Shinsengumi: Heroes or Thugs?

This article was written/submitted by Mibu’s Wolf:

While reading Shinsengumi: Shogun’s Last Samurai Corps, I realized that the author made the Shinsengumi seem more like thugs than heroes, like the way they are portrayed in anime and movies. So I asked myself, who were they really. This article breaks down what the Shinsengumi were like in both anime and in the book. My goal is to see what is more realistic.

In Japan, there are statues of some of the members, there are museums, even train stations in honor of the Shinsengumi. Even in Kenshin, where the Shinsengumi are the ultimate villains, you can’t help but think that they are heroes. In Peacemaker Kurogane, however, they are the heroes. It’s safe to say that the Japanese people think of the Shinsengumi as heroes. The book, however, is written by an American, so it has a whole other perspective on things. In the book, it really does give a complete history. It even includes the minor details that very few would know. It even said that the commander, Kamo, had affairs with countless women, and when one gave him syphilis, he cut her in half and threw her into a lake. That right there would be enough for a non-fan to just close the book, and forget about it. Most, if not all, of the dirty things done in the Shinsengumi were done by Kamo. This eventually led to his assassination by his own men. I feel that the author focused too much on facts, and forgot to go deeper in order to find the true meaning in what the Shinsengumi did.

In Webster’s New World College Dictionary the definition of hero is… any person, esp. a man, admired for qualities or achievements and regarded as an ideal or model. I’ll break this definition down piece by piece. First, a person admired for qualities or achievements. There’s no doubting that the Shinsengumi are admired. Like I said, Japan has countless things dedicated to the Shinsengumi. If that isn’t admiration, then I don’t know what is. The Shinsengumi are many peoples’ idol. What I think is the best way to describe the Shinsengumi is as great men that fought for what they believed in. This can also be said about Choshu, and the other rebel clans. So, really, when you think about it, if the war turned out differently, then Choshu would be the hated group of the time.

I do believe that there is some truth it what the author of the book said. It is true that the Shinsengumi were merciless, and did some horrible things just to get information. However, you do have to consider the time period. There was a war going on. Gathering enough information to find out what your enemy was up to was a matter of life and death. I really do think that the book was bias, and did not even bother to mention any qualities the Shinsengumi had besides being killers. This would make it seem as if they were thugs.

In conclusion, I really don’t think that the Shinsengumi were thugs. I do see them as heroes. I see anyone that risks their life for the sake of another is a hero, and the Shinsengumi put their lives on the line for the sake of the country.

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