Ryōma was a lone wolf figure, working beyond clan loyalties for his vision of a unified, modern Japan. More importantly, the anti-shogunate activist Sakamoto Ryōma was a frequent customer here. Here in June 1864, the Shinsengumi attacked a member of the Tosa clan by mistake! They actually thought he was a Chōshū clan member, and later one of the Shinsengumi would have to commit seppuku (ritual suicide) to apologize for their error. There is a large 400 year old cherry tree outside which makes it fairly easy to spot.
Look out for the Akebono Tei teahouse on your right. With its beautifully preserved tea-houses this is one of the prettiest areas in Kyoto. The Akebono Tei Teahouse – image © Michael Lambeĭescending from Kiyomizu-dera Temple, go down Sannen-zaka lane. In legend however, they are remembered as idealistic young men caught on the wrong side of history. Initially employed to police the capital and keep the peace, they in fact became a ruthless band of assassins. Both sides were prepared to die for their beliefs.Īlthough the Shinsengumi were ultimately on the losing side in this conflict, their fame as tragic heroes lives on. On the other hand the Shinsengumi were an elite group of swordsmen sworn to defend the shogunate. They wanted a new system of government with the emperor restored as head of state. The Chōshū clan were imperialist and anti-shogunate. The Shinsengumi and the Chōshū clan were just two of many groups caught up in these years of turmoil, but they fairly represent the two political extremes.
However, the national government had become weak and regional clans wanted change. For over 250 years the Tokugawa Shoguns had presided over a feudal military government. In Japan, the period between 18 was a time of intense civil strife now known as the Bakumatsu: the end of the Tokugawa shogunate. Katsura Kogorō (right) was a key figure in the Chōshū clan – images Public Domain Kondō Isami (left) was the leader of the Shinsengumi.
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