Kondo Isami, a highly skilled swordsman and the Commander of the Shinsengumi, was born in Kami-Ishihara, a quaint farming village in Chofu, western Tokyo, under the name Miyagawa Katsugoro. His journey into the samurai caste began when Kondo Shusuke adopted him. The catalyst for this adoption was Kondo's valiant defense of his family home at the age of 13 against a band of robbers.
Demonstrating exceptional swordsmanship, Kondo became the fourth master of the Tennen Rishin-Ryu in 1861. Subsequently, in 1863, the Tokugawa Shogunate enlisted 234 ronin as bodyguards for Shogun Iemochi. Kondo and his associates, initially part of the Roshigumi, served as police under the Tokugawa in Kyoto. This group eventually evolved into the notorious Shinsengumi, credited with uncovering and suppressing a potential rebellion in the Ikedaya Incident.
While celebrated as courageous heroes, Kondo and the Shinsengumi gained notoriety for their ruthless tactics, often eliminating perceived opponents to advance their agenda. Internal strife and assassinations within the group further tarnished their reputation. Notably, Kondo Isami was implicated in the assassination of statesman Sakamoto Ryoma.
The downfall of the Tokugawa Shogunate led to the Boshin War during which the Shinsengumi, including Kondo, participated in the Battle of Toba-Fushimi. Kondo sustained injuries from gunfire in this conflict and also fought in the Battle of Koshu-Katsunuma before surrendering to Imperial forces.
Following his capture, Kondo spent 20 days in jail in Itabashi, Tokyo, before facing execution at the Itabashi grounds on May 17, 1868. His grave and memorial stone stand as testaments to his legacy. Kondo Isami, at the age of 33, was laid to rest at Ryugen-ji Temple in Tokyo's Mitaka, while his severed head, initially displayed publicly, was later stolen and discreetly interred in a small mound behind Hozo-ji, an ancient temple in Okazaki, Aichi Prefecture.
See also
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Shimazu Toyohisa
Shimazu Toyohisa (July 1570 – October 21, 1600), also known as Shimazu Tadatoyo, was a samurai of the Shimazu clan and the son of Shimazu Iehisa. He was the nephew of Shimazu Yoshihiro and held command over Sadowara Castle. Known for his valor, Toyohisa participated in numerous key battles of the late Sengoku period, earning recognition for his bravery and tactical acumen.
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Ikeda Terumasa
Ikeda Terumasa (January 31, 1565 – March 16, 1613) was a Japanese daimyo of the early Edo period, recognized by his court title, "Musashi no Kami," and known as the "Shogun of Western Japan." Terumasa, a distinguished military leader, participated in numerous significant battles during the late Azuchi-Momoyama period. His service at the Battle of Sekigahara earned him control over the Himeji domain. Originally named Araokojimaru, he was the son of Ikeda Tsuneoki and the brother of Ikeda Sen. He later became the heir to Ikeda Nobuteru and held Ikejiri Castle in Mino Province.
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Mori Tadamasa
Mori Tadamasa (1570 - July 31, 1634) was a notable military commander during Japan’s Warring States period and an early Edo-period daimyo. Initially, he governed Kawanakajima Domain in Shinano Province (modern-day Nagano Prefecture) and later became the first lord of Tsuyama Domain in Mimasaka Province (now northern Okayama Prefecture). He founded the Mori family line of the Ako Domain. Tadamasa’s family origins trace back to the Genji (Minamoto) clan, specifically the Kawachi-Genji branch from Kawachi Province (in present-day southeastern Osaka Prefecture), a lineage tied to Emperor Seiwa through his ancestor Yorisada Mori, a great-grandson of the famed Minamoto no Yoshiie.
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Sanada Masayuki
Sanada Masayuki (1547 – July 13, 1611) was a daimyo and prominent lord of Japan's Sengoku period. Head of the Sanada clan from Shinano Province, he served the powerful Takeda clan of Kai Province alongside his father and brothers during Takeda Shingen’s leadership. Following the Takeda clan's decline, Masayuki took charge of the Sanada, and despite limited resources, he established his clan as an independent power under the Toyotomi regime by navigating alliances with dominant clans such as the Tokugawa, Hojo, and Uesugi. Renowned as one of his era's greatest strategists, Masayuki achieved notable victories against the Tokugawa forces in the Battle of Kami River and the Siege of Ueda.
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Sanada Nobuyuki
Sanada Nobuyuki was a renowned samurai of the Sengoku period and the eldest son of daimyō Sanada Masayuki. He was the elder brother of the famous warrior Sanada Yukimura. Nobuyuki’s mother was Kansho-in, Masayuki's wife, and he was married to Komatsuhime (Inahime), the daughter of Honda Tadakatsu and the adopted daughter of Tokugawa Ieyasu. Nobuyuki also had two other wives: Seiin-in, his cousin, and Ukyo, the daughter of Tamagawa Hidemasa.
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Date Hidemune
Date Hidemune was a Japanese daimyō during the early Edo period, born in 1591 as the eldest son of Date Masamune, one of Japan’s most prominent feudal lords. His mother was Shinzo no Kata, a concubine, which affected his future prospects. As a young man, Hidemune lived under the care of Toyotomi Hideyoshi and was given the adult name "Hidemune," adopting one character from Hideyoshi's own name. Hideyoshi granted Hidemune the court rank of junior 5th, lower grade, along with the title of ji-jū, and appointed him as a page to his son, Toyotomi Hideyori.
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Tsutsui Junkei
Tsutsui Junkei (March 31, 1549 – September 15, 1584), the son of Tsutsui Junsho, was a daimyo who ruled over Yamato Province. In 1571, through the mediation of Akechi Mitsuhide, Junkei pledged his service to Oda Nobunaga.
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Oda Nobutada
Oda Nobutada (1557 – June 21, 1582) was a samurai and the eldest son of Oda Nobunaga, known for his active role in several battles during Japan's Sengoku period. He led armies under his father's command in campaigns against Matsunaga Hisahide and the Takeda clan.
