SHINSENGUMI'S MODERN INFLUENCE IN JAPANESE MEDIA AND SOCIETY TODAY

Before I move into the information relevant to the topic of this essay, I will touch quickly on the influence of the Samurai Code of Bushido in the Shinsengumis own code or rule set. As we should mention with any good topic on the Samurai Code, the main topics of the code include (in no particular order) Rectitude ( gi), Courage ( yuu), Benevolence ( jin), Respect ( rei) , Honesty ( makoto or, shin) , Honor ( yo) , Loyalty ( chuu) , along with associated virtues of; Filial piety ( k?), Wisdom ( chi?), Care for the aged ( tei?). There are many sources of documents for such information, and those are merely only a guide to what the code actually entails. The Bushido is a way of life of course for those that are lucky enough to hold the title of Samurai, and these codes were a mere basis for what was to come for the Mibu Ronin who eventually came to be the Shinsengumi. With their troop flag proudly showing the Japanese Kanji Makoto which can be translated into various forms such as Loyalty, Honesty and Sinecerity; the Shinsengumi devised a set of rules or code to keep strict tabs on the group as a whole entity. Rules that may seem harsh to a modern day person, but in a sense most of them would translate into modern society with a bit of a tweak. These rules of course can be seen in action as we progress through the lines of media and other formats that the Shinsengumi have been represented in. In this particular example, code deviation consequences were shown in (Shinsengumi!) NHKs 43rd Taiga Drama. In particular an episode where we learn of Yamanami Keisukes betrayal, the rules set forth by the Shinsengumi [Rules that were believed to have been written by Hijikata Toshizou, although no significant proof has been shown.) meant that Yamanami was set for Seppuku [Ritualistic Suicide, although assisted unlike Harakiri].

Though that was apparent in a form of media, the same event was actually true to historical fact. Yamanami Keisuke, indeed betratyed the Shisnengumi, and was forced to pay the price for his wrong doing. This was much true with many other forms of Samurai society, although most apparent with the Shinsengumi. Officially the Shinsengumi name didnt come around until 1863, a name given to them by Matsudaira Katamori. Once known as the Wolves of Mibu as well as Mibu Ronin, since they were known to have been residing in the small section of Mibu. The Shinsengumi were originally devised as a special police force serving around Kyoto during the latter part of the Bakumatsu. Previous to the call to become Vassals of the Tokugawa Shogunate, they were a small group devised in two sections. One section was headed up by Serizawa Kamo whom historically was from a Goshi rank Samurai family educated in the Sonno Joi ideals, and another by Kondou Isami the adopted son of Kondou Shuusuke, both of them served for the same reason. Yet, with knowledge and power comes great responsibility as is shown in (Shinsengumi!) NHKs 43rd Taiga Drama (and Spiderman, but thats another culture entireley.). Although fairly small still, the Mibu Roshigumi were slowly becoming known around Kyoto. In this though, proof that this present responsibility could be wildly abused, was becoming fast apparent within this. Serizama Kamo was the Wild Duck and caused a lot of trouble between his men and Kondo Isamis men. This lead to the ideals that Serizawa and Niimi Nishiki broke the codes of the Shinsengumi. Due to that, Niimi Nishiki was forced to commit seppuku and Serizawa Kamo was assasinated. While those are just a couple of examples of cultural media aspects that show what the Shinsengumi are like, as well as being a small historical introduction; there are a few more examples that we can examine further.

An interesting choice to show influence to the Shogunate, is the highly fictional Gin Tama by Hideaki Sorachi. Set in similar timing, and in no way excusing its reference to history and society in the 19th century, it replaces the literal shogunate with an alien race that now

governs the whole of Japan. Instead of horses, foot soldiers and the occasional older style gun set, you see AK-47s, televisions and Okita Sougos unhindered ability to attempt to blow Hijikata Toshiro to smithreens for lack of academic wording.

Along with several events that are re-formed in a modern sense, Gin Tama shows the literal sense of being a Special Police Force in a technology abled society. While some names are changed around, and some characters are well more fictional than previous historical personalities, the theory of the Bakumatsu or Tokugawa Shogunates power at the time is still true. Constantly trying to catch up with Katsura (Otherwise known as Kido Takayoshi ( , Kido Kouin or Katsura Kogoro), not known as Dzura, the Shinsengumi were not a force to be reckoned with. Many of the episodes while fictional coincide with the influence that the Shinsengumi had on society at that time.

But the truth in spherical influence to the Tokugawa Shogunates final reign in the land of the Rising Sun, rests within the popular Manga and Anime adaptation Shinsengumi Imon Peacemaker also known as Peacemaker Kurogane. One of very few Japanese media formats that show someone of the younger ranks inside their troops, Peacemaker takes a short but slow approach to telling the historical tale. It starts out with a very graphic representation of memory recollection, with flames engulfing figures of life and society. You later learn that these memories are of Ichimura Tetsunosuke, the young man who later becomes the page of Hijikata Toshizou. With their influence being mirrored within another anime that does not include Ichimura Tetsunosuke, but yet closely follows in Hakuouki Shinsengumi Kitan with similar storylines that show the Ikedaya Affair, Yamanamis betrayal and other historical events.