Isami Kondo's last head quarter - Goog bye to Hijikata

In 1863, late of Edo period, the shogunate established "Shinsen-Gumi", special assault police task force, for maintenance of public peace from anti-shogunate activists in Kyoto. Shinsen-gumi was formed by "Ronin", Samurai who is out of employment, and after some internal conflict, they chosed Isami Kondo as their leader.

Isami Kondo, commander of Shinsen-gumi

Toshizo Hijikata, vice-commander of Shinsen-gumi

Shinsen-gumi started fierce police activity in kyoto, hot spot of Meiji restoration and anti-shogunate activity, under Kondo's command. Kondo and his vice-commander Toshizo Hijikata who graduated Kondo's Japanese fencing school, dispatched Shinsen-gumi to a lot of incidents in Kyoto, like "Ikedaya-inn incident", "Hamaguri Gate Rebellion", ”occupation attempt incident at Osaka castle”.

But, as the way of world, it is difficult for police force or militia to defeat regular forces. After the start of Boshin civil war in 1868, they were put to rout by westernized new government army, in Battle of Toba-Fushimi, Battle of Katsunuma in Kai Province, and more.

Kondo's last head quarter in today
(C)JAPAN a while ago

Keizo Kagawa, commander of new government army troop, marched Nagareyama

In March 1868, Kondo and Hijikata moved his troop in Nagareyama, a prosperous river port town. Nagareyama had some brewery and Kondo chose a Sake brewery "Nagaoka-ya" for his new head quarter. They say that he tried recruiting and training for revenge. The new government army, under Keizo Kagawa, find Kondo's troop and started march to Nagareyama.

A stair of Nagaoka-ya Sake brewery, Kondo and Hijikata probably used
(C)JAPAN a while ago

A memorial monument of Kondo's last head quarter
(C)JAPAN a while ago

Kondo was worried about shifting northward, battle, or Harakiri as "Junior Elders" rank of the shogunate. After the last talking with Hijikata, he made decision that surrendering himself to enemy because of avoiding war damage in Nagareyama.

Former river port of "Yakkara" site in Nagareyama, Kondo departed to Itabashi execution grounds
(C)JAPAN a while ago

In 3rd April, Kondo became prisoner. Then, Hijikata said bye to his old comrade, and went north for continuing war. After the separation of two Shinsen-gumi leader, Kondo was send to Itabashi execution grounds where he was killed, and Hijikata fought until battle of Goryokaku fortress.