The Mountain-Shaped Stripes In A Light Blue Jacket

           As written before, in the beginning the Shinsengumi had no funds and often Kondou borrowed money from his Edo relatives.
           But one day, Serizawa Kamo went to Osaka with seven people, Yamanami Keisuke, Nagakura Shinpachi, Harada Sanosuke, Inoue Genzaburou, Hirayama Gorou, Noguchi Kenji and Hirama Juusuke. They went to the estate of Kounoike Zen-emon demanding money. Kounoike was a wealthy man, who traded alcoholic beverages, owned a shipping agency and had a currency exchange house.
           The porter, seeing that fearsome group, tried to take them to the rear door, but Serizawa simply said, "It's not civilized manners to lead people to a rear door waiting room just because they are ronins (wanderers)." The porter was frightened and took them to the visitor's room, where ashtrays and tea were offered. He asked what was the purpose of the visit, and Serizawa answered, "I want two hundred gold "ryou" now." (a LOT of money, considering that a person could live confortably with 10 ryous a year -- one ryou was more or less like 800~1000 bucks now). The doorkeeper thought they were one of those ronins who threatened for money, something common in those times, and tried to drive them out, handing five "ryou". Serizawa was infuriated and throwed them back to the porter, who got terrified and ran for help to the "Public Magistrate of the City" ("Machi Bugyousho") There, he was told to treat those ronin well, because they were protected by the Aizu province. Upon hearing that, the very owner, Zen-emon, went back, apologised to the group and handed at once two hundred gold "ryou".
           With that money, Serizawa returned to Kyoto and ordered the uniform of the Shinsengumi to the Oomaru Gofuku Store (there's another theory, where Serizawa ordered to the Hishiya Tabee. And as Serizawa didn't pay in time, Oume (a lover of Tabee) went to Mibu to get the payment, until she fell in love with Serizawa and the payment was never made.).
           But some days later, Matsudaira Katamori was startled by such news, realizing he had neglected the group. He called Serizawa and told him, "I'll pay these two hundred "ryou", so give them back to the Kounoike family. And if you face any other financial problems, tell me."
           Serizawa gave immediately the money back to Kounoike, who saw that the group wasn't an ordinary one, and frequently invited Serizawa and others to have a lunch with him. The bond between Kounoike and Shinsengumi was strengthened. (months later, Kondou Isami would get his famous sword, Nagasone Kotetsu, from Kounoike as a gift)
           The uniform Serizawa ordered was "a "Haori"(japanese half-coat) for public duties, whose light blue sleeve had mountain-shaped stripes". And thus the famous Shinsengumi uniform was created.
           There's quite a lot of controversy about the color of the Shinsengumi jacket. Some say it was light yellow, and others sustain that it was light blue. The "Shinsengumi Ibun" cover features the light yellow version, whereas Rurouni Kenshin and Shiba Ryoutarou feature the light blue version.
           The problem is that, in the original, the Shinsengumi color is described as being "asagiiro". However, there are two "asagiiro", one meaning "light yellow" and the other, "light blue", as shows the image below:

           So, it isn't clear whether the uniform was blue or not. As the color of Aizu, their patron, was yellow, their uniform could be light yellow with white mountain-shaped stripes in the sleeve. But in the Shinsengumi movies and "dramas" (soap operas), their uniform is blue, as is in Rurouni Kenshin. I prefer the light blue version, since the uniform was said to be very flashy.
           And it was very flashy and fearsome at the same time. It is said that when they went on duty, everybody avoided looking at them, out of pure terror.
           And their flag was a red flag with white mountain-shaped stripes, with the "Makoto" (fidelity) character in white. The size was 1,80m x 1,80m (according to Nagakura Shinpachi). IMHO, never a flag represented so good a troop. The Shinsengumi were loyal to the Bakufu until the very end.
           NOTE: There's another type of Shinsengumi uniform, often shown in TV shows also. The jacket is white and the stripes are dark blue or black (like Sanada from Last Blade 2). That uniform is NOT from the Shisengumi, let's make this clear. That uniform belongs to the "Shinsengumi's ancestors" ^_^ called the "Akou Roushi" (or "Chuushingura"). The "Akou Roushi" is a VERY famous group in Japan due to their loyality to the chief of the fief. When the chief was murdered, the 48 "Akou Roushi" swore revenge, and they got it, many, many years later (this is simplifying the story too much, but... ^_^). Its uniform was the "design motif" for the Shinsengumi, hence the striking similarity between them. But the "Akou Roushi" is another story (a fantastic story, mind you), maybe for another manga... ^_^

The Dreaded Five Articles Of The Shinsengumi Law

           Soon after the formation of Shinsengumi, the laws of the group were established. In "Shinsengumi Shimatsuki", it's Kondou Isami who devised the laws, while other sources claim that Serizawa Kamo was the author.
           IMHO, I prefer the "Moeyo Ken" version, where Hijikata Toshizou devised them. The reason is simple: none of the above two is likely to have created them. Kondou Isami was a very harsh person when on duty, but he was known by his gentleness off-duty and they say he was even a bit light-hearted. Serizawa Kamo wouldn't establish laws that were clearly against his usual deeds.
           But Hijikata Toshizou is widely known for his cunning and craftiness and feared because of his iron will. He is the most probable author of the Shinsengumi law.
           There were five articles:

Dai ichijou: Shidou ni somuki majiki koto.
First Article: It's not allowed to deviate from the path proper to man.

Dai nijou: Kyoku wo dassuru kotowo yurusazu.
Second Article: It's not allowed to leave the Shinsengumi.

Dai sanjyou: Katte ni kinsaku itasubekarazu.
Third Article: It's not allowed to raise money privately.

Dai shijou: Katte ni soshou toriatsukaubekarazu.
Fourth Article: It's not allowed to take part in other's (other than Shinsengumi's) litigation.

Dai gojou: Watakushi no tousou wo yurusazu.
Fifth Article: It's not allowed to engage in private fights.



           These five articles were read in front of every Shinsengumi member, along with some more items. The most famous ones were the following:

"Kumigashira ga moshi toushi shita baaiwa, kumishuu wa sono ba de toushi subeshi."
"If the leader of a unit (that is, a Jokin (later called Kumichou and after that, Fukuchou Jokin), Petty Officer) is mortally wounded in a fight, all the members of the unit must fight and die on the spot."

"Hageshiki kokou ni oite shishou zokushutsusutomo kumigashira no shitai no hoka wa hikishirizokukotomakarinarazu."
"Even in a fight where the death toll is high, it is not allowed to retrieve the bodies of the dead, except the corpse of the leader of the unit."

           And the most dreaded one was:

"Moshi taishiga koumuni yorazushite machi de taigai no mono to arasoi, teki to yaiba wo kawashi, jibunga kizu wo oite aite wo shitomekirazuni nigashita baai, ushirokizu no baai no gotokimo seppuku wo meizuru."
"If a Shinsengumi member engage in a fight with a stranger, be it on duty or not, if he is wounded and can't kill the enemy, allowing him to run away, even in case of a wound in the back (meaning a treacherous attack), seppuku (self-disembowelment, more famous as 'harakiri') is ordered."

           There was only one penalty for the non-compliment of the law: death.


           Japan had never seen such laws (even in the Civil War (Sengoku), it was allowed to retreat and to retrieve the bodies of the dead comrades). Of course, the death order was preceded by a deep investigation, in order to bring all the relevant facts, and sometimes the order was not issued. But more often than not, the blood of Shinsengumi members flowed like water in Kyoto.
           In "Moeyo Ken", there's a dialogue between Hijikata Toshizou and Okita Souji about the last item, that show a bit what such laws meant for the Shinsengumi members:

           "(...)There's one curious item. This item, Hijikata believed, would make iron run in the veins of the Shinsengumi members. It's written, 'If a Shinsengumi member engage in a fight with a stranger, be it on duty or not, if he is wounded and can't kill the enemy, allowing him to run away, even in case of a wound in the back (meaning a treacherous attack),...'
           'What would happen?', asked Okita Souji.
           '...seppuku (self-disembowelment) is ordered.', was the answer of Hijikata.
           Souji laughed, 'Now that's too cruel. Wounding the enemy is already something, isn't it? There can be times when the enemy is able to evade. It's too cruel to order seppuku just because they let the enemy run away.'
           'With this, everybody will fight for their life.'
           'But, I'm sorry if I'm throwing mud at your marvellous masterpiece, but in the long run the joke will be on you. For the Shinsengumi members, it will be better to run away from the enemy without a scratch, instead of fighting foes and wounding them.'
           'That will punished with seppuku also.'
           'Huh?'
           'First Article: It's not allowed to deviate from the path proper to man.'
           'I see...'
           For the Shinsengumi members, once they unsheath their swords, they have no other way than go and kill the foes, no matter what the cost.
           'And if they refuse to do so?'
           'Seppuku.'
           'The more coward ones will try to leave the Shinsengumi.'
           'That will also be punished with seppuku, based on the Second Article.' (...)"


           In Rurouni Kenshin, there's reference to the First Article in volume 7.

Facing a Tiger

           Once, there was a big tiger being exhibited in Matsubara Doori Karasuma Inaba Yakushi, along with parrots, parakeets, etc. As they were very rare, the exhibition drew a lot of people and attention.
           But suddenly, there were rumors assuring that the big tiger was nothing but a man in a tiger-like clothing, for "it was impossible that such beautiful birds and beasts could exist".
           Serizawa heard that and he said, "well then, let me play with that tiger-man. Three of you, come with me."
           There, they managed to get to the tiger's jail, and Serizawa, without taking notice of the tiger keeper, entered the jail. He walked right in front of the tiger and in an instant drew his sword, pointing it to the very nose of the tiger. Everybody was taken by surprise, as the tiger growled loudly in a deafening howl, glaring fiercely at Serizawa. Serizawa also was a bit surprised, and sheathing his sword, laughed nervously, "well, this isn't a fake at all..." But the exhibition staff didn't know he was Serizawa Kamo, and five or six people came running, yelling, "what the hell are you doing?!" Serizawa didn't heed them, prefering to watch quietly and closely the tiger.
           The staff was more and more enraged, trying even to use violence to draw Serizawa out of the tiger's jail, but Saeki Matasaburou (one of the men who followed Serizawa) got angry at that and said, "are you blind or not?! Don't you recognize him as the Shinsengumi Kyokuchou Serizawa sensei?!"
           They were astounded and fearful, but it was too late. Serizawa didn't say a thing for a moment, but then he told Sasaki, a man who was also with the Serizawa group, "Sasaki, get those parrots and wash them. They're all but a fake."

Serizawa Kamo Causes Trouble Again

           By the end of June, an official(diplomat) of Minakuchi province, when meeting with an official of Aizu province, accidentally complained that "there are many violence done by your Roushi group (Shinsengumi), sometimes upsetting us." And that complaint reached Serizawa's ears.
           Serizawa was very angry and ordered four people, Nagakura Shinpachi, Inoue Genzaburou, Harada Sanosuke and Takeda Kanryuusai, to "arrest the Minakuchi official". So they went to the Minakuchi estate, but the province knew that handing the official would be the same as sending him to death, so Nagakura got a formal letter of apology and got back.
           But if the chief of Minakuchi province happened to know that, for sure he'd oblige the official to commit seppuku (or harakiri). The people from the Minakuchi estate got so upset that they used the owner of a kenjutsu (Jiki Shinkage style)dojo, to try to convince the Mibumura Roushigumi to retrieve the letter back.
           Serizawa was convinced, but he said that he needed the agreement of every member of his group (that is, he demanded a party to be held). So the Minakuchi province invited all the Mibumura Roushigumi to the Sumiya, in Shimabara. Shimabara was then a very famous licensed quarters and Sumiya was one of the finest houses there.
           There, the issue of the letter of apology was quickly solved and soon began the party. But Serizawa was a terrible man when drunk. According (again) to Nagakura Shinpachi, Serizawa Kamo was outraged because there were only gueishas and no parlormaids (who probably were too afraid of him).
           So he used his famous iron fan and started destroying everything, even china, and ripped the sake galons, flooding the place with sake. In the end, he laughed maniacally, shouting as he left, "Sumiya Tokuemon, due to your insolent behavior, I confine you in this house for seven days!"

Fight With A Sumo Wrestler

           As the Mibumura Roushigumi (Shinsengumi) was working hard in Kyoto, the Ishin Shishis had no freedom of movement in that city. So, naturally they started to meet in the neighboring cities, especially Osaka, therefore causing a major headache to the public officers in Osaka, concerned with the violence such men would surely bring into the city. So, they asked the help of the Kyoto public officers, who sent the Mibumura Roushigumi to Osaka.
           There they stayed in the Funayado Kyouya of Osaka Tenma Yaken-ya, whose owner was Chuubee. On July 15th, a very hot day, Serizawa decided to cool himself and ordered a boat to be prepared. He took seven people, Yamanami Keisuke, Okita Souji, Nagakura Shinpachi, Hirayama Gorou, Saitou Hajime, Shimada Kai and Noguchi Kenji with himself. The boat went down the Yodo river, but when they were close to Nabejimagishi, in the shore of Nakano Island, Saitou got suddenly sick. So, they decided to get out of the boat and started walking. They were heading to Oimatsuchou, but a sumo wrestler were in their way. Serizawa said dryly, "Get out of our way", but the wrestler didn't knew they were the feared Shinsengumi and replied, "What do you mean, 'get out of my way'?" Serizawa didn't answer. He got close to the wrestler and suddenly the fighter gave a loud cry and fell to the ground, a deep sword wound in his chest. Serizawa kept on walking as nothing happened, not even looking at the dead.
           Soon after, when they were in the Shijimi Bridge, another sumo wrestler were in their way. This time, Serizawa knocked him down with his iron fan and the group headed north, to the Sumiyoshirou Store, to have Saitou treated and to hold a party.
           But soon there was noise outside. Looking down there were several sumo wrestlers from the Onogawa Kisaburou Heya(sumo dojo), looking for revenge and demanding loudly the Shinsengumi to be sent for trial. Serizawa yelled, "Is this the way you treat other people?!", and jumped to the ground, as he drawed his sword. The other men also jumped and the struggle began.
           The fight was very heated and in the end the sumo wrestlers retreated, with three dead men and about thirty injured for the wrestler's side and a slightly wounded man (Hirayama) for the Shinsengumi side. This issue was completely solved, as the leaders of the sumo wrestlers in Osaka apologised formally to Serizawa and Kondou (who didn't take part in the episode), offering as a gift fine sake and fifty gold ryou. (there was trouble due to this episode that Kondou would face, but that's another story.)
           This episode made the Shinsengumi famous and feared for their courage and strength. After, the leaders of the Osaka sumo wrestlers went formally to apologise to Kondou Isami and Serizawa Kamo. So everything was solved, and the Shinsengumi helped with a sumo event that took place in Kyoto. Serizawa Kamo helped as well, and in the end he caught some fish to the Osaka sumo wrestlers from a pond in a temple. The wrestlers were a bit afraid, because it was said that the fish were protected by the gods, but Serizawa laughed and said, "Why the knights of loyality and patriotism should be afraid of some petty gods?", and thus everybody ate the fish.

Heavy Artillery Used In The Very City Of Kyoto

          Since June, a group called the Tenchuugumi (yes the same Tenchuu that appears in Rurouni Kenshin, for those who know ^_^), whose goal was to make an coup d'etat (deposing the Bakufu (Shogun) government and swearing fealty to the Emperor, acting as a battle regiment against the foreigners) was raising funds by taking money (robbing) from the merchants who worked with foreigners. They threatened the Yamato Store, a fabrics dealer. The owner, Yamato Shoubee, was frightened to death, and he asked for protection to the Kyoto Shugoshoku, who sent the Shinsengumi. But in the meantime, he also paid a very high amount of money (10,000 ryou) to a member of the Daigo family (a family close to the Emperor), asking for protection also. When Serizawa Kamo knew that, he got enraged: he took the only cannon (!) Shinsengumi had and with six men he went to the Yamato Store, in the evening. There, he demanded loudly that the owner came to him explain what was that about, that is, why the owner paid such a high amount of money to others than the Shinsengumi, without giving a single ryou to him. The doorkeeper was pale with fear, and told that the owner wasn't in the house at the moment.

The Yamato Store.