Okita was considered to be (indirectly) Kondou Shuske's "adopted son" (because Okita's
older sister Mitsu was an adopted daughter of Shuuske in name.)
However, since Okita was the heir and the only son of the Okita Family, Kondo Shuske
wasn't able to (formally) adopt him even though Okita was raised by both the Okita family
and the Kondo family.
Therefore, Kondou Isami would NOT have adopted Okita but he DID name Okita to be the
fifth master of the Tennen Rishin Ryu after him in 1865.
--- In SHQ@yahoogroups.com, "Hirotada Tokugawa" wrote:
>
> Thought I'd do my part to outline what I've figured out as far as family and
> regional ties until now:
>
> Kondou Isami-- originally from the same region as Hijikata (Kamiishihara
> village, in Tama). Apparently *would have* adopted Okita as his successor,
> though this never happened and I'm not even sure about the truth of that
> statement.
>
> Hijikata Toshizo-- originally from the same region as Kondo (Ishida village,
> in Tama)
>
> Okita Souji-- brother in law Rintaro (adopted into Okita house) was
> originally from the Inoue family-- same Inoue as the 2 brothers
> Genzaburo/Matsugoro
>
> Inoue Genzaburo-- Brother of Inoue Matsugoro (never in Shinsengumi, but
> related). Uncle of Inoue Taisuke (Kondou's page). Related to Inoue (Okita)
> Rintaro.
>
> Tani bros (Mantaro, Sanjuro, Shuuhei/Masatake)-- Taught yari (spear) to
> Harada Sanosuke. Masatake was adopted by Kondou Isami and became Kondou
> Shuuhei.
>
> ---
>
> That's all I can think of at the moment. Just wanted to do a little bit of
> my part for the time being over here. ^^
>
> At any rate, as we can see, many of these people already knew each other or
> were related to each other waaaaaay before the Kyoto years.
>
> -M.
>