When you think about it within the historical context of our species, it's a crime against humanity that a tribe, or group, was elevated, then summarily executed. Like consider the perspective from an alien species watching that happen. You would be utterly befuddled and confused, and probably ultimately saddened and frustrated that these people would be killed for nothing. They couldn't have been bought out, or restructured into the Meiji security force? It's astounding how it all ended like "okay different government now you're bad guys"
It is kind of like watching movies in America about cowboys. These people were not the heroic people they are portrayed in entertainment. I still enjoy Shisengumi in fiction, but it is important to know the real, historical facts.
Fun fact: Hajime Saito taught his sons how to use a Katana and actually used to ambush them with a Shinai to beat them with as a means of trying to teach them to never be caught off guard. This happened so frequently that one of the sons recalled that one of the years involved with this was "unbearable". Saito was often quoted whenever he yelled at them “Shidou fukakugo!” (Unprepared for the way of a man!)
The "post-video" bit was easily my favourite part of the video, because of the way you explain stuff when it's unscripted - your interest in the subject matter really shines through and it feels more like talking to a knowledgeable friend, as opposed to listening to a lecture from a professor
Not shocked exactly but I now understand some things from the pop culture versions of shinsengumi a little better. I did find Hijikata's bad poetry quite amusing though.
I always like how they are always portrayed like a group of badass people. But their history tends to be forgotten or perhaps removed in purpose just like how Disney altered their fairy tales adaptation because their original stories were too brutal. However, still I like that in Gintama, Hijikata's narcissism is changed to obsession of mayonnaise.
"I'm sorry for destroying your image of Shinsengumi" Gintama: Finally, a worthy opponent... Honestly though, Gintama was pretty accurate about Shinsengumi for being the kind of anime it is. I used to think pretty highly of them watching and playing all those shoujo anime and otome games but Gintama left such an impression that I can't imagine them in any other way XD
I knew a lot of this because the game called HAKUOKI, it's about romance but without romance, there is just their history! I went to a museum in Kyoto, they have a lot of merchandise aaaaaaaaaand i bought a notebook with japanese letters, maybe is Hijikata's poems xD haha
@@Clarexaizabela ikr 🤣 i saw another Shinsengumi video on this RU-vid channel and he explain everything about them, and then i understand the time they were active. Hakuoki is pretty similar of course but with romance 🤣
@@lilifrankens And if you unluckily happen to not find ANY romance route on your first playthrough and reject the demons, you get to see pretty much the entire history of the Shinsengumi unfold and their collapse.
I played Hakuouki as well. My favourite was Toudou Heisuke. The game made me look up the things that happened in history of the Shinsengumi. I love learning about Japanese history but sometimes we need that little push
@@naylisyazwina6836 it’s a great game! Not just for the love between the boys and Chizuru, but it really based in the Shinsengumi history and every character has what the story says about them (not everything of course haha) i love when people talks about Shinsengumi ☺️
This explains "that" episode in Gintama. Where in Kondo, Toshi, Sogo and Katsura got insulted that they are not "Original" characters on Gintama. Where in they are based to these real life people. Now explain that some of Gintama's episode were ACTUALLY based in real life. Wow, Hideaki.
A lot of character based on a real life character. Shinpachi is actually planned to be a shinsegumi too, Cause his real life counterpart is also a shinsegumi, and he's at the same ranks as Okita. even the traitor in shinsegumi is also based on the actual Shinsegumi traitor in real life. If you look up on the wiki, you'll see that most of the character is based on real life historical character.
@@sammiecchana I believe Gin, Tsukuyo and Kagura are the only characters based on mythical figures, not historical. Gin's partial inspiration is Kintoki or Kintaro, a hero from Japanese folk tale. Tsukuyo's inspiration was the moon Goddess Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto. Kagura's inspiration was princess Kaguya of the moon.
However, if you have watched Gintama properly, you will see that his explanation is actually expressed to some extent in the work. Kondo was not popular because he was ugly compared to Hijikata, and you can clearly see that Hijikata is unusually strict with the rules. Ito Kashitaro comes across as a traitor.
Yeah, Gintama was actually surprisingly precise in depicting the characters of Shinsengumi. Another reason for Gintama to remain one of the best anime ever.
Like a lot of characters, Yamazaki was also a spy in real shinsengumi. Saito was said to be introvert. Also, there was an episode about shinsengumi's dirty quarters.
I'm surprised at how accurate Hakuouki was with the historical facts. But then again during the Shinsengumi Matsuri in Hino they did put up posters and banners of the Hakuouki version of Hijikata. I went there in 2015 and visited the Hijikata Museum to see his sword Izuminokami Kanesada (shout out to Touken Ranbu for teaching me sword names). The festival is very fun, I recommend it for everyone if you're in the area :D
I've played some otome games based on them like Hakuoki and The Amazing Shinengumi: Heroes in Love. It's interesting learning about the differences between the real people and the romanticized version
Thanks to Gintama I kinda knew most of this facts. When you said that their headquarters were super dirty I immediately remembered the Shinsengumi Bathroom episode, super funny but left me traumatized 😅 So far the most shocking is number 5 because I clearly remember how freaking smooth Hijikata was writing that love letter to Shinpachi's pen pal girl hahha Clearly lots of us has kinda close accurate-but-not-really knowledge of the Shinsengumi because of Gintama 😅 it's so nice! It got me interested in the real historical figures, I really enjoyed this video!
I recently finished playing Bakumatsu Renka Shinsengumi {An otome visual novel about the Shinsengumi.}. So it was interesting to compare this to the game. It seems like it way more accurate than I expected in some areas. I didn't think the side story where Hijikata decides to send the love letters to his hometown in the story was accurate and was made up in the game. I do appreciate the game more after learning more.
They were portrayed fine Fate series except that Okita's genderbent. So the video doesn't really surprised. I mostly remember them being branded as "rebels" probably because of being against the new government for the Western. And Hijikata being a berserker fits well
@@pauloazuela8488 just like Mori Ranmaru and Ushiwakamaru, if i remember right representing Okita Souji as an boyish woman or even an really handsome young man isnt something new. I like the mechanic of her being the only woman at the Shinsengumi, though.
@@Cra-b In the history if I remember Ushi was somehow of a pretty boy. I guess that's enough motivation to genderbent him 🤣. I ain't complaining with any genderbent though. Well clearly Shogo know about anime and he probably knew Fate series was popular there.
I liked the long story. Feel free to make more "off the cuff" content that might not necessarily be as structured and organized as the main videos if you'd like. 😊
I love your videos about Shinsengumi! I hope you could do more videos about the bakumatsu period talking about important and interesting people like Shinsaku Takasugi, Katsura Kogoro, Yoshida Toyo, Yoshida Shoin, Kusaka Genzui, Takechi Hanpeita, Okada Izo, Kawakami Gensai, Tanaka Shinbei, Nakamura Hanjiro, Ookubo Toshimichi and Saigo Takamori. 😉👍🏻❤
I love all of your videos but I'm always doubly thrilled to see a Shinsengumi one pop up! As soon as you started off with that absolutely hilarious Hijikata poem, one of my favorites of his, I knew this would be a great one. Thanks for sharing all of the little anecdotal info about Shinsengumi that rarely ever makes it to Western audiences!
WOW! That was truly informative and leaves much to the imagination and research. Have ordered a book on “Samurais in Edo period” and I’m looking forward to reading further in the matter.
the facts that you mentioned actually made shinsengumi sound more interesting to me, i can imagne the various points you made been showned in an anime to make it seem as serious or as funny of a situation
Whelp, it didn’t surprise me too much on these facts for the shinsengumi, the uncleanliness of the shinsengumi doesn’t surprise me given some had thought Okita Souji had gotten I’ll and died due to tuberculosis, as for Hijikata Toshizo being narcissistic doesn’t surprise me either. In the fate series, Hijikata is depicted as a strict individual, and in combat in the fate series, during his special attack, he declares that he is the shinsengumi…
Tuberculosis is spread by coughing and sneezing, the small droplets in the air. It's got nothing to do with being unclean. 'Rona droplets spread the same way. The droplets stay in airborne even if you use something to cover up the sneezing and coughing.
I'm playing Like a Dragon: Ishin! (Ryu Ga Gotoku Ishin! Kiwami in japan) right now which is based on the Bakamatsu period with the Shinsengumi. I like that you're talking about the real history of the Shinsengumi.
If you want to know more, Romulus Hillsborough's Shinsengumi: The Shogun's Last Samurai Corps is a definitive English language book (along with Samurai Revolution) on the exploits of the Shinsengumi from its formation until Hijikata's death during the Battle of Hakodate.
Can't ever dislike Shinsengumi, I have a thing for tragic heroes. And I'm happy now after learn about Yamanami Keisuke for the first time. Thank you for making such interesting videos!
This is a fantastic video on the topic of one of my favorite organizations in history. Events and people in history never are as glorious in reality compared to their popular image, but I find that it makes them no less fascinating. On reading Romulus Hillsborough’s book on the Shinsengumi, one thing is certain… their reputation as the skilled swordsman we see in anime and film was well earned. For that, they have my utmost respect and curiosity. Bonus points to Shogo for mentioning Hijikata and the love letters, arguably one of the silliest facts I’ve heard on the subject.
Hi, was looking for infomation on Hijikata Toshizo when I found your video. Quite infomative. I love this part ( 8:11 ) where the blade came from the right but the cut is from the left; that's when I noticed it's already pre-cut. 🤣🤣🤣
Shinsengumi for me is a lesson of loyalty,it doesn't always repay, but it is always noble to have one. I have been a big fan of Japan in this era, once I went to Hakodate and went to museum where hijikata spent his last days in the struggle of Republic Ezo. This narcissistic handsome demon, I still love him whenever I read about his story.
Thank you so much for the explanation on Yamanami's death at the end of the video ! This kind of ancdote are difficult to find but they are the most exciting. Thanks again !
I work in Hino, right next to Tachikawa, western Tokyo, and the streets and stations are currently festooned with promotional material for an upcoming memorial festival.
I'm sorry for asking this out of nowhere but is tenka goken a uchi katana or tachi? Or each of the swords are different type? Please I really need to know this
Shogo, thank you very much for this video! The fact that people got sick for the lack of sanitary care impressed me the most. I'm also a Gintama fan, so all this information is very interesting.
Can't wait to learn new info on shinsengumis and thank you for educating us on this personally I'm in love with japanese culture hence why I am planning on moving to Japan when I'm done with university so I can study more and respect and appreciate the japanese culture
In a book i am writing, it has the Shinsengumi as an recurring apparition,and i can't thank you enough for showing more info about an group that i like to search about very much
I always found it ironic that most of the Shinsengumi where lower rank and fighting for the side who wants to dominite the lower rank and keep them there unlike the Kihetai. if the shogunate would have won then farmers like the Toyota and others would have never established companies and made Japan what it is today.
I became interested in the Shinsengumi around 2004, when the Japanese annual Taiga drama featured the Shinsengumi. Even though it would be so cool to think about peering into history during this time, I’d want nothing to do with all the violence and chaos of the time 😅
Hijikata Toshizo is the reason why the Nabeshima clan don't do any artistic stuff. And for that matter, neither did the Genji and their men but then Atsumori haunted them or something.
I learned of the Shinsengumi through a game series called The Last Blade. It featured 2 characters named Keiichiro Washizuka and Kojiro Sanada who were members of the group.
Like many, I sought out this video as a fan of Hakuoki and frankly this only made the game/anime more enjoyable. I'm surprised how much the content had gotten historically correct, even remembering that Nagakura Shinpachi and Saito Hajime survived and went on to live into old age- but they also make the romances plausible with each member going into hiding or faking deaths thus "dying" in history. Very clever
Thanks for doing another one for the Shinsengumi. They are a group I have been interested in since the early 2000s and I agree with a lot of what you said. I like watching your channel for Japanese culture and you do very well.
As others have pointed, the Hakuouki games have been pretty accurate in this sense. Though, due to stuff that happens in the story, Yamanami Keisuke's fate is different, it is still presented in a way doesn't contradict history. Wasn't Takeda Kanryusai also killed for conspiring and trying to leave the Shinsengumi? @Let's ask Shogo, I think you might enjoy the Hakuouki story, even if it an otome game.
I became interested in Shinsengumi after watching the NHK drama Shinsengumi it was very interesting. I love reading about shinsengumi. Thank you for the video.
Thank you Shogo for your amazing content! As someone who has loved Japan and Japanese culture since a young age and before discovering Anime I truly appreciate your channel as it is the most informative channel for all things Japan. I always refer my friends to your channel whenever they inform/ quote something they hear from Anime and or Manga. I do have one question though,.. Is that Haohmaru's theme playing at the end of the video before Shogo's notes?!
in the Hakuouki anime, most of these facts are portraited like the conditions of the quarters, the disagreement between Hijikata and Yamanami, the active years of shinsengumi and the book of poems of Hijikata. great video Shogo.
I first heard of Izou in Chaos Wars. He had one of the most comically unfitting english dub voices in a game full of them by sounding oddly quiet whenever his poses indicated he was screaming his lungs out.
splended job sir thanks for the content i literally asked for maybe a few weeks ago appreciate it. its really awesome to learn the actual history of this time and age.
I never really watch Gintama series of all time when I was little but after watching this, I remember an otome game I played a very long time ago. Shinsengumi was introduced, Ginnojo, ayakashi of Mizuchi dragon and also the member. There's also another one but different. Senkitai was the name of it. The leader name is Kagemaru, he's an Jorogumo and a geisha in disguise. If anyone is interested, the title is Ayakashi Romance Reborn. I'm just dropping this cause it's an underrated otome game. The characters were likeable, the game system was not really repetitive unless you're obsessed and it's great for reviewing back the old events. Though there would be countless unnecessary mini games, but it's still fun
