Some have asked in the past about the importance of thorough, broad research
into all of the Bakumatsu, and how it feels sometimes as though a dedicated
Shinsengumi fan may lose sight of the "objective"-- learning more about
Shinsengumi. I thoroughly sympathize with this feeling, being a researcher
and trying my best to constantly learn more about the Bakumatsu, though I am
at heart a fan of the Shinsengumi, which is what sparked my interest in the
period to begin with.
As an example of how the people and events of this period are so thoroughly
connected, I'd like to share with you an anecdote from the life of Ando
Tozaburo, a young Aizu samurai who was one of the famed Byakkotai members
who died in the latter part of the Boshin War, on Mt. Iimori in the fall of
1868.
The young Tozaburo was manning a barrier gate in the early parts of the
siege, before the Aizu forces were pushed back to Wakamatsu. He was
ostensibly on the lookout for any suspicious people approaching, when along
rode a man on horseback. This man on horseback did not stop for him, so
Tozaburo turned and shouted "Wait! Stop!" and fired a warning shot over the
man's head. The rider turned and rode back a bit, at which point he
introduced himself to the Tozaburo-- it was none other than Hijikata Toshizo
of the Shinsengumi. Apologizing for his indiscretion to the young man,
Hijikata turned and rode on.
(See
http://www2.plala.or.jp/shyall/retuden/byakotai.htm for Tozaburo's
biography, as well as those of his comrades)
For those who want to see more of the Byakkotai, please visit
http://www.byakkotai.net and keep your eyes open for the new Byakkotai
mini-series that is due out in January of next year.
Thank you,
-M.
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