Translation p. 218

“Temple Sooji-ji where Hajime Saitoo (Denpachi Ichinose) was on his best behavior”

(Address: 1-7-22 Tera-machi, Jooetsu-shi, Niigata-pre)

 

You can see Sooji-temple opposite to the city assembly hall at 1-7-22 Teramachi if you get off at Takada station on the main line between Nagano and Niigata, take a way toward south, and turn to right at a T corner. 

 

After Boshin-war[1], samurais of the old Aizu[2] Clan who fought against Meiji government outside of Aizu-wakamatsu castle were on their best behaviors at Tera-machi of Takada.  According to (1)Takada Omote On-azukari Hitobito Betsu in (2) Takada Kinshinchuu Zakki that lists people who were put them on their best behaviors, Hajime Saitoo is recorded as Denpachi Ichinose among Suzaku[3] menbers who were accommodated in Temple Sooji-ji.   According to (3) Aihan Hokuetsu Takada Kinshinnin Mei, (4) Echigo Takada Tsume Myoosai Yuujin Choo, and (5) Aizu-han Takada Yuushuu Meibo, while he was on his best behaviors, he is recorded as his false name, Denpachi Ichinose again.

 

It is confirmed by the list that puts the names of people who immigrated to Tonan in 1869, that Hajime Saitoo used the name, Goroo Fujita when he moved to Tonan.  He moved to Goko after he changed his name from Denpachi Ichinose to Goroo Fujita, and became a Tonan citizen.

 

Literal Translation of books

(1)   Takada Omote On-azukari Hitobito Betsu

People who were kept at Takada

(2)   Takada Kinshinchuu Zakki

A note book of record while being on his best behaviors at Takada

(3)   Aihan Hokuetsu Takada Kinshinnin Mei

Names of whom were on their best behaviors at Takada in North Niigata of the Aizu Clan

(4)   Echigo Takada Tsume Myoosai Yuujin Choo

A detailed record of people who were kept at Takada in Echigo[4]

(5)   Aizu-han Takada Yuushuu Meibo

A list of people who were on their best behaviors at Takada of the Aizu Clan.



[1] The war between Meiji government and old Edo Bakuhu (shogunate) in 1868-1869.

[2] It is in Fukushima prefecture today.

[3] Suzaku is a name of a party who fought against Meiji government at the Boshin war.

[4] It is an old name of Niigata prefecture.