Saitō Hajime

Saitō Hajime (斎藤 一), born Yamaguchi Hajime (山口 一), was a prominent samurai in the late Edo period of Japan. He gained widespread recognition as the captain of the third unit within the Shinsengumi, an influential group during that era. Remarkably, he managed to survive the numerous conflicts that defined the Bakumatsu period.
In later years, Saitō adopted the name Fujita Gorō and transitioned into a career as a police officer in Tokyo during the Meiji Restoration. He played a significant role in law enforcement, particularly working undercover for both the government and the Japanese authorities. His contributions were instrumental in maintaining order and stability during this transformative period in Japan's history.
As shown in the Hakuōki franchise, Saitō was a mysterious young man who spoke little but whose presence intimidated both friends and enemies. He was responsible for finding spies among the Shinsengumi (which included infiltrating Itō Kashitarō's group). 
==Background==
Saitō Hajime was born in Edo, Musashi Province (present-day Tokyo). Little information is available about his early life. He was born as Yamaguchi Hajime to his parents, Yamaguchi Yūsuke and his wife Masu.Itō, "Takada kinshin kara Tonami zaijūroku," p. 145 His father was an ashigaru, a foot soldier, in the service of the Akashi Domain, and he held the rank of gokenin, a low-ranking retainer serving the Tokugawa shōgun. Saitō had an older brother named Hiroaki and an older sister named Katsu.
According to the records of his family, Saitō left Edo in 1862 after unintentionally causing the death of a hatamoto, a direct retainer of the shōgun. He traveled to Kyoto and began teaching at the dōjō (training hall) of a man named Yoshida.Itō, "Shinsengumi kessei made," p. 40. Yoshida had relied on Saitō's father, Yūsuke, in the past. The exact style of swordsmanship Saitō practiced is not clear. According to a tradition passed down by his descendants, his style derived from Ittō-ryū, the "One Sword Style." However, Saitō's swordsmanship is generally considered to be of the Mugai Ryū, originating from Yamaguchi Ittō-ryū. He is also believed to have studied Tsuda Ichi-den-ryū and Sekiguchi-ryū.Akama Wako,Shinsengumi Saitō Hajime No Nazo(Japanese), Sinjinbutuouraisha,pp. 52–57
^ Name reading as per Tōdō, p. 198.
==Shinsengumi==
Saitō Hajime was part of Kondō Isami's faction of Mibu Rōshigumi. He was known for his exceptional swordsmanship and was among the youngest members of the group, along with Okita Sōji and Tōdō Heisuke. Saitō was introverted and often regarded as a mysterious individual, a common description of his personality says he "was not a man predisposed to small talk".
Physically, Saitō was unusually tall, standing at 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm), and he carried himself with great dignity, particularly in his later years. He paid careful attention to his appearance, ensuring his obi (sash) was properly tied and walking without dragging his feet. Even at rest, he maintained a formal posture called seiza and remained alert, ready to react to any situation.
Saitō was known to be intimidating when necessary, especially in his role as Captain of the Third Squad in the Shinsengumi. He was responsible for identifying potential spies within their ranks, making members cautious about what they said in his presence.
Initially, Saitō held the position of Assistant Vice Commander within the Shinsengumi and served as a kenjutsu instructor. During the Ikedaya Incident in July 1864, he joined Hijikata Toshizō's group, which arrived later at the Ikedaya Inn. Saitō also participated in the Kinmon Incident against Chōshū rebels in August 1864 and received recognition from the Bakufu for his involvement.
In April 1865, Saitō became the Captain of the Third Unit at the Shinsengumi's new headquarters in Nishi Hongan-ji. His swordsmanship skills were considered on par with Okita Sōji, the Captain of the First Unit, and Nagakura Shinpachi, the Captain of the Second Unit. It is rumored that Okita even feared Saitō's swordsmanship abilities.
Controversy surrounds Saitō's role as a spy within the Shinsengumi. While some accounts claim he executed corrupt members of the group, there are disputes regarding his involvement in the deaths of Tani Sanjūrō in 1866 and Takeda Kanryūsai in 1867.Name reading as per Tōdō, p. 198. It is also uncertain whether he acted as an internal spy, as some sources suggest he was instructed to join Itō Kashitarō's splinter group, the Goryō Eji Kōdai-ji faction (Guardians of the Imperial Tomb), to gather intelligence. This eventually led to the Aburanokōji Incident in December 1867. Different perspectives exist on Saitō's role, with Abe Jūrō, for instance, rejecting the idea that he was a spy. It is likely that he participated in intelligence gathering and monitored enemy activity.
In 1867, Saitō and the rest of the Shinsengumi attained the rank of hatamoto. In late December 1867, Saitō and a group of six Shinsengumi members were assigned to protect Miura Kyūtarō, a major suspect in the assassination of Sakamoto Ryōma. On January 1, 1868, they confronted sixteen assassins seeking revenge at the Tenmaya Inn, resulting in the Tenmaya Incident.
==Boshin War==
During the Boshin War that began in January 1868, Saitō, using the name Yamaguchi Jirō, fought alongside the Shinsengumi in the Battle of Toba–Fushimi and the Battle of Kōshū-Katsunuma. After retreating to Edo and subsequently to the Aizu domain, Saitō assumed command of the Aizu Shinsengumi around May 26, 1868, participating in the Battle of Shirakawa. Following the Battle of Bonari Pass, when Hijikata decided to retreat from Aizu, Saitō and a small group of 20 members separated from Hijikata and the other surviving Shinsengumi members. They continued to fight alongside the Aizu army against the imperial forces until the Battle of Aizu's conclusion. The account of this separation is recorded in Kuwana retainer Taniguchi Shirōbei's diary, which also involves Ōtori Keisuke, whom Hijikata requested to assume command of the Shinsengumi. However, there are discrepancies regarding the dates associated with this separation.
At the Battle of Nyorai-dō, Saitō and the remaining Shinsengumi members fought against the imperial army at Nyorai-dō, a small temple near Aizuwakamatsu Castle, where they were greatly outnumbered.Kikuchi, "Saitō Hajime no Aizu-sensō", pp. 126–130. It was believed that Saitō perished during this battle; however, he managed to return to the Aizu lines and joined the Aizu domain's military as a member of the Suzakutai. After the fall of Aizuwakamatsu Castle, Saitō and the five surviving members joined a group of former Aizu retainers who traveled southwest to the Takada Domain in Echigo Province, where they became prisoners of war. In the records listing the Aizu men detained in Takada, Saitō is recorded under the name Ichinose Denpachi. Itō, "Takada kinshin kara Tonami zaijūroku", pp. 137–138.
==Death==
Saitō, under the new name Fujita Gorō (藤田 五郎), died in 1915 at age 72, sitting in seiza in his living room. Heavy drinking was believed to have contributed to his death from a stomach ulcer.Itō, p. 242. Upon his will, he was buried at Amidaji, Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima, Japan.
==Notes==
==References==
* Kikuchi Akira (2003). "Saitō Hajime no Aizu-sensō," pp. 110–135 in Shinsengumi Saitō Hajime no Subete. (Tokyo: Shin Jinbutsu Ōraisha).
* Itō Tetsuya (2003). "Saitō Hajime nenfu," p. 223-243 in Shinsengumi Saitō Hajime no Subete. (Tokyo: Shin Jinbutsu Ōraisha).
* Itō Tetsuya (2003). "Takada kinshin kara Tonami zaijūroku," pp. 136–149 in Shinsengumi Saitō Hajime no Subete. (Tokyo: Shin Jinbutsu Ōraisha).
* Nagaya Yoshie (2003). "Saitō Hajime no shūhen (shutsuji to sono kakeizu)," pp. 27–37 in Shinsengumi Saitō Hajime no Subete. (Tokyo: Shin Jinbutsu Ōraisha).
* Shinsengumi Encyclopedia. Tokyo: Shin Jinbutsu Oraisha, 1978.
* Tōdō Toshihisa (2003). "Saitō Hajime kanren jinbutsu jiten," pp. 193–206 in Shinsengumi Saitō Hajime no Subete. (Tokyo: Shin Jinbutsu Ōraisha).
* Yamamura Tatsuya (1998). Shinsengumi Kenkyaku-Den. Tokyo: PHP Interface. ISBN 4-569-60176-6
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Category:Historical counterparts