新選組簡介

新選組，日本幕府末期令人聞風喪膽的武士組織，以守護德川將軍及維護京都治安為任。別名「壬生狼」，由近藤勇 (Kondō Isami) 及土方歲三 (Hijikata Toshizō) 統率，擅以暗殺、圍剿方式殺敵，在池田屋事件上更是一戰成名，威名傳遍京都、大阪及江戶。

新選組於一八六三年創立，在翌年池田屋事件成功瓦解激進長州藩的「火燒京都」計劃，其偵察調查、戰略部署及行動執行均獲幕府朝廷及大眾認同。隊中紀律甚嚴，局中法度所列舉的禁令更讓人透不過氣來，雖則可把隊士軍紀嚴明，易於掌控，但卻令隊中內部分裂加劇，內鬥不絕。隨著維新派的積極推進、先進武器的採用及幕府內部對前景的矛盾等，新選組於一八六八年的鳥羽．伏見之役起節節敗退，從京都戰場轉到江戶、會津及箱館，最終一八六九年五月退出舞台。

維新後，當時明治政府為建立自身威望，仍然強權打壓舊幕府軍的各人各事，持極之負面評價，所以一般百姓都對新選組以「幕府走狗、冷血暗殺」等作標籤，直到《新選組顛末記》的出現令大家重新認識新選組對幕府的忠誠及暗殺的情理。《新選組顛末記》是《小樽新聞》於一九一三年訪問永倉新八所作的一份回憶錄，讓歷史學家對事件的經過及箇中謎團有更深一層的了解，也令新選組獲得平反。

隨著時間流逝，新選組仍然是動漫、遊戲、電視及電影等題材靈感，《浪客劍心》、《薄櫻鬼》、《光之風》、《新選組異聞錄》及《銀魂》等作品均參照新選組及隊中靈魂人物造型， 創作角色增添娛樂性但難免令歷史真實感模糊起來。

在歷經一百五十年後的今天，新選組的一切仍能令我們笑過、哭過，並對他們的際遇惋惜。此網頁的製作以真誠推廣新選組為初心，讓他們的忠誠、偉大及英勇事跡延續下去。

近藤勇 Kondo Isami
土方歲三 Hijikata Toshizo
局長近藤勇 (左) 及 副長土方歲三 (右) 照

SHINSENGUMI

The Shinsengumi (1863 – 1869) was one of the shogunate’s army and was active in Kyoto at the end of the Edo period. Led by Kondō Isami and Hijikata Toshizō, the Shinsengumi, formerly known as Roshigumi was organized by the shogunate for the guarding of the 14th Shogun Tokugawa Iemochi, founded by the lord of Aizu-han Matsudaira Katamori. They gained considerable fame in the Ikedaya Jiken and the August 18 coup events etc.

With the Taisei Hokan proclamation (returning power to the emperor) and the Oseifukko-no-Daigorei (restoration of the Imperial rule) in force respectively in October and December 1867, the Boshin War broke out between the former shogunate forces and the new government.

After heavy losses in the Toba-Fushimi Battle, the Shinsengumi continued to fight the antagonists and unfortunately suffered from a great disadvantage with Kondō Isami being decapitated in Itabashi on 25 April 1868. Hijikata Toshizō, who re-established the Hakodate Government army force of the former shogunate, was killed in the Hakodate all-out assault on 11 May 1869.

The Shinsengumi, tiding over the late Tokugawa period’s turbulent state, remained loyal and bravely fought against the revolution initiated by new government forces. Most members fought to their ends during the battles. It was however their way of life to sacrifice oneself in loyalty to the shogunate and belief in Bushido attracted many people worldwide and remained one of Japanese history’s favourable and prominent figures.