Nagakura Shinpachi

Nagakura Shinpachi (永倉 新八, May 23, 1839 – January 5, 1915) was the former captain of the 2nd troop of the Shinsengumi, He was later known as Sugimura Yoshie (杉村 義衛) during the Meiji era.
As implied in the Hakuōki franchise, Nagakura is one of the few Shinsengumi members who survived the main events and died of natural causes. 
==Background==
Nagakura Shinpachi Noriyuki, also known as Eikichi or Eiji during his childhood, was born on May 23, 1839, in the upper residence ("kami-yashiki") of the Matsumae clan in Edo. His father, Nagakura Kanji, served as a retainer for the Matsumae clan and received a stipend of 150 koku. Similar to Okita Sōji, Nagakura was a true product of the Edo period, having been born as the son of a retainer in Edo and having spent his entire life there.
Initially, Nagakura's father spelled the family name with the meaning "long" ("naga"), but Nagakura later changed it to the meaning "eternity." At the age of eight, Nagakura began training at Okada Juusuke Toshisada's Shindō Munen-ryū dojo (sword school). By the age of eighteen, he had reached the mokuroku level (6th dan) and obtained the menkyo kaiden certification. At nineteen, Nagakura left the service of the Matsumae clan to embark on a journey to improve his martial arts skills. He spent some time at Yurimoto Shuuzou's Shintō Munen Ryu dojo and also trained at Tsubouchi Shume's Shingyoto Ryu dojo, where he met Shimada Kai, who would later become the vice-captain of the Shinsengumi's 2nd unit. Around 1861, Nagakura began frequenting Kondō Isami's Shieikan, becoming part of the group.
==Shinsengumi==
In 1863, during the Bunkyū 3 era, Nagakura and Kondō joined the Rōshigumi. However, upon their arrival in Kyoto, the Rōshigumi was swiftly disbanded. While the majority of the Rōshigumi members returned to Edo, Nagakura, Kondō, Hijikata Toshizō, Serizawa Kamo, and a group of nineteen members decided to stay in Kyoto.
The Mibu Rōshigumi was established under the leadership of Kondō and Serizawa, organized by Matsudaira Higo no Kami (Katamori) of Aizu, who held the position of Kyoto Shugoshoku (Kyoto Protector). Following the events of September 18, 1863, the group adopted the name Shinsengumi. In 1863, Nagakura assumed the role of fukuchou jokin (assistant vice commander).
During the Ikedaya incident on July 8, 1864, Nagakura was part of a ten-member team led by Kondō that raided the Ikedaya Inn. Other notable members involved included Okita Sōji and Tōdō Heisuke. Nagakura sustained a severe wound to his left thumb and his sword was broken during the battle. One month later, on August 20, 1864, he participated in the Kinmon incident alongside Kondō, Okita, and several others. Their objective was to suppress the Chōshū rebellion at the Hamaguri Gate of the Imperial Palace.
Subsequently, Nagakura became the captain of the 2nd unit in 1865. Along with the rest of the Shinsengumi, he attained the status of hatamoto (a high ranking samurai in the direct service of the Tokugawa Bakufu) in June 1867."幕臣取り立て 新選組概史 歴史館-動乱の章". Archived from the original on 2013-08-16. Retrieved 2007-05-26.
On December 13, 1867, Nagakura, along with Harada Sanosuke and other Shinsengumi members, was involved in the Aburanokōji incident. This incident entailed an ambush of the Goryō Eji Kōdai-ji (Guardians of the Imperial Tomb) faction led by Itō Kashitarō. The faction consisted of a small group of Shinsengumi defectors. During the ambush, seven of the defectors, who were attempting to retrieve Itō's body left as a trap, were killed. The remaining four managed to escape.
Nagakura had a daughter named Iso (磯) with a geisha from Shimabara Kameya in Kyoto. The geisha was known by her stage name Kotsune (小常). Sadly, she passed away shortly after giving birth in December 1867. Due to the approaching Boshin War, Nagakura was unable to attend her burial. However, he arranged for his infant daughter to be raised by Kotsune's sister, who resided in a village near Kyoto called Fudoson. Believing he would never see his daughter again, Nagakura provided the family with 50 ryo to cover the child's expenses.
==Boshin War==
On January 27, 1868, during the Battle of Toba-Fushimi in Kyoto, Nagakura displayed immense courage by leading a suicide squad known as the Kesshitai. Fearlessly, he charged into the midst of the Imperial Army, brandishing his sword despite the hail of bullets.
Following the Battle of Kōshū-Katsunuma in April 1868, Nagakura and Harada Sanosuke decided to part ways with the Kōyō Chinbutai, which was the new name given to the reformed Shinsengumi under Kondō and Hijikata. Their departure stemmed from disagreements with their longtime comrades. According to Nagakura, Kondō wished for the surviving members to become his retainers, but Nagakura, Harada, and a few others staunchly refused to comply.Ōishi, p. 200 As a result, Nagakura and Harada, along with some other members, joined forces with a group of former Tokugawa retainers led by Haga Gidou to establish a new unit called the Seiheitai.Kikuchi, p. 228.
Shortly after the surrender of Edo Castle, Nagakura and the Seiheitai unit departed from Edo. They engaged in several battles against the Imperial forces, including the Battle of Utsunomiya Castle and skirmishes in Imaichi. Their intention was to head north, aiming to participate in the ongoing conflicts moving toward Aizu. However, upon learning of the surrender of the Aizu Domain, Nagakura and his unit made the decision to return to Edo.
==Death==
Sugimura Yoshie (the name Nagakura Shinpachi took after getting married to Sugimura Kine and getting adopted into her family) passed away on January 5, 1915 (Taisho 4), at the age of seventy-six. The cause of his death was periostitis resulting from caries and sepsis. His last words was "Kui wa nai (悔いはない, No regrets)". In accordance with his wishes, Sugimura was laid to rest at the Grave of Shinsengumi in Itabashi, Tokyo.
==References==
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Category:Historical counterparts