chronicle

Wednesday, 26 September 2012

fight

After the Meiji era change、the mainland of the Aizu clan was attacked by the new government forces as a symbolic existence of anti-Emperor.

After a fierce battle、the Aizu clan surrendered to the new government forces、and all the Aizu clan retainers and their families were exiled to a barren land.

After this、they will have to walk through a history of hardships.

※It's the fact、but regardless of whether it is good or bad、they never ran away from their destiny.

However、when the Aizu feudal retainers were stationed in Kyoto、the emperor at that time (Emperor Komei) trusted only the Aizu feudal lord Katamori.

He was undoubtedly the best among the Kinno (those who were loyal to the emperor).

When this emperor suddenly died of illness、the era was changed.

※After the Meiji Restoration、Katamori always wore a small bamboo tube around his neck.

After his death、when his family examined this bamboo tube、they found a handwritten letter from Emperor Komei that said、"I rely only on you."

This is from my memory and may not be accurate.

But with this.※

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One of the reasons they were disliked by the new government was the existence of the Shinsengumi.

The Shinsengumi were very brave、they fought well to keep Kyoto safe.

Naturally、many people on the anti-Tokugawa Shogunate side were killed by them.

"Let's get along with people in Western countries."

I feel like it's a little too short-sighted、but this way of thinking is now common sense in Japan.

But those who said so at the time、many of them were assassinated.

There were also frequent incidents of attacks against Westerners.

※Having said that、I believe that Westerners were probably prohibited from entering Kyoto at the time. 2023052821:01(japan time).

"We will set fire to various parts of Kyoto City and use the chaos to 'rescue' the emperor."

There was also such an anti-Tokugawa conspiracy.

It was the role of the public armed police who had to maintain the order of the Imperial City as a reality of the times.

But times have all changed.

When the era aimed at by the people killed by the Shinsengumi became a reality.

Simply put、the "Shinsengumi" has become an evil organization that kills heroes of justice.

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Several decades after the Meiji Restoration、a former Aizu feudal retainer compiled a record of the activities of the Aizu clan in Kyoto as a historical document.

Of course、the document also mentioned the Shinsengumi.

At this point、the social and political standing of former Aizu clan retainers as enemies of the emperor and the court、as well as their impression on the public、was still very bad.

I will quote Shiba san's words here.

"Everything was done by the Shinsengumi."

"It has nothing to do with us."

Since it is a fact、it is not impossible to say so from the standpoint of the Aizu clan.

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Not limited to Japan、this era was not yet an era of liberalism.

State rights were stronger than civil rights.

Aizu was an enemy of own state in the atmosphere of such times.

The Shinsengumi was also an evil organization.

"The actions of the Shinsengumi have nothing to do with us."

Yes、Aizu can say that.

"The discipline of the Shinsengumi was very strict.

And they were so brave.

They faced any difficulties without hesitation.

At that time、many lawless ronin (now influential people) were invading Kyoto.

And they tried to destroy the peace of Kyoto.

The Shinsengumi did a great job fighting them to keep the peace with Kyoto."

※I think the person who wrote this sentence was the president of Tokyo Imperial University at the time.