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ISSUE 3 – NOVEMBER 2013

Right: Umanosuke Kashio, kenjutsu master from the Shinsengumi. Left: Possibly Sukegoro Miyagawa. A most unlikely pair associated with such a violent group.

he history of Shinsengumi is one riddled with secrecy, intrigue and violence. Run according to strict guidelines Twhich saw the demise of many of it’s members and eventually the group. The article that follows starts at the very beginning explaining the origin, its values and its end; looking at the key figures and their roles not only in the group but their part in the history of a changing on the brink of the Restoration.

Roshigumi In 1863 the Bakufu* began recruiting unemployed (ronin) to guard Shogun Iemochi whilst he visited to meet Emperor Komei. Not since the third Shogun, , had a shogun travelled to Kyoto. Japan was a country in turmoil, violently struggling to deal with the threat of American and European naval aggresion. Tokugawa Iemochi, as head of the military government, was being summoned to discuss how to execute the recent imperial edict calling for the expulsion of all foreigners, backed up by the use of Matsudaira Katamori possible force. Kiyokawa Hachiro Matsudaira Katamori, daimyo of the Aizu han, was granted Protector of Kyoto and charged with it’s policing Kiyokawa Hachirô of Shonai han, was *Bakufu: The military government of Japan as well as guaranteeing the Shogun’s charged with the responsibility of from 1192 to 1868, and headed by the shogun. safety during his stay, considering recruitment, while Yamaoka Tesshu, The bakufu was originally responsible only for the Sonno Joi (revere the Emperor; warfare and policing, and was subordinate to Kiyokawa’s longtime friend, provided expel the foreigners) movement by the imperial court. But, over the centuries, the support and additional leadership. bakufu’s powers expanded while the emperors pro-imperial ronin, was becoming an became reduced, turning them into mere ever-increasing problem. The plan In actual fact, Kiyokawa had anti- figureheads. In 1868, it all changed, theMeiji was to gather ronin and form them Tokugawa sentiments and was a Restoration extinguished the bakufu’s authority into a security group: the Roshigumi – strong supporter of the principles and returned political power to the emperor. of Sonno Joi and proceeded to Bakufu literally means “tent government” – credited to Matsudaira Chikaranosuke, harking back to the military camps where the kenjutsu instructor at the military recruit like-minded ronin to fill the early bakufu were based. academy Kobusho. Roshigumi’s ranks. Additionally,

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Mibumura Roshigumi’s flag

Kiyokawa secretly intended to turn the chief of the Kyoto Mimawarigumi, palace, and the seven Sonno Joi there. Threateningly, they pointed Shieikan faction Roshigumi into a pro-Sonno Joi group Shinsengumi’s stable mates) before aides who had devised the plan, were their swords and spears at the The Shieikan is the Tennen Rishin upon arrival in Kyoto, abandoning their his plan could be carried out. expelled from the palace and banned Shinsengumi, shouting, “Who are Ryu Dojo, situated in Ichigaya, mission to protect Iemochi. With this from re-entering. you?” Serizawa drew his iron fan, and When the Shogun went back to , Tokyo. It was established by Kondo in mind, Kiyokawa marched out of Edo laughed, as he fanned the spears. the Choushu aides worked harder The expelling of the men had Shusuke in 1839. with 250 men on the 8th February, “We are the Shinsengumi, working to end the regime of the Bakufu, implications on the Choushu province, 1863, as the vanguard of Shogun under orders of the Aizu province. After Kondo Isami joined the and reinstall the Emperor as the true and from that moment on were Iemochi’s procession to Kyoto. Don’t misunderstand our purpose, or Roshigumi, Sato Hikogoro governor of Japan. The Choushu forbidden to protect the gates of you’ll face the consequences.” maintained it until 1867. The Not long after arriving in Kyoto, Ishin , led by Katsura Kogorou, Kyoto, and were ordered to take all The soldiers were surprised by Shieikan was known as the Kiyokawa’s intentions became Takasugi Shinsaku and Kusaka Genzui, their men back to Choushu. the daring of Serizawa, and it is place where the prominent clear. Though this did not come as a were able to infiltrate the Imperial This became known as the Kinmon no said that the Aizu men, from this Shinsengumi members gathered: surprise to some of the senior Bakufu, Military Commissioner of Kyoto). Palace so establishing loyal aides, Seihen (The Political Upheaval of the moment, changed their opinion of the Hijikata Toshizo, Okita Soji, Inoue who had regarded Kiyokawa as a The Kyoto Shugoshoku and the most prominent being Sanjo Forbidden Gates) or the Hachigatsu Shinsengumi. The Aizu men, were at Genzaburo, Yamanami Keisuke, dangerous subversive for a long time. Matsudaira Katamori, came to an Sanetomi. Choushu still had the duty Juhachinichi no Seihen (The Political first stunnned, but soon recovered Nagakura Shinpachi, Harada Keen to get Kiyokawa and his men agreement that the group would be of guarding the Imperial Palace gates, Upheaval of August 18th). When and threatened again. Unfortunately Sanosuke and Todo Heisuke. out of Kyoto, orders were given telling taken care of whilst in Kyoto, calling so getting in and out of the Palace the Choushu Army had learnt about for the Shinsengumi though, there Kiyokawa to bring the Roshigumi back the group Mibumura Roshigumi. was not an issue, enabling them to what had happened, they hurried Founded by Kondo Kuranosuke was no battle, and the first official to Edo and make preparations to expel plot unhindered against the Bakufu. to the gates of the palace, but they Nagahiro in about 1789. The style The remaining ex-Roshigumi confrontation for the Shinsengumi the foreigners. faced heavy defenses around them. was popularised by Kondo Shusuke members were later strengthened by On August 13th it was announced ended in nothing. But it wouldn’t They finally retreated to the east and (1792-1867), the third generation Finally arriving in Kyoto on the the arrival of new recruits. Matsudaira that the Emperor would visit the tomb always be that way. eventually went back to Choushu, master of the style, who, together 23rd February, 1863, Serizawa and Katamori, after careful consideration, of the Emperor Jinbu, and then go protecting the seven aides, in what is Shinsengumi with Sato Hikogoro, spread its his group took up lodgings in Yagi felt it was nessesary to change the on to the Ise Palace. It was actually famed as Shichigyou Ochi (The Flight From the remnants of the Roshigumi, fame and practice throughout the Gennojo’s estate, while Kondo’s group Mibumura Roshigumi’s mission, a diversion aimed at the Choushu of the Seven Aides). did the Shinsengumi emerge. Tama district. were to stay at Maekawa Shouji’s from protecting the Shogun to one men, who had virtually imprisoned Matsudaira Katamori named it’s three estate (both in Mibu). The next day, of patrolling the streets of Kyoto and the Emperor by burning the city, During the attempted coup, Since the first and the second commanders: Kondo Isami, leader Kiyokawa asked them all to assemble restoring it to order, which is exactly whilst also marching their armies to representatives of the Public Office of generation masters adopted a of the eight-man Shieikan faction; at the Shintokuji Temple. Kiyokawa, what happened. Edo with a view to end the Bakufu. Aizu went to Mibu and requested the student with superb skills to be Serizawa Kamo (famous for his a shrewd individual, gathered the This information quickly reached the presence of the Mibumura Roshigumi the next master, so did Kondo When the Shogun went back association with the Tengu Party) was troupe of ronin together in the name ears of Matsudaira Katamori. He met to ask their aid in protecting the gates Shusuke. So in 1849 the childless leader of a five manMito faction; and of the Bakufu, wanting to train them to Edo, the Choushu aides with a confident of the Emperor, and of the palace. It would be the first Kondo decided to adopt a sixteen- Niimi Nishiki, another member of the all to be Ishin Shishi, professing Sonno worked harder to end the they realised that if they were to time for the Mibumura Roshigumi to year-old student named Miyagawa Mito faction, who was actually just Joi. A few days later, Kiyokawa then regime of the Bakufu, and face the Choushu army they were fight as a real army. Serizawa would Katsugoro, later known as Kondo a nominal commander and held no commanded the Roshigumi to go reinstall the Emperor as the going to need a larger force. To do lead the Mibumura Roshigumi into Isami. real power. These two Mito groups back to Edo and serve the Emperor. this they had to join their forces with two rows of 40 men each, sporting a true governor of Japan. formed the Tengu Faction. Kondo and The style – like other koryu, teaches But Serizawa, Kondo and a group the Satsuma province men, which big red flag measuring 6ft square and Serizawa were intense rivals and the kenjutsu, bujutsu, and . of 13 men refused to go. Following Meanwhile, Kiyokawa had planned was governed by Shimazu Hisamitsu, everybody wearing yellow , the Eventually, in 1861, Kondo Isami a stand-off and a furious argument, for his new Roshigumi, now called who weren’t against the Bakufu. colour of Aizu. All the members were became the fourth head master of the Roshigumi departed from Kyoto Shinchogumi, to attack the foriegn The Emperor had to be told of the excited to finally see battle for the the style, spreading its fame during heading back to Edo, but without settlement at Yokohama; set fire to true purpose of the visit to Kyoto. cause they belived in, dieing happily his time with the Shinsengumi. Serizawa, Kondo and their men. the buildings and kill the foreigners, The Emperor, although against the if need-be. It was on this day that the Noted practitioners were Hijikata (Though Aizu records state there were so that the Bakufu’s foreign policy, as foreigners, wasn’t considering going Mibumura Roshigumi were officially Toshizo, Inoue Genzaburo, and the 24 men that stayed in Kyoto). well as their image, would be forever against the Bakufu. renamed “Shinsengumi”, with the famous prodigy Okita Soji (who tarnished and plummet to new low. permission of the Emperor. Out of interest, the reason that The Bakufu though had been informed In early hours of 18th August, there mastered all the techniques of the Serizawa and Kondo could oppose of the plans, and so sent assassins was an Imperial order postponing Serizawa Kamo led the Shinsengumi, school and attained Menkyo Kaiden Kiyokawa was down to a secret to intercept him. Kiyokawa was killed the visit. At the same time, several in the middle was Kondo Isami and status at eighteen.) Tennen Rishin- alliance between Matsudaira Katamori on April 13th by Sasaki Tadasaburo, provinces led by the Aizu and Satsuma at the rear, Niimi Nishiki. When ryu is still practiced today, among and the Kyoto Shugoshoku (The a master (who would be the contingent who were defending the they arrived at the Hamaguri gate, other koryu. there were already Aizu soldiers Hamaguri gate

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Entrance to the Yagi residence in Mibu where Serizawa Kamo and his group lodged reputation, so Matsudaira Katamori, In 1867, all the Shinsengumi were as ‘The Demon of the Shinsengumi’. The rules of the Shinsengumi ordered Serizawa’s assassination granted the status of . He suspended him by his ankles, and his closest cohorts. Around restraining his wrists, and drove five- The Ikedaya Incident First: the 16th September, Hijikata along inch spikes into the heels of his feet. 8th July, 1864. It’s not allowed to deviate from the path of a proper man. with the talented swordsman Okita Then, placing lit candles upon the Kyoto was attracting many Soji and two others loyal to Kondo, holes, allowed hot wax to drip deep Second: unemployed samurai (ronin) from assassinated Serizawa and Hirayama into his calves. From the information various provinces and allegiances. It’s not allowed to leave the Shinsengumi. Goro. A third assassination target, he gave, Hijikata found that the Shishi Some of southern provinces – namely Hirama Jusuke, escaped. With the were planning to set fire to Kyoto, Third: Choshu and Tosa – were heavily Mito faction broken, Kondo and capture Matsudaira Katamori, the It’s not allowed to raise money privately. influenced by the rise of theSonno Joi Hijikata had absolute control over the daimyo of the Aizu, and kidnap philosophy, supporting the removal of Fourth: Shinsengumi. the Emperor. The urgency of the all western influences in Japan. The situation thus revealed, Kondo Isami It’s not allowed to take part in other’s litigation. The group grew to over 140 men, Emperor and the Aizu and Satsuma led a group of Shinsengumi troops and included farmers and merchants clans supported the unification of Fifth: into action. Kondo Isami whose livelihood would be threatened the Bakufu and the Imperial court. It’s not allowed to engage in private fights. Furukata, by-the-way, eventually died, if the Shogunate was overthrown. The The Bakufu tried to maintain their but not of his injuries. He was killed in There were more rules that were read to every Shinsengumi members, here regulations set up by Shinsengumi rule, though difficult, asronin from jail during the Kinmon Incident. are some of the most famous ones: were strict and it was Hijikata who the various groups began to attack If the leader of a unit is mortally wounded, all the members of the enforced them earning the nickname and kill each other. Hence, the The Shinsengumi didn’t know exactly unit must fight and die on the spot. “The Demon of the Shinsengumi”. Bakufu organised and backed groups, where the Shishi held their meetings, Deserters and traitors were forced including Shinsengumi, and issued so Shinsengumi’s troops were divided Even in a fight where the death toll is high, it is not allowed to to commit ; as happened to orders for them to arrest or kill the into two so they cold search all over retrieve the bodies of the dead, except the corpse of the leader. Yamanami, one of Hijikata’s oldest Sonno Joi Shishi (antagonisers). the inn and the teahouse in Kyoto. friends, when tried to leave the The first group led byKondo included And the most dreaded one was: The Shinsengumi had suspicions Shinsengumi in 1865. Okita, Todo, Nagakura and six others, “If a Shinsengumi member engages in a fight with a stranger, be it about some of Kyoto’s inhabitant’s. and they moved to the Ikedaya Inn, on duty or not, if he is wounded and can’t kill the enemy, allowing So they sent spies to watch their him to run away, even in the case of a wound in the back (meaning a activities, and activated the city treacherous attack), seppuku is ordered.” patrols. The spies followed the followers of Miyabe Teizo, one of Ishin Shishi’s leaders, and from this tension between them was reaching government officer with his famous discovered a storehouse which was a Serizawa Kamo a critical point. This tension goes iron fan (weighing over 1kg). So secret liaison place of the Shishi. back to the initial formation of the from the very outset, Serizawa was When they entered the store, they Roshigumi. a problem, and an-accident-waiting- found guns and ammunition. The to-happen. This was the start of the owner, Kiemon, who was actually Initially, Kondo Isami was purely an tension between Kondo and Serizawa. a Choushu Shishi named Furutaka ordinary member of the 6th unit of the Shuntaro, who was caught the Roshigumi. Three days out of Edo, Kondo and his Vice-Commander day before. Kondo was helping Ikeda Tokutaro Hijikata Toshizo, began to plan the find lodging in a post town, when demise of the Mito faction. Their Following the arrest of Furutaka, he Kondo accidentally forgot all about opportunity came in early September was interrogated by a brutual method: Serizawa. Though Ikeda and Kondo 1863, when Niimi was found guilty At first,Kondo himself began to apologised, Serizawa didn’t listen, and of extorting money and was forced interrogate Furutaka, but he kept in protest and spite, he set a huge fire to commit Seppuku. Serizawa’s quiet. He endured the punishment at the very center of their lodgings. violent and unruly behavior gave though, his back had been crushed Eventually, Kondo convinced Serizawa Kondo the chance he needed to from the torture. Frustrated, Kondo to put out the fire, butSerizawa finish the job and seize power of resorted to letting Hijikata take had by now become uncontrolable, the Shinsengumi. It was felt that charge – the man who was known and had already knocked down a Serizawa was damaging the group’s Shuntaro Furutaka Niimi Nishiki Ikedaya Inn (Taisho era)

20 | CUTTING EDGE CUTTING EDGE | 21 The Sumiya’s SHINSENGUMI courtyard

Katana scars at the Sumiya where the Shinsengumi partied, and held a party for Serizawa Kamo just before his assasination. Many scars exist at the now restaurant as proof of Serizawa’s temper and actions.

Kondo Isami Serizawa Kamo when a 21-year-old swordsman from Isami was first known as Katsugoro The Serizawa family were Goshi from the Aizu clan known for opposing the and was born to Miyagawa Hisajiro, the Seizawa village in Hitachi province. Reformists was forced to commit a farmer residing in Kami-Ishihara Serizawa Mitsumoto was adopted into seppuku. When Hijikata attended village in Musashi Province, now in the Shimomura family and his name the man’s funeral, he apparently cried the city of Chofu in Western Tokyo. was changed to Shimomura Tsuguji. in public. He had two older brothers, Otojiro and Tsuguji was jailed for involvement in Hijikata spent his youth selling his Kumezo. Katsugoro began training the Tamatsukurigumi which was a family’s Ishida Sanyaku (medicine at the Shieikan (the main dojo of the Sonno Joi group within the Mito han, while the second group led by Hijikata, for treating injuries such as bruises Tennen Rishin-ryu) in 1848. however he was released in 1862 and consisting of Inoue, Harada, Saito and broken bones) while practicing changed his name to Serizawa Kamo. and 20 others took positions at the As a young man he was said to be an his self-taught kenjutsu. His brother- Shikokuya Inn. Hijikata’s group found avid reader, and especially liked the Niimi Nishiki in-law, Sato Hikogoro, managed a nothing, but Kondo’s group found the stories of the Forty-seven Ronin. Niimi was born in 1836, and rose to Tennen Rishin-ryu dojo in Hino. It was opposite. the rank of commander in the Mibu through Sato that Hijikata later met His renown as a scholar and his fame Roshigumi around 1864, having joined Kondo Isami and was formally enrolled At about at 22:00, Kondo entered at having defeated a group of thieves with Serizawa Kamo. He was later at the Tennen Rishin-ryu’s Shieikan in through the rear door of the Ikedaya who tried to break into his family demoted to vice commander because 1859. Although Hijikata himself never Inn, and asked for the guest book home caught the attention of Kondo of his poor conduct and raucus fully mastered the Tennen Rishin-ryu, to checked it out. Unexpectedly, a Shusuke, the third generation master behaviour, and was ordered to commit it is said that he managed to develop guard ran upstairs giving a warning. of the Tennen Rishin-ryu. Shusuke Seppuku due to breaking regulations. the Shinsengumi-Kenjutsu fighting Quickly, Kondo went up to the wasted no time in adopting the young style from the Tennen Rishin-ryu. second floor, and broke into a room Katsugoro in 1849. Strangely, Niimi Nishiki is enshrined through the shoji screen and found in Ryozen Gokoku Shrine by Katsura Kondo and his wife, Otsune, were himself amongst 30 shishi. One of Kogoro. It is rumoured that he may married in 1860. This was an Hijikata’s death poem reads: them blew out the light – suddenly have been a spy from the Choshu han. advantageous match for Kondo; they were alone in the dark. Though Otsune was the daughter of Matsui completely dark, Kondo didn’t Hijikata Toshizo Yasogoro, a retainer to the Shimizu- Hijikata Toshizo, the vice-commander hesitate, and started cutting out at Tokugawa clan. On September 30, of Shinsengumi, was a great the seated Shishi. Other members of Though my 1861, Isami became the fourth swordsman and a talented Japanese the Shinsengumi ran upstairs to help, generation master of Tennen Rishin- military leader who resisted the whilst the rest waited downstairs to ryu, assuming the name Kondo Isami Restoration. Hijikata Toshizo body may catch any Shishi who tried to escape. and taking charge of the Shieikan. There were casualties on both sides: His full name was Hijikata Toshizo Shinsengumi: 1 dead, 2 wounded (one A year later, his daughter Tamako Yoshitoyo, and was born on 31st May, decay on died the next day). (1862–1886) was born. Kondo’s only 1835 in present-day Hino, a suburb The Shishi: 16 dead, 20 were arrested grandson, Kondo Hisataro, was killed of Tokyo. He was the youngest of six the island of that night and the next day. in action in the Russo-Japanese War. children, and his father, a well-to-do farmer, died shortly before his birth. It was a victory for the Shinsengumi Although he was never employed Hijikata’s mother also died when who were outnumbered 3:1. Though by the Shogunate before his Ezo, My he was a young boy, and he was the Kyoto’s inhabitants never could Shinsengumi days, Kondo was a therefore raised by his older brother accept the Shinsengumi, it was candidate for a teaching position at and sister-in-law. spirit guards undeniable that they had done such a the Kobusho in 1862. The Kobusho noble deed for them and their city. was an exclusive military training He was apparently tall compared school, primarily for the use of the to the average Japanese man of This incident made it clear to all that my lord in shogunal retainers, set up by the the period, and was said to have the Shinsengumi were a powerful Shogunate in 1855 in order to reform been spoiled at an early age and force in Kyoto, and to be feared by the the military system after the arrival of was alleged to be mean to all but the east. Sonno Joi ronin. Perry’s Black Ships. his friends and family. This changed

Nagakura Shinpachi Okita Soji

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Nagakura Shinpachi Okita Soji Saito Hajime Nagakura Shinpachi was captain of Captain of the first unit of the Captain of the third unit of the the second unit of the Shinsengumi. Shinsengumi, and one of the best Shinsengumi. He was one of the He was born in the Matsumae clan’s swordsmen along with Saito Hajime few core members who survived upper residence in Edo in 1839. His and Nagakura Shinpachi. the numerous wars of the father, Nagakura Kanji, was a retainer period. He was born to a samurai family in of the Matsumae clan. Like Okita Soji, the Shirakawa domain’s Edo mansion. Saito was born in Musashi Province Nagakura was a true product of the Okita proved to be a prodigy of Edo. Very little is known about his , being the son of a retainer kenjutsu, and he mastered all the early life. He was born to Yamaguchi of a domain he had never seen, and techniques and attained the menkyo Yosuke, an of the Akashi had lived in Edo for his entire life. kaiden scroll in the Tennen Rishin-ryu domain, who had bought the rank At eight, Nagakura entered Okada at the age of eighteen. of gokenin, a low-ranking retainer Jusuke Toshisada’s Shindo Munen- directly serving the Tokugawa It was often said that he was honest, ryu dojo, and by eighteen he received shogun. According to the published polite, and good-natured by those the menkyo kaiden certification. At records, Saito left Edo in 1862, after around him, but he was also known to age nineteen he left the service of accidentally killing a hatamoto. His be a strict and quick-tempered teacher the Matsumae clan in order to travel style of kenjutsu comes apparently to his students at the Shieikan. and improve his technique. He spent from Itto-ryu or Mugai Ryu. some time at Yurimoto Shuzou’s Okita changed his name to Okita Soji As a member of the Shinsengumi, Shinto Munen Ryu dojo, and also at some time before his departure to Saito was said to be an introvert Tsubouchi Shume’s Shingyoto Ryu Kyoto in 1863. He soon became a and a mysterious person. His duties dojo, where he met Shimada Kai, the founding member of the Shinsengumi. included being a kenjutsu instructor. future vice-captain of the Shinsengumi Okita was the second youngest Saito was considered to be on the second unit. Around 1861, he started among the Shieikan members, most same level of swordsmanship as “taking his meals” at Kondo Isami’s likely with Todo Heisuke being the the first unit captainOkita Soji and Shieikan. youngest. He was one of the Shieikan the second unit captain Nagakura members involved in the Serizawa Shinpachi. In fact, it is rumoured that Nagakura became assistant Kamo and the Uchiyama Hikojiro Okita feared his swordskill. vice commander in 1863, then assassinations in 1863. Saito’s heavy drinking is believed to became the captain of the Equally skilled with , bokuto, and have contributed to his death from a second unit in 1865. . His signature technique was stomach ulcer. He died in 1915 at age named the Mumyo-ken (which roughly Right after the Battle of Kishi in 72, sitting in seiza in his living room. April 1868, Nagukura left the old translates as “unenlightened blade”) Shinsengumi with Harada Sanosuke or Sandantsuki which translates as and formed the Seiheitai (after “Three piece thrust”, a technique that disagreements with long-time could attack one’s neck, left shoulder, comrades, Kondo and Hijikata.) and right shoulder with one strike. (The Mumyo-ken supposedly could Nagakura kept memoirs that testify hit all three points simultaneously, first hand to the bloody lifetime of the but this is an embellishment). The Shinsengumi. These memoirs were Mumyo-ken was his own invention lost for decades before being found and may have been derived from an Sources: and published in book form in 1998. invention of Hijikata’s, the Hiratsuki. http://asianhistory.about.com/od/glossaryae/g/ bakufuglos.htm

In 1865, Okita became the captain of http://www.flickr.com/groups/shinsengumi/ the first unit of theShinsengumi and later that year, he was appointed by http://inukoproject.tripod.com/Hunter/shinsen2.html Kondo Isami to be the fifth master of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikedaya_Incident the Tennen Rishin-ryu after him. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinsengumi Members of the Shinsengumi’s graves at the Mibu temple in Kyoto. One of the more famous graves is that of Serizawa Kamo. 24 | CUTTING EDGE CUTTING EDGE | 25