Kondo Isami

• Born: 1834
• Died: 1868
• Japanese: 近藤 勇 (Kondou Isami)

Photograph of Kondo Isami

Shieikan

Kondô Isami was born Miyagawa Katsugoro, in the village of Kami-Ishihara in Musashi province, where he came from a farming family. When he was 14 (1849) Kondô Isami trained in the Tennen Rishin-ryu sword style at the Shieikan (this ryu was studied by many members of the Shinsegumi). In 1861 Kondô became the fourth master of Tennen Rishin-ryu.

In 1863, Kondô and another 8 Shieikan members joined the Roushigumi. The Roushigumi arrived at Kyôtô on Feb 23, staying at the Yagi Gennojou residence in Mibu.

Shinsengumi

Kiyokawa Hachiro suggested the Roushigumi return to Edo, however, Kondô and 23 other Roushi decided to stay in Kyoto. They submitted a petition to Lord Matsudaira Katamori of Aizu han, the Military Commissioner of Kyoto and started working under Aizu han as Mibu Roushigumi.

The Mibu Roushigumi were ordered to guard Ohanabatake gate during Political change on August 18. After that, they were given the new name Shinsengumi by Buke Denso. On September 16, Kondô Isami's group killed Serizawa Kamo's group and Kondô became commander of the Shinsengumi.

In 1864, Shinsengumi raided Ikedaya(Ikedaya Jiken) and destructed the Sonjo Roushi group. After Kinmon no hen Kondô went back to Edo to hire more members. He brought Ito Kashitaro group to Kyoto. In 1867 June, Shinsengumi members were appointed to be Jikisan. December, Kondô was shot on right shoulder on the Fushimi street.

Boshin war

Kondo was at the Osaka castle with Okita Souji who was ill at the time during the Battle of Toba-Fushimi in January 1868, Kondô returned to Edo,reorganized Shinsengumi to Koyo Chinbutai headed to take over Kofu castle, but lost the battle at Katsunuma. April,Shinsengumi was surrounded by imperial troop at Nagareyama, Kondô surrendered as Okubo Yamato. He was beheaded on May 17 1868 at Itabashi. His head has been missing after displayed at Sanjo river side, Kyoto.

Isami in Fiction

Film

• Shinsengumi (新選組) 1925 (Director:Tsuji Yoshiro )
• Shinsengumi Taicho Kondo Isami (新撰組隊長近藤勇) 1928-29(Director: Inutsuka Minoru)
• Kobo Shinsengumi (興亡新選組) 1930 (Director:Ito Daisuke )
• Ikinokotta Shinsengumi (生き残った新撰組) 1932(Director:Kinugasa Teinosuke )
• Shinsengumi Hika (新撰組悲歌) 1934 (Director: Masuda Yasuo)
• Shinsengumi (新選組) 1937 (Director: Kimura Sotoji)
• Shinsengumi (新撰組) 1938 (Director: Makino Masahiro)
• Shinsengumi Kyouraku Fuun no maki (新選組 京洛風雲の巻) 1952(Director: Hagiwara Ryo )
• Shinsengumi Ikedaya Sodo(新選組 池田屋騒動) 1952(Director:Hagiwara Ryo )
• Shinsengumi Maken Ranbu(新選組 魔剣乱舞)1952(Director:Hagiwara Ryo )
• Ikedaya Sodo (池田屋騒動) 1953 (Director: Ikeda Tomiyasu)
• Shinsengumi Oni Taicho (新選組鬼隊長) 1954 (Director:Kouno Toshikazu )
• Shinsengumi (新選組) 1958 (Director: Sasaki Yasushi )
• Souretsu Shinsengumi (壮烈新選組) 1960 (Director:Sasaki Yasushi )
• Fu-un Shinsengumi (風雲新撰組) 1961 (Director:Mouri Masaki )
• Shinsengumi Keppuroku Kondo Isami (新選組血風録・近藤勇) 1963 (Director: Ozawa Shigehiro)
• Shinsengumi (新選組) 1969 (Director:Sawamura Tadashi )
• Shinsengumi (新撰組) 2000 (Director: Ichikawa Kon )

Television

• Shinsengumi (新撰組) 43rd NHK Taiga Drama 200４

Appearances

• When the Last Sword is Drawn (壬生義士伝) 2003 (Director: Takita Yojiro) (Movie)