Analysis: Shinsengumi: The Shogun's Last Samurai Corps
The book details the history of the Samurai. It is the historical retelling of 1864 stories when Ronin Samurai saved the capital, Kyoto and helped in preventing assassinations. The book was written by Hillsborough Romulus, and he made use of the rare primary sources. The book describes more about the chaotic period that characterized the end of Tokugawa era. In their last and desperate efforts to extend their grip on power, they created a unique group of Samurai corps that helped them fight back the rebel groups, rebel Shishi Samurai. The book places much focus on Shinsengumi, a term that means newly selected corps. These men have continued to become a section of Japanese history due to their determination, undying faith to fulfilling the regime’s course and ruthlessness. The book makes use of marvelous primary documentation and every part of the information is supported by brief hence, making it a true retelling of the Shinsengumi narrative. The book is, however, plagued with weak narration and flowing write up. The book falls short of being a thesis or retelling; it tries to be both. The information contained in the book is truthful, interesting and worth reading for people interested in Japanese history. It is a good book for people who are introduced to Shinsengumi for the first time. The book is the one to have been written in English on Shinsengumi, and it places much attention on Kondo Isami and Hijikata Toshizo, the two impeccable swordsmen and charismatic leaders of the regime.
The Shinsengumi, the shogun’s last Samurai Corps, explains, a real story of feared samurai corps that was established in the year1863 to kill or to arrest all the opponents and foes of Tokugawa Shogun. The book is the only one written in English language about Shinsengumi. The story places much focus on two influential leaders of the corps Hijikata Toshizo and Kondo Isami; they were both considered to be impeccable swordsmen. The book is a brief history of the Bakafu’s final years until its downfall in 1867 with a re-establishment of imperial rule. In writing the book, the author Hillsborough made reference to primary sources of Japanese language such as journals, interviews, memoirs, letters and eyewitness accounts and also definitive histories and biographies of people of that time.
The collapse of Shoguns government of Bakufu in the year 1868 after ruling japan for more than two and was considered as the greatest in the history of modern Japan. The fall of the government was as a result of Meiji revolution. Meiji revolution started with a fierce reaction by the Samurai’s to the decision of Bakufu in 1864 to order to the country that was, hitherto, isolated to the barbarians from western. Though the opening the isolated country was inevitable, it was considered as a weakness by the Samurai who was determined to weed out the barbarians. The Samurai had wanted to remove the Shogun from power and to bring the holy emperor into power. To realize this, they screamed heavens revenge and wielded weapons wanting to avenge against those who were considered faithful to shogun and the regime. They began unleashing series of terrorist activities during the time of the revolution; this was characterized by assassination and murders of the opponents of the regime. When the year 1862 was drawing to an end, the renegades of Samurai, referred as the Ronin had converted the capital and the streets to the pool of blood. The administrators of the Shogun were very desperate to curb terror and hence they formed expert swordsmen that were named Shinsengumi. The force was commissioned to wipe out Ronin and the all the enemies of Bakufu government. With uncontrolled brutality that was strengthened by their official permission to kill, making the Shinsengumi the most feared security tools of the regime. In the historical description of Shinsengumi, the only literature written in English language, Hillsborough provides a thrilling and provocative picture of one of the most lively and fascinating history of Japan.
The Meiji revolution was considered as a historical moment, and it had many impacts on Japan. The two sides during this period were fighting for a noteworthy and a noble course. The center of the battles was the streets of Kyoto and the incumbent regime, the Shogunate had what was considered one of the most feared security forces called the Shinsengumi. The narrative on the rise and fall of the Samurai police force is a well-documented and written one. The book is clear and very easy to follow and understand, making it a must read book for people interested in the Japanese history of Samurai.
Shinsengumi is a true story of two-sworded ruthless groups that were assembled by Tokugawa Shogunate to wade off rebellion against the regime. The book covers the period between 1863 and 1868 and it mostly deals with basic events that happened at that time in Kyoto. These are considered the key years of Shinsengumi. Their time in Kyoto is considered very instrumental, and it is where they make an impact for themselves because they started falling when they left Kyoto. The book contains an epilogue of what happens after Kondo Isami died.
The book is written in a style typical of a historical fiction; he uses various available Japanese literatures to craft a biography of Shinsengumi. The author paints a picture of Shinsengumi using his typical writing style. He repeats some words and phrases to describe how he feels about certain people and events. The book serves to project a certain viewpoint of Shinsengumi.
The Shinsengumi was a dreaded Kyoto police force. They kept the people and the locals in line and kept watching for any threat directed at the regime, Shogunate. As opposed to the regular police, the Shinsengumi has limited powers in the city but their word was enough to carry out arrest, conviction and execution. They could provoke murder and violence and also they could destroy all the enemies of Tokugawa; they fought tooth and nail to help maintain Shoguns grip on power even during the time when Tokugawa Yoshinobu, abdicated the control of the nation to Meiji.
The Shinsengumi was considered a patriotic force, though on the wrong side of history, were trying to keep the virtues and dreams of their forefathers, and they tried to prevent the nation they loved from irreparably changing or falling apart. From the perspective of the author, the Shinsengumi suffered delusion with the germ of self-importance, and they were determined to react to any threats to the regime using their swords. They could not see the side of history unfolding in the country. They were considered as bullies, thugs and relics of the regime but were enviable.
Work Cited
Hillsborough, Romulus. The Shogun's Most Dreaded Samurai Cops: The Bloody Legacy of the Shinsengumi. Boston, Mass: Tuttle, 2005. Print.
