Okita Soji

• Born: 1842
• Died: 1868
• Titles:Shinsengumi Captain.
• Japanese:沖田総司房良(Okita Soji Kaneyoshi)

Shieikan

Okita Soji was born as a son of lower Shirakawa han Samurai.He was raised by his oldest sister Mitsu and her husband after father died. When he was around 10, he became pupil of Kondo Shusuke's Shieikan dojo of Tennen Rishin Ryu. One of famous episode of this Kenjutsu genius is when he was just 12, he defeated Kenjutsu teacher of Shirakawa han. Soji became head coach of Shieikan when he was only 19.

1863, he joined Roshigumi along with other Shieikan members.

Shinsengumi

Soji involved assassination of Tonouchi Yoshio, Serizawa Kamo. On the Ikedaya Affair, he was one of 4 members who raided inside of Ikedaya. During the 2hours battle, Soji fought on the 2nd floor almost alone but fell down unconscious for Anemia or heat. (Recent researches deny that was symptom of tuberculosis) Many people who witnessed Shinsengumi described Soji was one of best Swordman in Shinsengumi. On the other hand,Yagi Tamesaburo told Shimozawa Kan in early Showa period "Soji was always joking" "He used to play with neighboring children."

Tuberculosis

Soji became seriously ill in fall of 1867. He stayed at the Osaka Castle with wounded Kondo Isami during the Battle of Toba-Fushimi in January 1868. March, he visited Sato Hikogoro in Hino as a member of Koyo Chinbutai but had to return to Edo because of ill. He died a month after Kondo's death. His grave is in Keisho-ji, Tokyo. (Keisho-ji allows visitors for Soji's grave only once a year)

Okita Soji's Sword

• Kaga Kiyomitsu 加賀清光

Okita in Fiction

Books

• Okita Soji no koi (沖田総司の恋) Shiba Ryotaro
• Okita Soji (沖田総司) Ouchi Miyoko
• Okita Soji Shui (沖田総司拾遺) Ouchi Miyoko
• Okita Soji (沖田総司) Miyoshi Toru
• Okita Soji (沖田総司) Matsuda Jukkoku
• Okita Soji Omokagesho (沖田総司・おもかげ抄) Mori Makiko
• Okita Soji Ansatsuken (沖田総司・暗殺剣) Kano Atsushi
• Okita Soji Madoken (沖田総司・魔道剣) Kano Atsushi
• Okita Soji Hijoken (沖田総司・非情剣) Kano Atsushi
• Okita Soji Aika (沖田総司哀歌 ) Mori Makiko
• Sora wo Oou Mabuta (天を覆う瞼) Makabe Saori
• Soji Honoo no Gotoku (総司 炎の如く) Akiyama Kano
• Shinsengumi Ichibantai Okita Soji (新選組一番隊 沖田総司) Yuki Shihaya
• Okita Soji (沖田総司) Saotome Misugu

Research Books

• Okita Soji no Subete (沖田総司のすべて) Shinjinbutsu Oraisha
• Okita SOji to Shinsengumi Taishi (沖田総司と新選組隊士) Kawai Atsushi
• OkiItalic textta Soji wo Aruku (沖田総司を歩く) Oji Kazuko

References

• Shinsengumi Ibun (新選組遺聞) Shimozawa Kan
• Shinsengumi Taishi Den (新選組隊士伝) Gakken
• Shinsengumi (新選組) Sekai Bunkasha
• Shinsengumi Zentaishi Tettei Guide (新選組全隊士徹底ガイド) Maeda Masaki

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