. How he did this was planned beautifully (I love guys who have great military strategies in manipulating people... but I don't like their ideals though), he managed to trick the Shinsengumi into believing... believing that he was all for Bafuku.... But like the rest, he fell. The way he was doing this was setting fire gaijin (other than Japanese, foreigners) settlements, killing them, and all other sorts of evil/sick ways to set a bad image and name to the Tokugawa Bafuku.... but before any of this could happen... something was leaked and on April 13 (no sources on the exact year), Kiyokawa Hachirou was assassinated by a Shinsengumi member. After that, the Shinsengumi still continued to fight for the shogunate, with 13 members as the starting crew.
    As the Shinsengumi continued to grow, another Shinsengumi member decided to give his power a test. Serizawa Kamio, a Joint Captain, was not the most " ideal " Shinsengumi out there, but since he was there from the beginning he was Joint Captain (i must read up on that, not for sure). Now, Serizawa wasn't the average Shinsengumi, for his weapon he carried around an iron fan (this is from a source, I'm thinking what Kitana from Mortal Kombat and was Mai from Fatal Fury use as weapons) and frequent fights that somehow he was involved in, but for these things he was very famous. As time went by, Serizawa got bossier, more " careless " about his duties, and he severely abused his power. He would get drunk and use the title " Captain of the Shinsengumi " to get what he wanted and when he wanted... even though he wasn't the " Captain " of the whole Shinsengumi (Remember, he is a Joint Captain).... For is attitude and carelessness, he caused the Shinsengumi to receive the name of Mibu Wolf, since (or from what I'm getting) Serizawa was Captain of the first troupe to gather at a village called Mibu... which was the most criticized troupe in Kyoto. 
    Serizawa finally pushed it when he summoned a prostitute (back then, the prostitutes were woman who dressed up as Geisha, but were very dirty and unrefined) to each hotel that the Shinsengumi stayed at, and got Kondou (joint captain) and Hijikata (vice captain) angry.
    As if Serizawa couldn't get in enough trouble, Nimi Nishigi added to the chaos (another Joint Captain). As the troupe was heading of to Kyoto (Remember, they were at Mibu), a fire broke out at an inn that the troupe was staying at. Kondou had took all the blame for the negligence of the troupe and on top of that, he was mocked by Serizawa and Nimi (my god, this sounds like a elementary school drama ^^;;). But a few weeks later, the truth came out when Hijikata and the other members decided to do an investigation. From what sources say, Serizawa and Nimi demanded for some luxurious services from a certain shop dealer, who declined them stating that their demands were to ridiculous. Like the little kids they were, Serizawa and Nimi were angered and fired a cannon... yes a cannon... that traveled with the troupe (which was kept in the inn's store at the shop). The two ran somewhere after firing, and the whole inn went into flames.
    With only enough evidence to convict Nimi, Hijikata ordered that Nimi commit seppuku (suicide... you know, stick the katana through your stomach... die honorably... or was it something else....). After that, the tension between Kondou and Serizawa intensified; Serizawa and the other corrupt members of the Shinsengumi were assassinated by a nameless hitokiri (assassin) group on September 9th, 1863 (which, that hitokiri group were members of the Shinsengumi).

    The only way that the Shinsengumi could be clean and cleared from the terrible standing that they were on, the entrance exams were much more difficult. Also, the Shinsengumi were to live by the ways of the Samurai, since that's who they thought of themselves to be... masterless Samurais fighting for their Tokugawa Bafuku. If one Shinsengumi decided to break the rule (or was convicted), Never Stain the Way of the Samurai, they were automatically decapitated or they had to commit seppuku.

The Protectors of the Shogunate - They Way They Handled the Law

    Like I said before, the Shinsengumi were basically police officers, protecting the Tokugawa Bafuku and people of Kyoto from the Ishin Shishi or another other rebellion group. Especially since, as the Bakumatsu reached its height, the Ishin-Shishi were all over the streets of Kyoto plotting ways to over throw the Tokugawa Bafuku.
   The one thing that many didn't agree with the Shinsengumi was their fighting style and how they protected the streets of Kyoto. The majority of the Shinsengumi were very precautious about who roamed the streets, especially if you were one who carried a sword. Usually, if you seemed suspicious in their eyes, you would have to prove that you weren't apart of the Ishin-Shishi, failing to do that would probably mean instant death (especially with Hajikata).... Aku Soku Zan, anyone?
    The way they attacked enemies was usually, many Shinsengumi against one. Hajikata, for example, was really was cold and merciless against those who he found suspicious. The " Many Against One or the Few " was a very popular with the Shinsengumi, especially when the sized increased.
    
    Look at it like this:

    If a group of Inshin-Shishi were fighting against a group of Shinsengumi, and they manage to knock them out, then another layer will come, and another and another until they are knocked out or destroyed.

    It may seem inhuman, but to the Shinsengumi, anything to protect the Tokugawa Bafuku. 

The Commanding Structure of the Shinsengumi

Like all militaries and militias, there is always commanding officers.

Pre-Shinsengumi

Joint Captains:
Serizawa Kamo
Kondou Isami
Nimi Nishigi

Vice Captains:
Hijikata Toshizo
Yamanami Keisuke

Shinsengumi

Captain:
Kondou Isami

Vice Captain:
Hijikata Toshizo

Military Advisor:
Itou Kashitarou 

Captains of the Troops/Patrol/Battle Teams

1st: Okita Souji (some sources say Okita Soujirou)
2nd: Nagakura Shinpachi (instructor of kenjutsu)
3rd: Saitou Hajime
4th: Matsubara Tadaji (instructor of jujitsu)
5th: Takeda Kanryuusai (instructor of military stragies)
6th: Inou Genzaburou
7th: Tani Sanjyuurou (instructor of spearing skills)
8th: Toudou Heisuke
9th: Suzuki Mikisaburou
10th: Harada Sanosuke

Other Head Positions:

Head of the Sentries/Spies: Yamazaki Susumu (also spied on the conduct of fellow members)

Head Positions, Unknown Roles:
Yamanami Keisuke
Shimada Kai

Post-Shinsengumi/Koyochinbutai

Captain: Hijikata Toshizo

Due to the fall of the Shinsengumi, there was no information nor troops set during the Post Shinsengumi time. More information is explained in the next section.

End of the Bakumatsu - The End of the Shinsengumi, The birth of the Koyochinbutai

    As the bloodshed continued throughout Bakumatsu, it seemed as if the there was no hope for the Tokugawa Bafuku. On top of that, the Shinsengumi was falling apart, the strongest militia in Japan was becoming nothing more than a struggling group of ronins. As the fight continued into the Boshin war, the Shinsengumi changed their name to the Koyochinbutai and continued to fight for the shougun. The Captain of the Shinsengumi (or Koyochinbutai), Kondou Isami, was caught and executed by the Meiji Government. As that wasn't enough, the Koyochinbutai had to rely on Western weapons to fight the battles (commanded by Hijikata Toshizo) so they can have some type of chance. But the battles were getting tougher, and close and closer to Edo and the fights got out of control when the Edo fell and the government forces took the fight to Aizu. 
    The Koyochinbutai lost that fight, but some continued to fight, despite their weakened state. Finally, the swords were dropped and the Tokugawa Bafuku fell. The Meiji Restoration began, and the Koyochinbutai had to adjust to the new Japan... the Japan of rebirth without the samurais and the swords.

Their Lasting Image

    Even though the Shinsengumi were neglected in the history books, they set a mark in time that taught even if your ideals and everything around is crumbling, you can continue to stand and fight until you have no will left, and even with no will, continue to fight until your breath of life is on the very stake. They were the losing team, they didn't come out victorious, but if you look pass that, they were winners. Surviving a time that someone can come and just kill you in your sleep, a time that foreigners were changing the ideals of what you grew to believe in, a time that unlocked the gates to a world that was beyond your wildest imagination.  They stuck to what they believed in and no one could ever stop them, they fought until the last man fell, and for that, I raise my glass to them. 
    Maybe, just maybe, history will begin to recognize these fighters... no... Men of honor.

Key to Unknown/Confusing Japanese Terms:

Bakumatsu - The turbulent time in Japan which two political parties (Ishin-Shishi and Shinsengumi) were fighting each for restoration of power to the Meiji Emperor or protection of the Tokugawa Shogunate

Tokugawa Bafuku - Tokugawa Military Regiment

Aku Soku Zan - Kill Evil Immediately

Meiji Restoration - " Enlightened " Restoration. Meiji, being the name of the young 15 year old emperor, was the key symbol for the civil war... though when he received his power, he didn't do anything. He was basically a figurehead. 

Rurouni - A made up term by Watsuki himself actually ^_^

Ronin - Masterless Samurai

Geisha - A woman who is basically a hostess to Japanese men. She is very proper and dose whatever then men ask her to do, for the exception that she is not a prostitute and are forbidden to have sex or have any sexual/romantic relationship. Geisha women are supposed to be virgins, but times have changed unfortunately.


note: I thank you all who read all of this. I would like to state something about this report that I've done.... I've basically put my full effort into researching something that was extremely hard to find information on. If you want to use some of the information on a report, I grant you the permission to use this piece for research, please, and I mean please, don't claim this as your own (copy and paste to Microsoft word... or another writing programs, print it up and hand it into the teacher claiming it as your own effort). Even you need this for a site, please don't claim this as your own and copy and paste. I will find out... I will find out... and if you do... that's plagiarism... and I don't like that. Remember... Aku Soku Zan.

Ladymercury