Hijikata Toshizo

• Born: 1835
• Died: 1869
• Titles:Shinsengumi vice commander, Ezo Army Bugyo
• Japanese:土方歳三(Hijikata Toshizo)

Shieikan

Toshizo was born in a wealthy farmer family in Tama district, Musashi. He practiced Kenjutsu in many dojo while he was working as a medicine peddler. One day, Toshizo met Kondo Isami at Sato Hikogoro's dojo and he became pupil of Tennen Rishin ryu. In 1863, Toshizo and other Shieikan members joined Roshigumi.

Shinsengumi

Kondo Isami and Hijikata Toshizo ruled Shinsengumi completely after eliminating Serizawa Kamo's Mito group.

Kyokuchu Hatto(The Shinsengumi Regulations) is believed to be Hijikata's idea. Many of Shinsengumi members lost their lives because of the strict regulations.

On the Ikedaya Affair, Hijikata's troop arrived Ikedaya later than Kondo's troop. Hijikata first secured around Ikedaya to not let Aizu and Kuwana han samurai in. As the result, Shinsengumi received all the fame and prizes.

Boshin war

Hijikata commanded Shinsengumi at the Battle of Toba-Fushimi , the Battle of Yodo-Senryomatsu(1868 January) instead of wounded Kondo Isami. Shinsengumi lost many members at the battles. Then Hijikata realized "The age of swords is over."

When Kondo was captured at Nagareyama, Hijikata went back to Edo where already occupied by the imperial army to appeal Katsu Kaishu for Kondo's life.

Hijikata then headed to Utsunomiya with several Shinsengumi members (Saito Hajime took most of members to Aizu) , joined Bakufu troops.

He was injured his foot in April and sent to Aizu. But he was unable to come back to the front line until August. Kondo's grave in Aizu was built during the time.

Hakodate

Hijikata and Bakufu troops occupied Goryokaku in October, Matsumae castle in November. They declared "Republic of Ezo" (Enomoto Takeaki as the president), Hijikata was appointed to be the Ezo Army Bugyo Nami.

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