Saito Hajime
- Born: 1844
- Died: 1915
- Titles: Shinsengumi Captain, Aizu Shinsengumi Commander
- Japanese: 斎藤一 (Saito Hajime) originaly 山口一(Yamaguchi Hajime)
Shinsengumi
Saitô Hajime was born as a son of Gokenin in Edo. He killed a Hatamoto when he was around 18 and he had to ran away from Edo. He joined Mibu Roshigumi in Kyoto 1863. In 1864 He became captain of the 3rd unit of Shinsengumi. When Itô Kashitarô group formed Goryô Eji, Saito joined them as a spy and detected their plan of assassination of Kondô Isami which resulted Ito Kashitaro was assassinated by Shinsengumi.(Incident at Aburano Koji)
Boshin War
He participated the Battle of Toba-Fushimi, the Battle of Koshu-Katsunuma. Then he went to Aizu with several members. (Kondô Isami and other members went to Nagareyama) He was named to be commander of Shinsengumi instead of Hijikata Toshizo who was wounded. After they lost the Battle of Bonari pass , Hijikata decided to go north to join Enomoto Takeaki's Bakufu troops. According to Saitô Hajime's grandson, Saito said "Shinsengumi have been benefitted by Lord Matsudaira Katamori. I refuse to leave Aizu. No way. I would die with them." Saitô and around 20 other members stayed in Aizu and hold a siege in Nyoraidô, but defeated. 1868 September, Aizu surrendered. Aizu samurai and families were expeled to Tonami.
Meiji
Saito married to Takagi Tokio in Tonami, sponsered by former Lord Matsudaira Katamori, former Aizu han Karô Yamakawa Hiroshi and Sagawa Kanbei. (Saito had prior marriage with Shinoda Yaso but details are unknown) Saito was given new name Fujita Goro by Matsudaira Katamori. Later they moved to Tokyo, Goro was hired to Police department(1872). 1877, he was sent to Kyushu(Seinan War) as a member of Battô tai with many other former Aizu han samurai. It was like revenge of Boshin war. 1891,he retired Police and worked at schools until 1909. 1915 he died of stomach ulcer.
Kenjutsu
Saito is believed to learn Mugai Ryu and Itto Ryu.
Saito Hajime's Sword
- Kishinmaru Kunishige 鬼神丸国重
Name
Saito changed name 4times.
- 1.Yamaguchi Hajime (Original)
- 2.Saitô Hajime (After he killed a Hatamoto)
- 3.Yamaguchi Jiro (After he escaped from Goryô Eji)
- 4.Ichinohe Denpachi (When he moved to Tonami)
- 5.Fujita Goro (When he married to Tokio)
Saito in Fiction
Books
- Meiji Burai Den(明治無頼伝) Nakamura Akihiko
Research Books
- Shinsengumi Fukucho Jokin Saito Hajime (新選組副長助勤 斎藤一) Akama Shizuko
References
- Shinsengumi Zentaishi Tettei Guide (新選組全隊士徹底ガイド) Maeda Masaki
- Shinsengumi Taishi Den (新選組隊士伝) Gakken
- Shinsengumi (新選組) Sekai Bunkasha
