Japan is renowned as an anime powerhouse, offering a diverse array of themes and genres. Among these, historical stories are a particularly beloved category. One recurring setting is the Bakumatsu period, the final years of the Edo shogunate, a time of immense turmoil leading to the birth of modern Japan. A prominent feature of anime and manga set during this era is the Shinsengumi. Characters inspired by the Shinsengumi appear in popular titles like "Gintama" and "Rurouni Kenshin." Known as the "Last Samurai," they endured a turbulent political landscape and fought valiantly. Here’s a simplified introduction to their fascinating story.
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Who Were the Shinsengumi? The Tale of Youth in the Tumultuous Bakumatsu Period
The Birth of the Shinsengumi During the Chaos of the Bakumatsu Period
The era known as the Bakumatsu began in 1853 (Kaei 6) with the arrival of the "Black Ships"—American vessels led by Commodore Perry demanding Japan to open its borders after centuries of isolation.
This sparked a surge of loyalty toward the emperor and anti-foreign sentiment, known as the Sonnō Jōi ("Revere the Emperor, Expel the Barbarians") movement, which gained momentum in Kyoto. The movement led to a series of assassinations of shogunate officials who were perceived as favoring open trade with foreign nations, plunging Kyoto into chaos.
To restore order, a group was formed that later became the Shinsengumi. Initially, they were recruited under the name "Rōshigumi" (a group of masterless samurai) to escort the 14th Shogun, Tokugawa Iemochi, from Edo (modern-day Tokyo) to Kyoto.
The Formation and Role of the Shinsengumi
Key figures like Kondō Isami and Hijikata Toshizō, members of the Tennen Rishin-ryū swordsmanship school, answered the call to join the Rōshigumi. Tennen Rishin-ryū was a lesser-known school based in the Tama region of western Tokyo, often ridiculed as a "country bumpkin style." Alongside them, approximately 300 individuals, including monks, gangsters, and townsfolk with notable combat skills, gathered in Edo.
However, upon reaching Kyoto, the group split due to ideological differences. The leader of the Rōshigumi harbored Sonnō Jōi beliefs, which clashed with others in the group. Kondō, Hijikata, and their faction stayed in Kyoto, coming under the protection of the Aizu Domain, whose daimyo was tasked with safeguarding Kyoto.
They established their base in Mibu Village and were called the "Miburo" (Wolves of Mibu) by locals, who both feared and respected them.
In 1863 (Bunkyū 3), they took part in the "August 18 Coup," a military operation that expelled Sonnō Jōi loyalists from Kyoto. Their success earned them the name Shinsengumi, bestowed by the Imperial Court. Despite their military achievements, their primary duty remained patrolling Kyoto to maintain public order—a role similar to that of a modern-day police force.
Connection to Samurai Culture
The Shinsengumi became widely recognized through their involvement in the "Ikedaya Incident" of 1864 (Genji 1). This was a pivotal event where they thwarted a terrifying plot by the Sonnō Jōi faction to set Kyoto ablaze. That same year, they participated in the "Kinmon Incident," where the Chōshū Domain (modern-day Yamaguchi Prefecture), part of the Sonnō Jōi faction, launched an armed rebellion. Their successes earned them recognition, and in 1867 (Keiō 3), they became retainers of the Tokugawa shogunate, officially attaining samurai status.
Since the founding of the Mibu Rōshigumi, one of their strictest rules was to never act against the principles of bushidō, the samurai code. Violating this rule often resulted in seppuku (ritual suicide). This act required great courage and was regarded as an honorable death for samurai.
The Edo period was an era of prolonged peace, during which many samurai lost their martial spirit and abandoned their loyalty to the Tokugawa shogunate. In contrast, the Shinsengumi embraced and upheld samurai ideals, fighting with unwavering loyalty until the shogunate's final stand in the Boshin War. Their actions epitomized the essence of traditional samurai culture.
Key Members of the Shinsengumi
Kondō Isami: The Soul of the Shinsengumi
Kondō Isami, the commander of the Shinsengumi, was born in 1834 (Tenpō 5) in what is now Chōfu City, Tokyo. He came from a wealthy farming family, whose father emphasized martial arts and academics. Kondō and his older brother studied the Tennen Rishin-ryū style of swordsmanship, and his exceptional skills led to him being adopted by the school and becoming its fourth-generation master.
Kondō’s fighting style was characterized by indomitable spirit. During the Ikedaya Incident, he fought for two hours against more than 20 opponents, emerging unscathed while the other four Shinsengumi members who stormed the building sustained injuries. Unfortunately, he was executed by decapitation after the Shinsengumi's defeat in the Boshin War.
Hijikata Toshizō: The "Demon Vice-Commander"
Hijikata Toshizō, like Kondō, was born into a wealthy farming family. Known for his strikingly handsome features, he was said to be very popular with women. Even today, photographs of him reveal his timeless good looks.
However, Hijikata earned his nickname as the "Demon Vice-Commander" due to his uncompromising enforcement of discipline. He was strict, even ordering high-ranking members to commit seppuku when they broke regulations. This discipline forged the Shinsengumi into a formidable samurai group. Hijikata died in battle during the Boshin War after being struck by enemy fire.
Okita Sōji: The Genius Swordsman
Okita Sōji, renowned as the Shinsengumi’s best swordsman, was the eldest son of a samurai family from the Shirakawa Domain (modern-day Shirakawa City, Fukushima Prefecture). He became a live-in apprentice at the Tennen Rishin-ryū dojo, where he developed exceptional swordsmanship. His signature technique, the "three-step thrust," was so fast it was said to be impossible to see.
As the captain of the Shinsengumi’s First Unit, Okita played a vital role in their operations. Tragically, he died young in 1868 (Keiō 4) from tuberculosis. His youth and pale complexion often inspire depictions of him as a delicate, handsome character in anime and manga.
Saitō Hajime: The One-Strike Killer
Saitō Hajime, born to a family of hatamoto (direct retainers of the Tokugawa shogunate), was reputedly an even greater swordsman than Okita. He served as the captain of the Shinsengumi’s Third Unit and was also an instructor in swordsmanship.
Saitō frequently undertook covert missions, such as assassinating spies or traitors. His precision was legendary, with many accounts of him defeating opponents in a single strike. After the Meiji Restoration, he joined the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department and fought in the Seinan War of 1877, Japan's last civil conflict. Saitō lived a long life, passing away in 1915 (Taishō 4).
Shinsengumi and Modern Culture
Why the Shinsengumi Are Remembered Today
Although the Shinsengumi were on the losing side of the Boshin War, supporting the Tokugawa shogunate, and were branded as enemies of the state, they were later reevaluated. Initially dismissed as mere killers, they came to be admired as commoners who demonstrated loyalty and embodied the true spirit of bushidō. This reinterpretation conveniently aligned with the pre-war Japanese government's emphasis on militaristic values.
After World War II, writer Shiba Ryōtarō brought figures like Kondō Isami and Hijikata Toshizō into the spotlight through historical novels. These works presented their lives as a kind of success story, leading to adaptations in novels, dramas, and other forms of media. Today, the Shinsengumi frequently appear in anime, manga, and various other works.
Anime Featuring the Shinsengumi
"Hakuōki: Shinsengumi Kitan"
The first installment of this female-oriented romantic adventure game was released in 2008 (Heisei 20). Set during the turbulent Bakumatsu era, it follows a young girl who comes to Kyoto in search of her father and ends up pursuing his whereabouts with the Shinsengumi.
While inspired by the Shinsengumi, the story incorporates fantasy elements like demons and vampires, becoming immensely popular. It has since expanded into TV and theatrical anime, stage productions, musicals, events, and comics.
- Official Website: Hakuōki Official Site https://www.otomate.jp/portal/hakuoki/
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"Gintama"
This beloved manga began serialization in Weekly Shōnen Jump in 2004 (Heisei 16). Set in an Edo era transformed by an alien invasion, it blends comedy, action, and heartfelt stories in a sci-fi samurai drama. The "Shinsengumi" is reimagined as the "Shinsengumi," with characters inspired by figures like Kondō Isami and Hijikata Toshizō.
The manga series has sold over 73 million copies worldwide. Its anime adaptation aired from 2006 (Heisei 18) to 2018 (Heisei 30), spanning 367 episodes, with multiple theatrical anime releases and live-action films that achieved significant success.
- Official Website: "Gintama" 20th Anniversary Site https://anime-gintama.com/
👉 Shop for Gintama Products (Yahoo! Shopping)
"Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story"
Set after the Bakumatsu, this story follows Himura Kenshin, a former assassin known as "Battōsai the Manslayer," as he seeks to live peacefully in a new era. Characters based on Okita Sōji and Saitō Hajime make appearances.
The manga debuted in Weekly Shōnen Jump in 1994 (Heisei 6) and was adapted into an anime in 1996 (Heisei 8). The series has since expanded with OVAs, live-action films, and ongoing installments like Rurouni Kenshin: Hokkaido Arc, currently serialized in Jump Square.
- Official Website: Rurouni Kenshin TV Anime https://rurouni-kenshin.com/
👉 Buy Rurouni Kenshin products (Yahoo! Shopping)
"Ao no Miburo"
This popular manga, serialized in Weekly Shōnen Magazine, portrays the lives of the Shinsengumi through the eyes of a kind and justice-driven young boy. The title refers to the Shinsengumi's nickname from their days as the Mibu Rōshigumi.
The series was adapted into a TV anime in October 2024 (Reiwa 6), with the second cour airing in January 2025 (Reiwa 7). It’s currently one of the hottest works centered on the Shinsengumi.
- Official Website: Ao no Miburo TV Anime https://miburoanime.com/
👉 Shop for Ao no Miburo Products (Yahoo! Shopping)
Exploring Sites Associated with the Shinsengumi
Mibu-dera Temple (Kyoto Prefecture)
Founded in 991 (Shōryaku 2), Mibu-dera Temple has long been a site of worship for Jizō Bodhisattva, attracting people seeking protection from misfortune and good fortune. This historic temple preserves numerous treasures, including important cultural properties. During the late Edo period, it served as a training ground for the Shinsengumi. Within the temple grounds, there is a small island in a pond called "Mibu-zuka." Here, you will find a bust of Kondō Isami, a monument containing some of his hair, and graves of Shinsengumi members. At the temple shop, you can purchase original Shinsengumi-themed goods.
Mibu-dera Temple
Address: 31 Mibu Naginomiya-chō, Nakagyō-ku, Kyoto
- Access: About a 10-minute walk from Hankyu Railway Ōmiya Station or Keifuku Railway Shijō-Ōmiya Station
- Hours: 8:30 AM–5:00 PM (Shinsengumi historic sites and the shop: 9:00 AM–4:00 PM)
- Official Website: https://www.mibudera.com/
< References>
・Fumiaki Sato, Kazuko Funabiki "Shinsengumi Illustrated Edition Original" (Gendai Shokan, 2003, 174 pages)
・Hiromi Tanaka "The Last Samurai! Introduction to Shinsengumi" (Gentosha, 2004, 119 pages)
・ "Bakumatsu Kengo Retsuden 99 (Futabasha's Great Encyclopedia)" (Futabasha, 2014, 191 pages)
Akira Kikuchi, "Shinsengumi: The Organization of the Purge" (Bungei Shunju, 2016, 263 pages)
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