#shinsengumi history

[towerbetweenworlds]

Wow have not checked Tumblr in 7 years. Shocking.

Mostly here because I majorly revived my obsession with Sannan Keisuke of Hakuoki fame (or infamy depending on who you ask). Since Hakuoki Kyoto Winds / Edo Blossoms came out on Steam, I have played Sannan's route exclusively because 1) it breaks my heart too much to see him villainized, and 2) it kinda makes me feel like I'm cheating on him to play other routes? Haha, I'm a dork.

I've also recently started rewatching the Shinsengumi! Taiga drama and can't help but lament how we can't use the Ochimizu to save all those tragic young men from their inevitable fates.

(Somewhat spoiler I guess? For both Hakuoki Sannan route and Shinsengumi! live action taiga drama)

Honestly, the fleeting yet impactful existence of the Shinsengumi is a fitting setting for an otome game where the love interests can become vampires instead of dying as they do in history.

One thing that rather interested me is that I found out there is a historical precedence for Sannan's arm injury that leads him to be the first member of the Shinsengumi to imbibe the Water of Life.

Sources:

https://shinsengumi.net/index.php/2020/09/28/yamanami-keisuke-sannan/

https://shinsengumi-archives.tumblr.com/post/188360328151/yamanami-keisuke-shinsengumi-no-makoto

Before reading about it, I assumed his more widely accepted fate in history (that he broke the Shinsengumi's laws by leaving due to his moral objection to their shifting ideologies and increasingly ruthless methods, got caught in the act, and was forced to commit seppuku by Hijikata) was the true one.

Guess who is on my phone's lock screen now? (Too bad HakuMyu doesn't do Sannan's route...)

[brother-emperors]

What are your favourite time periods besides Roman empire?

I'm actually a Late Republic kind of guy, idc much about the empire except for Caligula, but! to answer your question:

12th-14th century italy, imperial china (specifically the ming dynasty), colonial-revolutionary philippines, fucking. colonial america (or amrev, as some people refer to it. this one I hate admitting because I'm so fucking disinterested in the romanticized version of it that a lot of people enjoy, but I've been obsessed since I was 7 and when I was living in new england I spent all my free time going to reenactment events and museums)

[talesofedo]

Picture from Google

Let's talk Shinsengumi haori.

Without a doubt, the Shinsengumi's asagi-color haori, with its white Yamagata sleeve pattern, is one of the most recognizable items of the Edo period, both in media specifically focused on the Shinsengumi and perhaps in general.

So recognizable, in fact, that there was a lot of confusion when the most recent Shinsengumi movie, 2021's Moeyo Ken (Baragaki: Unbroken Samurai in the international release), did not feature it at all, opting instead for an all-black uniform. Not to mention the complete WTF moment that is the red-and-black uniform of 2002's Mibu Gishiden (When the Last Sword Is Drawn in the international release).

But ... what's the historical basis of the asagi-color haori?

Yamamura Tatsuya, researcher and author of many books on both the Shinsengumi specifically and the Bakumatsu period generally, and consultant on movies, documentaries, TV shows, and various other media, says there are several eyewitness accounts in records of the Aizu domain that describe the haori:

In 騒擾日記 (Sojo Nikki): "Fifty-two of them, who called themselves Mibu Roshi, were uniformly dressed, wearing haori of asagi-iro with a white pattern on the cuffs."

This account dates to the Coup of 8.18 (Bunkyu Coup), which took place at the end of September 1863 using the Western calendar.

Two things that are interesting here: (1) the haori was made while they were still the Mibu Roshigumi, as they weren't given the name Shinsengumi until after the Coup, and (2) all of them were uniformly dressed in haori at this time.

In 文久元治亥子太平録 (Bunkyu Genji Boishi Taiheiroku - I think that's how it's read?): "Asa haori with sleeves marked in white with triangular shapes."

This entry helpfully included a drawing of three connected triangles alongside the description, making it clear what these looked like.

(Asa is Japan's linen, but I'm always hesitant to translate it as linen because it's made from domestically-grown plants, typically hemp, ramie, or wisteria, while linen in the general use of the word refers to material made from flax, which wasn't grown in Japan until the Meiji period.)

Additionally, I found other notes from 文久元治亥子太平録, including one from 3.25 Bunkyu 3 (1863) when Aizu retainers went to see the Mibu Roshigumi, who were "wearing clothes of the same color, with a crest" and "having a uniform cloak made", for which 2 ryo was provided by Aizu in addition to the general allowance the Mibu Roshi received from the domain.

In addition to the period eyewitness descriptions from Aizu retainers, the haori are also mentioned in both "Shinsengumi Tenmatsuki", Nagakura Shinpachi's serialized recollections of the Shinsengumi, and in "Shinsengumi Ibun" by Shimozawa Kan, recording the recollection of Yagi Tamesaburo, the son of the Yagi family.

Nagakura: "The haori was only worn for official duties and the asagi sleeves were dyed with dandara, just like the costumes worn by the Ako ronin in the Chushingura."

Yagi: "There was a uniform. It was a light asagi color haori with white mountain patterns dyed into the hem and sleeves, like the costumes of the Ako ronin."

Yamamura, however, believes that Shimozawa Kan's record of Yagi Tamesaburo's recollection may have been embellished by giving not only the information that both the hem and sleeves were dyed with the white pattern, but also offering specific information on the number of patterns on each. In later writings, such as "Shinsengumi Monogatari", in which Shimozawa reuses some of the information from "Shinsengumi Ibun", those details were removed.

---

Summary:

The famous blue Shinsengumi haori undoubtedly existed, even if there are no surviving examples.

It was made from asa, a kind of linen usually made from hemp or ramie, and did have white triangular shapes dyed into the sleeves.

It is first mentioned in Aizu records is in the 3rd month of Bunkyu 3 (late April 1863) and appears to have been worn as a duty uniform by all of the troops while they were still the Mibu Roshigumi.

However, perhaps because unlined asa is not a durable material and a lot of new members were recruited, the uniform became less of a uniform, with only some members wearing it while others did not.

The last mention of the haori was after Ikedaya, meaning that it was only used for a little more than a year.

Shortly after Ikedaya, the Shinsengumi went to a black uniform that included black haori and black hakama, as seen in the most recent Moeyo Ken movie.

This uniform was described by Watanabe Noburo: "The black clothes and hakama of the people following me immediately identified them as Shinsengumi."

I'm speculating, but it was probably cheaper to buy black haori and hakama for a group that was increasing in size, and those materials were likely more durable and more popular than the original haori.

The original haori appears to have been an attempt at creating a uniform that would stand out but was inexpensive, since the asa cloth and the indigo dye used to create the light blue color, as well as sewing the haori without a lining, would have been a fairly low-cost option.

Picture from Google

Let's talk about another feature of the haori that is often seen in Shinsengumi media, such as Hakuoki in the picture above: the extra-long haori himo.

I have yet to find any historical source for its existence and while I'm unwilling to say that I am 100% sure it didn't exist (largely because never say never), I am about 99.9% sure it didn't.

Here's why:

(1) If several Aizu retainers and several additional people felt it helpful to describe the material, color, and dye pattern of the haori in detail, they certainly would have mentioned an extra-long haori himo.

(2) Extra long haori himo do not exist in any period sources: I have looked at literally thousands of photos from the late Edo and early Meiji period, including many many portraits, and there's just no such thing. The same holds true for woodblock prints, including prints of actors playing characters in the Chushingura. So again, while I can't say I've looked at all the things, I can say I've looked at a lot.

There is a mention of someone wearing extra long haori himo in the book 明治・父・アメリカ (Meiji, Father, America) by Hoshi Shinichi.

Hoshi writes about the experiences of his father, Hoshi Hajime: "At that time [ 1888-1919] only officials wore Western-style clothing and most people wore Japanese clothing. ... I came up with an idea, to make a very long haori cord, even if it's made from cheap thread. It was unnecessarily long. It was strange, but felt stylish. When I wore it to school, it became a hot topic and some of my classmates imitated it. Eventually, they began to tie the ends and twist them to be hung around the neck. ... It became a bit of a trend."

I don't know when those extra long haori himo crept into Shinsengumi films, but they are already shown in the 1935 movie エノケンの近藤勇 (Enoken no Kondo Isami), which is on YouTube.

That was the earliest movie for which I was able to find video or images, but there are several older ones I'm aware of: a 1934 silent film, 新撰組悲歌 (Shinsengumi hika) and a 1914 silent film, Kondo Isami. I know there are no copies of the 1914 film, but there may possibly be some of Shinsengumi hika that I haven't found yet. So it's still possible that the fashion of long haori himo for Shinsengumi movie costumes might predate the 1935 film.

As always, if you have more info, please add in comments or reblog!

[redsamuraiii]

5 Trivia about The Last Samurai

Although The Last Samurai is known to be historically inaccurate, I realized that some part of it does make sense but the producers just tried to simplify it for the audience as not everyone knows the complex history of Japan.

1. Katsumoto and Hasegawa

They fought together for the Emperor but now they fight on opposing sides. 

Katsumoto 's character is based on Saigo Takamori of Satsuma .

Hasegawa is probably inspired by Hasegawa Yoshimichi of Choshu . 

Historically, Satsuma once supported the Shogunate (Shogun) while Choshu supported the Imperial (Emperor). But over time Satsuma realized the urgency of change and embrace new technology in the face of emerging Western Powers and that the decaying and stubborn Shogunate will destroy the country .

Satsuma join forces with Choshu to overthrow the Shogunate. After they succeeded, Satsuma realized they got played as the new Imperial government is dominated by Choshu instead of having lords from various clans to govern the country and retaining the Samurai way of life but with modern technology .

This sparks the Satsuma Rebellion against the Imperial (Emperor) where former Samurai rallied to Saigo Takamori. While the Imperial is fully modernized and equipped with guns and canons, Satsuma has limited supplies by then and the Ronin that rallied to the cause are poor and uses Katana and arrows.

2. Guns and Samurai

So yes, guns are available since the time of Oda Nobunaga who changed the way of war in Japan and the number of guns used in battle increases as time goes by so one would think that by the time The Last Samurai takes place everyone should have guns right? 

While the movie showed Katsumoto as a man of principles to not use modern weapons but there is a practical reason : money. After the collapse of the Shogunate, the Imperial strip the Samurai of their lands, earnings and status, so they became poor and could not afford to buy more guns.

Guns are not cheap, especially when there is high demand for the European traders to make profit. A reason why in the early days, some Kyushu lords convert to Christianity. Not out of faith but to get exclusive deals of cheap new guns in exchange of allowing the priests into their domains to preach.

3. Poor Samurai

Where is Katsumoto's castle? Every Daimyo has his own castle. As mentioned, since the Samurai are stripped of their lands, the Castles are now under the control of the Imperial. So Katsumoto withdrew to the mountains of his ancestral place at his son’s village, where the monks and peasants are.

Here he reflected his past actions, probably regretting what he had done and seen at Aizu. While the Satsuma are reasonable but the Choshu are less forgiving due to their personal grudges with the Tokugawa Shogunate that strip away their lands and dignity after their defeat at Sekigahara . 

In the Japanese Drama, Yae No Sakura , when the Imperials entered Aizu, the Satsuma was shocked to find most of the defenders are women and children who committed seppuku to avoid capture, lying dead all over Aizu, which disturbed the commander who was expecting Samurai and foot soldiers.

I like to think this commander is Katsumoto which is why he understands what Algren was feeling knowing that they both do not deserve to live. 

4.The European Samurai

Nathan Algren is based on Jules Brunet of the French military who was sent to Japan by Napoleon III to train the Japanese in modern weaponry. He was caught in the crossfire when the Boshin War broke out and received orders to return home to France but he rejected it to stay and fight with the Samurai.

He trained the Aizu Samurai and develop comradeship with them, particularly with the Vice Commander of the Shinsengumi , Hijikata Toshizo . Although Jules Brunet did not wear Samurai armor but he did fought alongside them till the end until the death of Hiijikata at Hokkaido when they were outnumbered.

But Jules Brunet managed to return safely to France just as Nathan Algren survived the war. And just as Nathan Algren talked to the Emperor about how Katsumoto lived his life as a Samurai, Jules Brunet wrote in his memoir, holding Hiijikata Toshizo in high regard , referring to him as the last true Samurai.

5. English Speaking Samurai

Since the arrival of the Europeans and Black Ships, the Samurai have been studying in earnest about Western medicine and technology, hoping to elevate their standing on the world platform and be an equal to the European powers as they fear of what happened to China in Opium Wars happen to them next. Not all, but the high ranking Samurai, especially those on the West of Japan like the Satsuma and Choshu who have been trading with Europeans for many years and have begun learning their languages ​​​​​so it is of no surprise that Katsumoto knows English which he teaches his son as well.

Besides, unlike the early days of the Samurai, during the 300 years of peace and isolation under Tokugawa Shogunate, the Samurai learn to read and write in order to help the Shogun administer and govern the country including land surveying, tax collecting and accounting balance sheets .

Thoughts

Overall I think the producers did an amazing job simplifying the long and complex history of Boshin War and Meiji Restoration in a span of two hours plus movie without exaggerating. For a historical fiction I think it's pretty great. After all it'a not a documentary but a masterpiece meant to be enjoyed, filled with spirituality and life lessons. 

But that is a story for another time. Thank you for reading.

[todayisafridaynight]

absolutely compelled to do a Fact vs Fiction for ishin....

[the-insanity-of-mojiru]

Upon hearing the report, Saniwa immediately rushed to Memory of Ikedaya with a camera, breaking the space time continuum even more.

[rosencrantzsguildenstern]

the gintama screenshot that haunts my dreams

[hatakesen]

[thegenderfluidgokenin]

Bloody Shikyo

This one took a while. Depicting a gloomy night in a Shikyo (the fantasy edo equvilent) gated suburb that has become the unlucky target of a raid by the Kogeki Keisatsu, suspected of harboring rebellion.

The 攻撃警察 on his uniform means Strike Police, this universe's S.W.A.T mixed with Doshin. He wields a Tateto, or Shield Blade (basically a sabre) alongside a spearheaded lantern-holder.

His uniform is reminicent of a mix of Edo-Period Doshin, Late Armored Samurai, and Shinsengumi.

[fuckyeahbakumatsu]

Alright, it's time. This is referring to the actual historical people. There's no "I don't know" option for a reason. Go with what your gut is telling you in this moment.

Please share your reasoning in the comments there are so many compelling arguments either way

[babygray]

[vivienna-vivid]

Common Isami Kondo L moment (Context below)

(From shinsengumi-archives)

[talesofedo]

Hi, sorry for this random (and probably very stupid) question, but do you know if any member of Shinsengumi had tattoos?

I don't think the question is random or stupid; no need to apologize for your curiosity!

That said, unfortunately I don't have a clear yes or no answer for you.

I can tell you that I don't remember reading any mentions of tattoos among Shinsengumi members. I think a tattoo would have been uncommon enough in the group that people would have noted it in writing or perhaps mentioned it during interviews.

I do have a more general article about tattoos at the end of the Edo period here.

Tattooing was increasing in popularity in the 1800s, enough so for a magazine to complain about all these people covering their skin with ink, but also enough that the government passed a series of laws on the matter.

Looking at photos from the end of the Edo period and early Meiji period, tattoos seem to mostly have been a trend with townsmen - merchants, artisans, firefighters, couriers, palanquin carriers, and so on - but there are some references of small tattoos among courtesans and (supposedly) samurai.

It would have been a really rare occurrence for a samurai to have a tattoo, although the text quoted in that other post suggests that temporary tattoos, painted on for special occasions, was an alternative option. That seems to have been a fairly brief fad, perhaps already outdated by the 1860s, however.

[fishfishlove]

who would win

the best swordsman of the shinsengumi or

a cat

[todayisafridaynight]

There's tags for the actual historical figures?????

history tumblr does exist, yes anon

[rabidrekijo]

Gotta get me a degree in Sadbois of History