@ukiyo.lens: Samurai: The Sword and Life of Saitō Hajime, Captain of the Shinsengumi's Third Squad #samurai #bushido #japanesewarrior #samuraisword Saitō Hajime. Among the company of swordsmen known as the "Shinsengumi" that terrorized Kyoto at the end of the Edo period, this name exudes a particularly enigmatic aura. While his skill with a blade was ranked among the finest, alongside Okita Sōji and Nagakura Shinpachi, many details of his origins and early life remain unknown. This, combined with his taciturn nature, has led to much speculation about his character. The few remaining portraits and photographs give the impression of a straightforward and stern warrior with a piercing gaze. As the captain of the Shinsengumi's third squad, and in his role overseeing internal affairs and purges, he was instrumental in maintaining the organization's discipline. His sword was feared as the "invincible sword," and it is said that his unpredictable thrusting techniques, rumored to originate from him being left-handed, defeated countless enemies. Saitō's name looms large in the history of the Shinsengumi, particularly in the Ikedaya Incident of 1864. As part of Hijikata Toshizō's unit, he stormed the Ikedaya Inn where extremist ronin were hiding. He fought valiantly in the fierce sword battle that ensued in the darkness, becoming a major factor in the Shinsengumi's rise to national fame. Furthermore, as internal conflicts within the group intensified, he infiltrated the Goryō Eji faction, led by Itō Kashitarō, as a spy to monitor their activities. After the Itō faction split off, Saitō is believed to have played a central role in their purge during the Aburanokōji Incident. This demonstrates that Saitō was not merely a swordsman but also a skilled intelligence agent deeply trusted by leaders Kondō Isami and Hijikata Toshizō. When the Boshin War erupted and the Shinsengumi fought for the former shogunate against the new government forces, Saitō's battles grew even fiercer. After being routed at the Battle of Toba-Fushimi, he continued north with Kondō and Hijikata, fighting under the command of the Aizu clan. He fought until the very end as a survivor of the Shinsengumi, particularly in the Battle of Bonari Pass and the siege of Aizuwakamatsu Castle. It is said that due to his profound loyalty and exceptional combat skills, he was personally granted a banner with the character "Makoto" (誠, sincerity) by the lord of Aizu, Matsudaira Katamori. After the Meiji Restoration, while many Shinsengumi members met untimely deaths, Saitō made a remarkable transition. Changing his name to "Fujita Gorō," he found employment with the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department through an introduction from a former Aizu retainer. He took on the duty of maintaining public order as a police officer under the very new government he once fought against. During the Satsuma Rebellion, he even fought as a member of the Battōtai (sword-bearing police squad) against the samurai rebellion led by Saigō Takamori. This might suggest that his fight was not for a particular regime like the shogunate or the new government, but for his own sense of "justice" and "order." In his later years, Saitō was a man of few words, never boasting about his time with the Shinsengemi. He worked as a security guard at the Tokyo Higher Normal School and passed his life quietly. His grave is in Amidaji Temple in Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima, where he silently watches over the era in which he lived. Saitō Hajime was a samurai who survived the turbulent transition from the late Edo period to the Meiji era, relying solely on his sword and his convictions. His life shows how a warrior from a bygone era faced a new world of shifting values. Tossed by the currents of time, his solitary soul remained steadfast, a testament to an unwavering spirit. Video generated: NoLang (no-lang.com)

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