Shinsengumi showed its striking presence in Kyoto or in the Boshin War at the end of Edo period. Although we are impressed with their efforts in Kyoto, Tama region has also many places which are associated with Shinsengumi. Some of them are designated for Cultural properties.

This route is selected to get familiar with Shinsengumi visiting several Cultural properties. Let's enjoy this tour of Cultural properties with thought of turbulent times.

Shinsengumi

Shinsengumi was active in Kyoto at the end of Edo period, and fought it out in the Boshin War as the Former Shogunate Army. It has been appeared many times in novels including "Moeyo Ken" by SHIBA Ryotaro, movies and TV dramas. And recently, animations, games and comics featuring Shinsengumi make a great hit.

KONDO Isami and his comrade of Tennenrishin-ryu School (school of swordplay), HIJIKATA Toshizo and INOUE Genzaburo in Hino organized Shinsengumi, and became leading members of it. Menaces from foreign countries, domestic market disturbances by opening of the country to the world, the idea of Sonno-Joi (slogan advocating reverence for the Emperor and the expulsion of foreigners) gained momentum..., under these social conditions, they joined the Roshigumi which was organized by Shogunate for guarding the 14th Shogun, TOKUGAWA Iemochi on the way to Kyoto.

Although many Roshi (masterless samurai) returned to Edo for operating the anti-foreigner policy, KONDO Isami and his comrade remained and applied for a job of guarding Kyoto City to the lord of Aizu Domain, MATSUDAIRA Katamori in the Kyoto Shugoshoku post (the deputy of Kyoto) for guarding Kyoto City. It is well known that they were named Shinsengumi with success in the Coup of August 18 in 1863 and gained fames in Ikedaya Incident etc.

After Taisei Hokan (Returning the power to the Emperor) on October and Oseifukko-no-Daigorei (restoring the Imperial rule) on December in 1867, the Boshin War occurred between the Former Shogunate Army and the New Government's Forces, which lasted nearly one and a half year. After being defeated in the Battle of Toba-Fushimi, they continued to fight as volunteer group of Former Shogunate. However, on April in 1868 KONDO Isami surrendered to the New Government's Army at Nagareyama and was decapitated at Itabashi, while HIJIKATA Toshizo who participated the Hakodate Government by Former Shogunate, and he was killed in the all-out assault of Hakodate.

Shinsengumi which ran through the times of the turbulence called the late TOKUGAWA period, and the revolution, most of them lost their life in the battle. However their way of life that sacrificed itself for loyalty to the Shogunate still attracts many people.

• "Let's take a stroll around The places associated with Shinsengumi !"(5.85MB)