- Bakufu loyalists Vs. Emperor loyalists
- Date: 1868/3/6
- Location: Katsunuma
- Japanese:甲州勝沼の戦い(Kôshû Katsunuma no tatakai)
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The Shinsengumi returned to Edo after the Battle of Toba-Fushimi. Kondô Isami, the commander of Shinsengumi, visited Katsu Kaishû in Edo castle, where he received the order to take over Kôfu castle to block the Imperial troops[1]. Kondo recruited new members and reformed the Shinsengumi as the Kôyô Chinbutai. On 3/1, The Kôyô Chinbutai took Kôshu avenue to Katsunuma. They were welcomed in the towns on the way because the region was home of the main Shinsengumi members including Kondô (who was using the alias Okubo Tsuyoshi), Hijikata (who was using the alias Naito Hayato).
The welcome parties slowed them down considerably. As the result, Kôfu castle was occupied by the Imperial troops before they arrived. Almost half of the Kôyô Chinbutai members deserted before arriving at Katsunuma. They were defeated within 2 hours. Right before the battle, Hijikata alone went back to Hachiôji to ask Nappatai, which was the unit formed by Hatamoto for support. But the Nappatai ignored the request.
Notes
- ↑ Some researchers say that Katsu wanted the Shinsengumi to be away from Edo.
References
- Bakumatsu Boshin Seinan Senso (幕末戊辰西南戦争) Gakken 2006
- Illustrated Boshin War (イラストでみる戊辰戦争) Shinjinbutsu Oraisha 1988
- Shinsengumi Shiroku (新撰組史録) Hirao Michio