Kondō Isami
The Shinsengumi were led by Serizawa Kamo (b. 1830, Mino Province), Niimi Nishiki, and Kondō Isami (b. 1834, Musashi Province – he came from a small dojo in Edo called "Shieikan"). The Shinsengumi submitted a letter to the Aizu clan, another powerful group who supported the Tokugawa regime, requesting permission to police Kyoto. The request was granted.