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The Shinsengumi was a special police force in [[Kyoto]], which was organized by the [[Bakufu]] during the [[Bakumatsu period]] .
The Shinsengumi was a special police force organized by the [[Tokugawa shogunate]] in the 1860s to maintain the peace in [[Kyoto]], and to help guard the city during [[Shogun]] [[Tokugawa Iemochi|Tokugawa Iemochi's]] visit in [[1863]].
==[[Roshigumi|Rôshigumi]]==
==[[Roshigumi|Rôshigumi]]==
In [[1863]] the [[Bakufu]] recruited [[ronin]] to guard [[Shogun]] [[Tokugawa Iemochi|Iemochi]] on a visit to [[Kyoto]] to meet with the [[Emperor Komei]]. This visit was a precedent breaking event—not since the third Shogun of the Tokugawa Bakufu, [[Tokugawa Iemitsu]], had a reigning shogun gone to Kyoto. This was a difficult time for a Japan as the country was violently struggling to find consensus on how to deal with the threat sparked by the arrival of American and then European naval squadrons demanding that Japan open up or face military action. Tokugawa Iemochi, as head of the military government, was being summoned to confer on how to enact the recent imperial edict calling for the expulsion of foreigners to be backed up by the use of force.
In 1863 the shogunate recruited [[ronin]] to guard Shogun Tokugawa Iemochi on a visit to Kyoto to meet with [[Emperor Komei|Emperor Kômei]]. This visit was a precedent-breaking event — not since the visit of [[Tokugawa Iemitsu]] to the city in [[1634]] had a reigning shogun gone to Kyoto. This was a difficult time for a Japan as the country was violently struggling to find consensus on how to deal with the threat sparked by the arrival of American and then European naval squadrons demanding that Japan open up or face military action. Tokugawa Iemochi, as head of the military government, was being summoned to confer on how to enact the recent imperial edict calling for the expulsion of foreigners to be backed up by the use of force.
[[Matsudaira Katamori]], daimyo of [[Aizu han]] was given the newly created post of [[Kyoto Shugo Shoku|Protector of Kyoto]] and charged with the responsibility of curtailing the lawlessness that had gripped Kyoto as well as guaranteeing the Shogun’s safety during his stay in Kyoto. As the anarchy being wreaked in Kyoto in the name of [[Sonno|Sonnô]] [[Joi|Jôi]] (revere the Emperor; expel the foreigners) by pro-imperial [[ronin]], the Bakufu felt that the best way to fight ronin was with other ronin. The actual plan for the [[Roshigumi|Rôshigumi]] is credited to [[Matsudaira Chikaranosuke]], chief [[Kenjutsu]] instructor at the Shogunate’s military academy [[Kobusho|Kôbusho]]. This new corps of pro-Bakufu ronin was named the Roshigumi and [[Kiyokawa Hachiro|Kiyokawa Hachirô]] of [[Shonai han|Shônai han]], was given the responsibility of recruiting members. Kiyokawa Hachirô was chosen to recruit ronin for the newly created Roshigumi while [[Yamaoka Tesshu]], Kiyokawa's longtime friend, provided support and additional leadership. In reality, Kiyokawa harbored anti-Tokugawa sentiments and was a vehement supporter of the principles of sonnô jôi and proceeded to recruit like-minded ronin to fill the Roshigumi’s ranks. Additionally, Kiyokawa secretly planned to turn the Roshigumi into an instrument of sonno joi upon arrival in Kyoto, abandoning the mission of protecting Iemochi. With this plan in mind, Kiyokawa marched out of Edo with a force of 250 men on February 8, [[1863]], as the vanguard of Shogun Iemochi’s procession to Kyoto.
[[Matsudaira Katamori]], daimyo of [[Aizu han]] was given the newly created post of [[Kyoto Shugo Shoku|Protector of Kyoto]] and charged with the responsibility of curtailing the lawlessness that had gripped Kyoto as well as guaranteeing the Shogun’s safety during his stay in Kyoto. As the anarchy being wreaked in Kyoto in the name of [[Sonno|Sonnô]] [[Joi|Jôi]] (revere the Emperor; expel the foreigners) by pro-imperial [[ronin]], the Bakufu felt that the best way to fight ronin was with other ronin. The actual plan for the [[Roshigumi|Rôshigumi]] is credited to [[Matsudaira Chikaranosuke]], chief [[Kenjutsu]] instructor at the Shogunate’s military academy [[Kobusho|Kôbusho]]. This new corps of pro-Bakufu ronin was named the Roshigumi and [[Kiyokawa Hachiro|Kiyokawa Hachirô]] of [[Shonai han|Shônai han]], was given the responsibility of recruiting members. Kiyokawa Hachirô was chosen to recruit ronin for the newly created Roshigumi while [[Yamaoka Tesshu]], Kiyokawa's longtime friend, provided support and additional leadership. In reality, Kiyokawa harbored anti-Tokugawa sentiments and was a vehement supporter of the principles of sonnô jôi and proceeded to recruit like-minded ronin to fill the Roshigumi’s ranks. Additionally, Kiyokawa secretly planned to turn the Roshigumi into an instrument of sonno joi upon arrival in Kyoto, abandoning the mission of protecting Iemochi. With this plan in mind, Kiyokawa marched out of Edo with a force of 250 men on February 8, [[1863]], as the vanguard of Shogun Iemochi’s procession to Kyoto.
==Shinsengumi==
==Shinsengumi==
Out of the remnants of the Roshigumi who refused to return to Edo, the Shinsengumi was born. Matsudaira Katamori named three commanders: [[Kondo Isami|Kondô Isami]], leader of the eight-man [[Shieikan]] faction; [[Serizawa Kamo]] leader of the five-man Mito faction; and [[Niimi Nishiki]], another member of the Mito faction who was only a nominal commander and did not wield any true power. Kondô and Serizawa were fierce rivals and the tension between the two was reaching a boiling point. Kondô and his right hand man, Vice-Commander [[Hijikata Toshizo|Hijikata Toshizô]], began to plot the destruction of the Mito faction. Their first break came in early September [[1863]], when Niimi was found guilty of extorting money for use at the geisha houses and was forced to submit [[Seppuku]]. Serizawa's violent and unruly behavior gave Kondô the opportunity he needed to finish the job and seize sole power. As it was felt that Serizawa was soiling the group's reputation, Matsudaira Katamori, ordered the assassination of Serizawa and his closest cohorts. On September 16 or 18 (there isn’t clear agreement on the exact date), Hijikata, the gifted swordsman [[Okita Soji|Okita Sôji]] and two other members loyal to Kondô assassinated Serizawa and [[Hirayama Goro|Hirayama Gorô]]. A third assassination target, [[Hirama Jusuke]], escaped. With the Mito faction broken, Kondô and Hijikata had absolute control over the Shinsengumi.
Out of the remnants of the Roshigumi who refused to return to Edo, the Shinsengumi was born. Matsudaira Katamori named three commanders: [[Kondo Isami|Kondô Isami]], leader of the eight-man [[Shieikan]] faction; [[Serizawa Kamo]] leader of the five-man Mito faction; and [[Niimi Nishiki]], another member of the Mito faction who was only a nominal commander and did not wield any true power. Kondô and Serizawa were fierce rivals and the tension between the two was reaching a boiling point. Kondô and his right hand man, Vice-Commander [[Hijikata Toshizo|Hijikata Toshizô]], began to plot the destruction of the Mito faction. Their first break came in early September [[1863]], when Niimi was found guilty of extorting money for use at the geisha houses and was forced to submit [[Seppuku]]. Serizawa's violent and unruly behavior gave Kondô the opportunity he needed to finish the job and seize sole power. As it was felt that Serizawa was soiling the group's reputation, Matsudaira Katamori, ordered the assassination of Serizawa and his closest cohorts. On September 16 or 18 (there isn’t clear agreement on the exact date), Hijikata, the gifted swordsman [[Okita Soji|Okita Sôji]] and two other members loyal to Kondô assassinated Serizawa and [[Hirayama Goro|Hirayama Gorô]]. A third assassination target, [[Hirama Jusuke]], escaped. With the Mito faction broken, Kondô and Hijikata had absolute control over the Shinsengumi.
===Ikedaya Incident===
===Ikedaya Incident===
''(See [[Ikedaya Incident]])''
''(See [[Ikedaya Incident]])''
On [[1864]]/6/5, the Shinsengumi raided the [[Ikedaya Affair|Ikedaya]] where [[Sonjo Roshi|Sonjo Rôshi]]
were planning to burn [[Kyoto]] and kidnap the emperor.
were planning to burn [[Kyoto]] and kidnap the emperor.
After successfully preventing rebels from seizing control of the [[Kyoto Imperial Palace]] in the [[Kinmon Rebellion]] the following month, the Shinsengumi received reward money from the Imperial court, shogunate, and [[Aizu han]], and used those funds to recruit some two hundred new members. These new members included [[Ito Kashitaro|Ito Kashitarô's]] group, recruited by Kondô during a visit to Edo. The Shinsengumi headquarters was then relocated from Mibu to [[Nishi Hongan-ji]].
The Shinsengumi headquarter moved from Mibu to [[Nishi Hongan-ji]].
[[1867]] shortly after Shinsengumi were officialy hired as [[Bakushin]],
In [[1867]], shortly after the Shinsengumi were officially appointed shogunate retainers (and no longer ronin), Ito Kashitarô's group were separated and formed the [[Goryo Eji]]. They were then killed in the [[Incident at Aburano Koji]].
Ito Kashitarô's group were separated and formed the [[Goryo Eji]].
They were assassinated. ([[Incident at Aburano Koji]])
==Boshin War==
==Boshin War==
''(See [[Boshin War]])''
''(See [[Boshin War]])''
In January [[1868]], the [[Boshin War]] began with
In January [[1868]], the [[Boshin War]] began with the [[Battle of Toba-Fushimi]]. The Shinsengumi lost almost one hundred members, including [[Inoue Genzaburo|Inoue Genzaburô]] and [[Yamazaki Susumu]]. The Shinsengumi and other Bakufu troops fled to Edo with the battleship [[Fujisan Maru]]. After this, the Shinsengumi was reorganized into the [[Koyo Chinbutai]].
the [[Battle of Toba-Fushimi]]. The Shinsengumi lost almost 100 members, including [[Inoue Genzaburo|Inoue Genzaburô]] and [[Yamazaki Susumu]].
The Shinsengumi and other Bakufu troops fled to Edo with the battleship [[Fujisan Maru]]. After this, the Shinsengumi was reorganized into the [[Koyo Chinbutai]].
The Koyo Chinbutai intended to take over [[Kofu castle]], but lost the [[Battle of Koshu-Katsunuma]].
The Koyo Chinbutai intended to take over [[Kofu castle]], but lost the [[Battle of Koshu-Katsunuma]].
When they returned to Edo, [[Nagakura Shinpachi]] and [[Harada Sanosuke]]
When they returned to Edo, [[Nagakura Shinpachi]] and [[Harada Sanosuke]] left the Koyo Chinbutai and formed the [[Seikyotai]].
left the Koyo Chinbutai and formed the [[Seikyotai]].
Kondo was captured in Nagareyama three weeks later and executed at [[Itabashi]]. Harada died from injuries received during the [[Battle of Ueno]]. Two weeks later, Okita Sôji died of what is thought to be Tuberculosis.
Kondo was captured in Nagareyama three weeks later and executed at [[Itabashi]]. Harada died from injuries received during the [[Battle of Ueno]]. Two weeks later, Okita Sôji died of what is thought to be Tuberculosis.
[[Hijikata Toshizo|Hijikata Toshizô]] was wounded at the [[Battle of Utsunomiya castle]], and Saitô Hajime then became the commander of the Aizu Shinsengumi during the [[Battle of Aizu]], and decided to remain with the Aizu samurai when Hijikata decided to go to Hakodate.
[[Hijikata Toshizo|Hijikata Toshizô]] was wounded at the [[Battle of Utsunomiya castle]], and Saitô Hajime then became the commander of the Aizu Shinsengumi during the [[Battle of Aizu]], and decided to remain with the Aizu samurai when Hijikata decided to go to Hakodate.