壬生義士伝
When the Last Sword Is Drawn
The Shinsengumi (新選組, new selected group) was a samurai protection force (1863-1869) who fought for the shogunate and thus against the supporters of the Tenno in the Edo period. It is the last known samurai militia that was active in Kyoto.
This militia was initially called Mibu Rōshi (壬生浪士 "Rōnin from Mibu" or Mibu-rō (壬生浪) for short), where Mibu was a district of Kyōto in which the group was originally stationed. Another very similar writing 狼生狼 was used with the same pronunciation, meaning "wolves of Mibu", as an insult.
Their banner carried the symbol 誠 (makoto, Japanese for loyalty).
The farmer's daughter Shizu is to be the concubine of a higher-ranking samurai. However, she is friends with Yoshimura and flees to him.
The Shinsengumi leaders have a photo taken. They buy one for the odd Yoshimura.
Original Title: 壬生義士伝 Mibu Gishi Den
Legend of the Loyal Retainers of Mibu
Published: 2002
Time: 137 minutes
Staff
Director: Yōjirō Takita
Script: Takehiro Nakajima
Based upon "Mibu gishi den (When the last sword is drawn)" by Jiro Asada (2000)
Music: Joe Hisaishi
Cast
Kiichi Nakai — Yoshimura Kanichiro
Kōichi Satō — Saitō Hajime
Yui Natsukawa — Shizu/Mitsu
Takehiro Murata — Ono Chiaki
Miki Nakatani — Nui
Yuji Miyake — Ohno Jiroemon
Eugene Nomura — Hijikata Toshizo
An elderly man takes his grandson to the doctor (1899). The practice has actually already closed because the doctor will move to Manchuria. Inmidst of the moving goods is a photo of a former member of the Shinsengumi, who the elderly man recognizes. He himself, Saitō Hajime (played by Kōichi Satō), also served in this militia and was initially an enemy of the man in the photo, a certain Yoshimura Kanichiro (played by Kiichi Nakai).
The film tells the story of these two Shinsengumi samurai. Saitō Hajime is a heartless murderer. Yoshimura Kanichiro seems like a stingy swordsman. He comes from the Nambu Morioka region in northern Japan and is overly friendly to everyone. He is constantly after the money to support his impoverished family in the distant home.
The plot is told in a series of nested flashbacks in which Saitō and the doctor remember. The main theme is loyalty to the clan, the feudal lord and the family.
It is a sword film with bloodthirsty scenes but also with depth in the interpersonal relationships.
The film is based on historical events and is worth watching. Because of the complex historical background and the numerous flashbacks, it is not easy for Westerners to follow the course of the plot.
At the Japanese Academy Awards 2004 it was the best film, received the award for the best leading role (Kiichi Nakai) and the award for the best supporting role (Kōichi Satō).
Historical background
The forced but continuous opening of Japan from 1860, which began with the arrival of Matthew Perry, caused much controversy among the population. As a result, various military movements emerged that caused great unrest in the country. Some fought for the opening of Japan and the associated maintenance of power of the Tokugawa shogunate, which had ensured peace in the country and cultural development for 250 years. Others demanded that power be returned to the Tennō, the Japanese emperor, and thus voted against Western foreign countries.
Since the Shogun was to travel to Kyoto for the first time in 230 years on February 13, 1863, the Shogunate recruited over 200 swordsmen under the motto "loyalty and patriotism". They were supposed to fight the riots and mostly keep the samurai who opposed the shogun at bay.
More information about Shinsengumi on Wikipedia.