Just got this in one of the other groups I'm in. It's got some details we
NEED to investigate. This practically turns everything on its head...
--M.
--------
>From: "Marwin Tristan" <marwintristan@...>
>Reply-To: kagetai@yahoogroups.com
>To: kagetai@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [kagetai] thought you should all know
>Date: Mon, 11 Oct 2004 07:40:34 -0000
>
>
>Being a fan of the Rurouni Kenshin series, i tried to acquire the
>hostorical background of the series. While I found out some
>interesting bits of info such as the real Saito and Yamagata and
>even Katsura, the others were depressing (no Kenshin!). a friend
>even helped me pst my requests for info but all I got were more of
>the same.
>
>That is, until someone mailed me the info I was looking for. No
>matter how much I wrote back, he/she never answered. Here is the
>summary of what he/she sent me:
>
>Hitokiri Batt�-sai - the legendary warrior of Choshu did exist. His
>name and true identity was unknown even today except for the fact
>that he was called THE Batt�-sai (yep, that's how the sender said it
>should be spelled). He was one of the best warriors unfortunately he
>did not reach the customary cult status since no one even knew where
>he was buried. There are a few rumors here and there butno
>substantial proof. He started as an assassin but became a warrior
>after the death of his wife (whom he did not accidentaly kill but
>rather died of other circumstances). He became one of the bodyguards
>of Kido Tadayoshi known then as Katsura Kogoro. He was never
>defeated but he was also not much known probably because of the fact
>that only Katsura knew his real identity. After Meiji took over the
>government, he offered his sword in a shrine (unnamed) to a person
>who gave him another sword in return: the Shin Uchi (Sakabatou were
>pretty much in use as an alternative weapon but Batt�-sai used it as
>self-defense. Arai Shatku was rumored to be that person but it is
>also unconfirmed. We all knew Kawakami Gensai was caught and
>executed but we do not know why. Batt�-sai was the reason he fell
>(unfortunately again, the sender did not tell me how Batt�-sai
>helped). Another note, after the edict forbidding the wearing of
>swords Batt�-sai carried his in a sort of bag the way Yahiko does in
>Seisouhen. That way, he both did not break the law, and did not
>provoke the government soldiers. He settled down and faded into
>anonymity.
>
>Makoto Shishio - here's the case: Watsuki said that Himura's real
>life model was Kawakami Gensai. Correction, Kawakami Gensai is more
>like Makoto Shishio in the story. They were both isolationists, they
>were both unbeaten assassins from Choshu, they were both executed
>after the restoration and they fight pretty much the same way.
>Makoto Shishio was not and never will be Batt�-sai's successor. For
>one, there are not only one Hitokiri or assassin of Choshu, there
>are literally dozens of them. Kawakami Gensai was using Furanui
>style Ken-jutsu and not Batt�-juttsu.
>
>Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu - was a style of Kenjuttsu that originated ryt
>after the Battle of Sekigahara. Batt�-sai was reportedly the last
>master. The style persists but goes by another name today. The style
>was not pure anymore and Hiko of the OVA was telling the truth when
>he said that Mitsurugi Ryu ends with him although in real life, it
>was Batt�-sai who said those words.
>
>The Kagetai - while I doubt that it was Hajime Saito really formed
>an assassination/espionage group, towards the end of the
>Shinsengumi's life, Hijikata's tactics became dirtier, resorting to
>assassinations and bribery and even threats. The group was formed in
>order to accomplish certain missions that were not approved by the
>powers that be (Kondou or Matsudaira or whoever else). They were a
>band of mercenaries and/or ronin. And they never exceeded 20. Their
>actual name is unkown.
>
>That's it. And while there are other info included, I think these
>are the things others may be interested, whether you believe them or
>not. I am also interested on info about Bakufu Hitokiri. I am
>writing a book about Batt�-sai based on what I found out. And maybe
>I can borrow some characters from your wonderful group. Thanks.
>
>
>
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