Saitou Hajime’s Detailed Timeline

I’ve finally finished Saitou’s timeline! Most of the information below was taken from Saitou Hajime no Subete and crossed checked with Shizuko Akama’s books and the “Shinsengumi Reader”. I did not use online sources although I do point some I’ve come across in the comments at times. Although i tried to translate as well as I can, please let me remind you that I make no guarantees aside from this was done in good faith with very little changes since some were a bit repetitive. Please take care in the names as I usually find more than one translation for a title or name. All the dates are based on lunar calendar. If you find any mistakes, please do not hesitate to contact me but please have your source ready as well. Thank you.

This one is dedicated to an old friend who first requested a timeline for Saitou months ago in this thread . I apologize I wasn’t able to complete this until now and only gave bits and pieces. Hopefully this will get me back into finishing other articles in my “to finish” folder. I can’t believe I’m back to doing this stuff.

Year Month Event
1844 2-Jan He is born in Edo to an Akashi feudal soldier named Yamaguchi Yuusuke who bought “Gokenin-kabu”, which allowed Yuusuke to be a direct vassal to the Tokugawa Shogunate
1846 15-Apr Takagi Tokio who becomes his second wife is born
1862 He kills a “Hatamoto”, a direct retainer of the shogun and escapes to Kyoto
In the Yoshida dojo in Kyoto he learns Shoutoku Taishi Ryu
Recently, he changes his name from Yamaguchi Hajime to Saitou Hajime
While going back and forth to Kondou Isami’s dojo, the Shieikan, Saitou says that he gave an unsigned Kotetsu to Kondou
1863 January He trained with Kondou and company at the Shieikan gym
5-Feb Kondou goes to the Koishikawa Denzu-in Temple and submits a list of names for Shogunate’s recruitment of Roshis.
8-Feb Departs with Serizawa Kamo who was the group leader of forerunner group from Koishikawa Denzu-in Temple of Edo, however there is another theory that he is already in Kyoto
23-Feb Saitou who later joined the Roshigumi who entered Kyoto uses Nanbu Kamejirou’s home for lodging
10-Mar Saitou and others submit a petition to the Daimyo of Aizu, Matsudaira Katamori to allow the Roshi to remain and conduct business
12-Mar The residual applicants of the Roshigumi who remained in Kyoto becomes a subordinate in the Aizu clan and Saitou is included
15-Mar Saitou and 20 names visit the Shugoshaku Yashiki (Protection Employment Mansion) to have an audience with Katamori but the Daimyo was absent
22-Mar Saitou in an 18 name joint signature submit the Shougun Touki Nantei (Opposition) petition to Itakura Katsukiyo
25-Mar Along with Shiro Honda, an Aizu feudal soldier they visit Mibu Kyougen (Mibu drama play)
8-Apr He attends a funeral service of Yagi Gennojou
16-Apr After receiving an audience with Matsudaira Katamori in the clan mansion, a contest demonstration was held in front of the Daimyo (Gozenjiai) where he was matched against Nagakura Shinpachi Noriyuki
17-Apr In the capital Inoue Matsugorou held a feast for Saitou and company
21-Apr He goes to Osaka to act as a guard to the Shogun and stays at the Kyoya
25-May Submits to the Tokugawa bakufu the Kusai Minato Nitsuite Petition
Saitou starts his position as group leader (Kumigashira)
2-Jun Receiving an information of a quitting Roshi, Saitou of the Mibu Roshigumi goes to Osaka to apprehend
3-Jun It arrested the quitting Roshi and after was on a boat, but Saitou gets a stomach ache and they disembarked on land where a local wrestler and some other party of Roshi caused the confused fighting incident
10-Jun A farewell sake party is held for Inoue Matsuguou who is returning to Edo
18-Aug Acted as a guard in the imperial residence at Sakaichou of Kyoutogosho and also the South Gate
Saitou and the the Roshigumi receives official appointment as Shinsengumi by the Bukedenzou
21-Aug Saitou a Shinsengumi was given authorization for “city control”
Aug (end of) Saitou and company arrest a burglar at Shijou Horikawa rice shop
18-Sep A feast is held in the corner shop in Shimabara
Serizawa Kamo’s Shinto funeral was conducted
25-Sep The Shinsengumi corps including Saitou receives imperial grant money from the court because of their assignment to the Imperial Palace South Gate defense on August 18
Saburo Echigo who is a Choshu Spy that is a Shinsengumi Taishi, Mikura Isetake and company planned an assasination attempt on Nagakura’s life and others while they were going to Gion to visit a brothel, it was not carried out because they with Saitou
26-Sep Saitou subjugated/attacked Mikura Isetake, Arakida Samanosuke and Kusunoki Kojuurou. Mikura Isetake a Choshu spy is killed
1864 2-Jan He goes to Osaka to act as a guard to the Shogun and the Tokugawa family
8-Jan He enters the castle of Shogun Iemochi in Osaka providing security
14-Jan He goes frm Osaka to Fushimi as guard and escort to the Shogun
15-Jan Acts as guard to Shogun Iemochi in his entry to Nijoujou (castle in Kyoto)
11-Mar Enjoys the hanami (cherry blossom viewing) in Chibeniman Murasaki-rou of Shimabara
7-May When the Shogun Iemochi returns to Edo, it guards along Osaka
June Saitou starts in the duty of Fukuchou Jokin (sub-leader assistant)
5-Jun He is with Hijikata Toshizou’s group that arrives later to the Ikedaya. Saitou slays the group who plotted to overthrow the Shogunate receiving 17 ryo afterwards as merit award.
In this Ikedaya incident, he used his sword Ikeda Kishimaru Kunishige
6-Jun He returned to Mibu headquarters by daytime
26-Jun Saitou of the Shinsengumi and company goes to the front upon receiving the request of Kamatori to face the Choshu Army who was proceeding to the capital
19-Jul A battle ensues at Hamaguri between Choshu and the Shogunate, known as the Kinmon no hen incident or the Hamaguri Rebellion
20-Jul He and others head for Tennozan Hill, stayed in Fushimi overnight
21-Jul It climbs the Tennozan with Kondou and Nagakura to subjugate the enemy troops that fled
23-Jul He goes to Osaka and attacks the Choshuu clan’s storehouse
24-Jul After the hunt in Osaka, he returns to the capital by the Sanjuu Ishifune (boat) of Hachiken-ya
25-Jul Takes the responsibility of patrolling the city under the control of the Osaka magistrate
4-Aug Saitou receives the 17 ryo as reward money for participation in the Ikeday incident back in June 5
Aug (end of) With six people including Nagakura and Harada, they submit a petition against Kondou Isami’s despotism to Aizu
Saitou and the others were not punished but one other loyal retainer took the responsibility
November The Gougun record was created and Saitou was drawn up as the Yonbangumi-chou (4th group head)
17-Nov It receives the award from the Shogunate for their service in the Hamaguri Rebellion (Kinmon no hen Incident) which occurred on July 19
1865 Feb (end of) Along with Hijikata and Inoue, he negotiated the move of the headquarters to Nishi-Hongan-ji
March Was appointed as kendo instructor
March (early) Headquarters is moved to the Nishi-Hongan-ji
21-Mar Goes to Edo with Hijikata Toshizou and Itou Kashitarou for new Taishi recruitment
April The Shinsengumi Taishi register of names, “Ibunroku” is drawn up
5-Apr Saitou and company arrive at Edo
27-Apr They leave Edo with 52 new recruits
9-May They stay at the Kusatsu-ya
10-May Arrives in Kyoto
May “Hensei Omote” is drawn up and Saitou is now head of the 3rd troop and is still a Kendo instructor
22-May The Shogun and Tokugawa family are guarded from Osaka to Nijo Castle in Kyoto
24-May Guards the Shogun Tokugawa Iemochi to Osaka goinb by way of Fujimori (Fuji forest)
July “Eimeiroku” was drawn up it recorded those who came from Edo
September Inoue Genzaburou wrote to Matsugorou that Saitou and the other executives were safe
In the second “Kougunroku” (record) he is recoded as head of spear troop
4-Oct The Shogun goes to an opening of a port in Hyougo and he was an escort/guard
3-Oct (note: unsure if this date is a typo but presenting it as it is)
Matsudaira Katamori persuades the Shogun to abandon his resignation and Saitou and the others guard the trip to Nijo Castle
1866 28-Sep Takeda Kanryuusai plans to escape and a sake party is held.
25-Dec The Imperial Prince Nakagawa gives 20 silver ryo to the Shinsengumi Taishi
1867 3-Jan Saitou is invited by Itou Kashitarou and they drink all night with Nagakura for several days in a corner shop in Shimabara
4-Jan Kishin (penitance/punishment) was ordered when they returned to the Headquarters
January Upon approaching Sanjou Oohashi (Shijoo) bridge, Saitou and others cross swords with Totsukawa country samurai Nakai Shougorou and Tosa feudal retainer Nasu Sakari (Sakai?)
10-Mar Itou who was scheming to separate from the Shinsengumi offers that he be accompanied by Saitou or Nagakura to Kondou
13-Mar Itou’s faction to which Saitou now belonged as a spy (debatable theory) was ordered to guard Emperor Komei’s Imperial Mausoleum
Ito discusses with Kondou and Hijikata, and the two accepted Itou’s separation/independence
20-Mar Saitou who joins the Imperial tomb guard, searches for lodgings and transfers to Sanjou Juanji
21-Mar Saitou then moves to Gojou Zenritsuji
1-Apr Tani Sanjuurou was killed with a knife/sword.
There is a theory that Saitou killed Tani
8-Jun The Kodaiji faction (Itou’s faction) moves from Koudaiji to a sub-temple, Kodaiji Tsukishin-in
22-Jun Takeda Kanryuusai assasination and it is said that Saitou killed him
Jun (end of) Saitou who had transferred to the Imperial Mausoleum guard is not recorded in the register of names of those who transferred from the Shinsengumi
The Imperial Mauseleum Guard serves under the magistrate Toda Yamatomori Tadashi and gets the support of the Satsuma Domain
14-Oct The Kodaiji party visits the Yanagihara mansion to ask for the punishment of Hironori (Hirosuke?) of Choshuu
Saitou reports to Kondo the visit to Yanagihara mansion of the Kodaiji party, the secret talk with Okubo Toshimichi and the assasination attempt to Kondou’s life
10-Nov Saitou leaves the Koudaiji faction and returns to the Shinsengumi headquarters in Fudou village
Kondou who doubted the assasination of Sakamoto Ryoma left Saitou in the vicinity to help guard Miura Yasutarou from Kishuu-han
Saitou starts using the false name Yamaguchi Jirou
In “Kyoto Yori Aizu made Ninzuu” it is recorded that Yamaguchi Jirou (Saitou) is once again acting as Fukuchou Jokin
18-Nov The main force of the Kodaiji faction including Ito was assasinated
Kondou points out to the Shinsengumi the return of Saitou who at that time was guarding Miura
7-Dec Although Saitou was guarding Miura with nine people at the Tenma-ya, the remnants of the Umi Tasuku-tai applies a night attack
Saitou was able to protect Miura without dying by the help of Umedo Katsunoshin another Shinsengumi Taishi, who saved his life
The dead in that attack included Nakai Shougorou who had fought Saitou in Sanjou Obashi bridge before
In the Shinsengumi side, Miyagawa Nobukichi dies
This is the Tenma-ya incident
9-Dec Because of the Tenmaya event and the Aburanokouji scandal, the abolition of the Shinsengumi became clamorous and the whole unit under went re-organization and group name as Shin Yuugekitai (New Commando unit – Kizu is unsure if this is a new official name for the Shinsengumi)
12-Dec Shogun Tokugawa Yoshinobu goes from Kyoto to Osaka and orders the defense of Nijo castle
13-Dec The confrontation between the Mito Clan and the Shinsengumi is caused because Yoshinobu ordered the guard of Nijo castle to the Mito clan
Since the new group name of the Shinsengumi has become Shin Yuugekitai, Saitou and the others refused to become the subordinate of the Kyoto Mimawarigumi
14-Dec According to Hisashi Nagai, they leave Kyoto and head to Osaka’s Kitano Tenmangu for encampment
16-Dec They are ordered to patrol Fushimi and stays at the Fushimi magistrate place
25-Dec Owari feudal soldier Arakawa and others asked for retirement because the Fushimi magistrate place was requested of Saitou and the Shinsengumi
28-Dec 185 ryo was distributed to all the members of the Shinsengumi Taishi including Saitou as an extra allowance
1868 3-Jan Higo feudal retainer Sakurada Soushirou and others demand the withdrawal of the Shinsengumi from Fushimi
The fight of Toba-Fushimi and Boshin war breaks out because the Satsuma Domain bombarded the Gokounomiya (place) Kyuuboku (old government army)
4-Jan Saitou and the Shinsengumi fights the new government army along the Toba highway
It is because the Yodo han refused the entrance of the old Shogunate troop into the castle fortress
5-Jan A fierce battle happened in the embankment of Yodogawa and many Shinsengumi are killed and wounded, they withdraw to Hashimoto
6-Jan Saitou and Nagakura takes their positions at the side of Yawata mountain and fights with the Satsuma soldiers
The burning of a home in Yawata was not complete, Saitou sends out a scout to for communication however Hijikata and the Aizu soldiers had already retreated.
Saitou who returns to the camp in Hashimoto was surrounded by the New Government Army, however he is able to overcome their forces and escape to Osaka
7-Jan Although Saitou’s Shinsengumi enters the Castle of Osaka, the foot of the castle wall was on fire and they were forced to withdraw to the Hachiken Kyouya Chubee house
Eventually at Osaka castle the Shinsengumi Taishi of Saitou were provided with 155 ryo
9-Jan Nagakura and the others embark on the Jundou Maru (Jun’ugo Maru) sailing in Tempozan sea towards Edo
10-Jan The others including Kondou and company embarks on Fuji-san maru (Fujimaru) sailing in Tempozan sea towards Edo
It is not recorded where (what ship) Saitou embarked on.
12-Jan Jundou Maru enters Shinagawa
15-Jan Fujimaru enters Shinagawa and 63 people stays at the Kamaya.
The wounded soldiers including Kondou heads for the medicine clinic of Matsumoto Ryoujun
Saitou stays first at the Kamaya but then proceeds to the medicine clinic
18-Jan Allowance is paid to the Shinsengumi who took encampment in the Kamaya
19-Jan Saitou receives treatment for a slight injury in the clinic at Izumibashi (Matsumoto Ryoujun)
27-Jan Saitou and the rest who received treatment at the clinic in Izumibashi, with the exception of Kondo and Okita, moves to the medicine pavillion
28-Jan Saitou whose treatment for his injury ended, moves to Ukyounosuke’s home in Kaji Hashikado
12-Feb Kondou Isami and the Shinsengumi receives instructions to guard Tokugawa Yoshinobu who was going to Edo castle
13-Feb Allowance money was paid to the Shinsengumi Taishi like Saitou and company because they acted as Yoshinobu’s guards
15-Feb Saitou and other Shinsengumi Taishi acts as a guard to former Shogun Tokugawa Yoshinobu
25-Feb Saitou and company finishes the duty of acting as Yoshinobu’s guards
27-Feb Saitou and the Shinsengumi received 2,394 ryo from the Tokugawa bakufu for their dispatch in Koushuu
28-Feb The Shinsengumi is ordered for departure for the front for the pacification of Koushuu and an allowance was provided
50 ryo was paid to Shinkichi Miyagawa who was under Saitou’s command when he was killed in the Tenma-ya store incident of miura of the Kishuu clan
1-Mar Shinsengumi was renamed to Koyou Chibuntai when they sent their troops from Edo to Koshuu
Saitou ‘s position in the Kouyou Chibuntai was Fukuchou Jokin
The Koyou Chibuntai along with Saitou stays at Shinjuku Naito
2-Mar Kooyou Chibuntai puts up at two separate lodgings in Hachioji and Fuchu
3-Mar On this day they encamped at Yose inn
4-Mar They encamped at Koma-umakai (Komaka?) inn
Saitou and the others hears the news that Itagaki Taisuke has led the New Government Army’s succesful entry into Koufu castle
Saitou who heard the invasion of Koufu castle, doesn’t want to fight along with Nagakura and Harada if there were no reinforcements from those who lived in the vicinity
Kondou and Hijikata requests assistance from the Aizu han to send Aizu soldiers as reinforcements
5-Mar Saitou of the Koyou Chibuntai is in battle formation in Katsunuma
Saitou defends the Kannonzaka bypass in between Tsuruse and katsunuma
The Koyou Chibunta was in a desperate fight at Kashio, Kondou Isami had Saitou and his group pull out towards Edo because the reinforcements they requested from Aizu and nearby village did not arrive
The effect of this is described and they are pushed back to Hachioji
9-Mar Saitou of the Koyou Chibuntai moves backward to hachioji
10-Mar Saitou of the Kouyou Chibuntai headed to Edo as it was unlikely the reinforcements would arrive anymore, they passed through Hino at night time because the New Government Troops had used local allies in the Koshuu area
11-Mar Saitou’s Kouyou Chibuntai arrives in Edo
12-Mar Nagakura, Harada and two others Saitou Hajime and Ogato Shuntarou remained, while kumebe Masachika took the injured soldiers of the Shinsengumi to Aizu
Saitou at this time is not included in this group of injured soldiers brought to Aizu
13-Mar The remaining Shinsengumi soldiers gather at Gohei Shinden Masako house
It has been recorded in the story “Isamu Kondo in Ayase-son”, in the past of Kaneko “at 35 Yamaguchi who seems to be a good natured man and samurai of 6 years”
It’s not certain whether it talks about Saitou as the age is different by one year and the name does not come out
2-Apr They leave Gohei Shinden and setup encampment in Nagareyama
4-Apr Since Kondou Isami surrendered to the New Government Army the previous day, the remaining Shinsengumi squad in Nagareyama disarmed itself and went to Aizu
28-Apr The Shinsengumi encamped in Aktasu inn going by way of Shirakawa from Nagareyama
29-Apr The Shinsengumi and Hijikata arrives and joins Aizu
At this time there is no proof that Saitou was participating in both
repeat month 5-Apr Matsudaira Katamori has an audience with the Shinsengumi, Saitou as one of the Captain’s of the Shinsengumi is ordered to go to the front, to Shirakawa district
6-Apr Saitou leads the Shinsengumi and departs from Aizu Wakamatsu to the front and encamps at Akatsu inn
21-Apr The Shinsengumi goes to the front aiming for Shirakawa Castle from Sandai
22-Apr Shinsengumi encamps at Shirakawa Komine Jouka inn
23-Apr The Shinsengumi defends the Shirasaka Kanmon (Shirasaka barrier)
25-Apr The New government army attacks the Shirasaka barrier
26-Apr The Shinsengumi defends the Shirasaka barrier from the Shirakawa attack of the New Government Army
29-Apr Shinsengumi defended the Shirasaka barrier and took the place of Sendai soldier. They took a rest at a two storied building at Shirakawa Jouka Nikaidate, encampment was done at Wakimoto Yanagi-ya (Yanagi inn)
1-May The Shirakawa Komine castle was captured by the attack of the New Government Army. The Shinsengumi group that was commanded by Saitou was defeated at the Kurokawa battle and they stayed at Seishidou lodging
2-May They leave the Seishidou inn, encampment in Sandai
26-May The Shinsengumi could not recover Shirakawa Komine castle and they withdraw to Kamigoya (Kamikoya) village for encampment and the New Government Army captures Shirakawa
27-May While they head to Ooyachi village from Shirakawa Komine they met the New Government Army and engage in war but since there were no support soldiers, they retreat to Makinouchi
Recently in Sandai, Saitou’s name appears as a coomander of the Shinsengumi Taishi in “Aizu Sandai Hisashi Jinja Meibo” (comment: Unsure of exact name but translates to “Aizu Sandai member list of names”)
3-Jun When the Aizu feudal lord Matsudaira makes an official business trip to Yoshinori, Saitou and company returns from Sandai to have an audience with him
Saitou and company receives 25 ryo as war funds
6-Jun Saitou who leads the Shinsengumi goes to the front departing to Oohira-kuchi
12-Jun Saitou’s group is once again defeated as it tries to recapture Shirakawa Komine from Hata village
16-Jun He returned from Hata village to Fukura, staying at Senjuin lodging
25-Jun The battle to re-capture Shirakawa Komine castle is done but it is unsuccesful
1-Jul Although the Shinsengumi goes to war from Hata village and invades the Tenjin mountain to capture Shirakawa Komine castle, they are beaten by the New Government Army and withdraws from Hatori to Fukura to re-organize the preparations
7-Jul It went to war from Fukura to Moriya-machi (Moriya town)
8-Jul It went from Moriya-machi to Naganuma encamping there to rest
25-Jul The fight to recapture Shirakawa Komine castle is done and it loses for the 7th time, they leave. The sending of troops to Shirakawa ended substatially
29-Jul Saitou and the Shinsengumi soldiers had palnned to send more troops from Moriya-machi to the Kooriyama area, but many clans/feudal lords in Ou (Tohoku area) had pledge allegiance to the New Government side so the dispatch of troops was called off.
1-Aug Saitou’s Shinsengumi pulls out from Moriya towards Sandai
18-Aug Saitou’s Shinsengumi joins the Denshuu Daiichi Daitai and Kaiten-tai in Sandai moves Ishimushi-kuchi and stays overnight at Inawashiro Jouka (comment: Jouka can be translated to near the castle or at the foot of the castle wall)
19-Aug They stay at Kijikoya village at Kiji Koyamura lodging
20-Aug They go to Bonari Touge (Bonari Pass)
21-Aug Saitou arranges for three cannons for the defense of Masaiwa in Bonari-touge
Instense firefight between both armies occurred here
The situation of the Shinsengumi is recorded at this time as “The war and tear on the 21st, total of Yamaguchi Jirou’s Shinsengumi, officer, infantryman, leads 120 or more to Shougunzan”. It is described in “Wakamatsu-ki Soukou” (“Account draft of Wakamatsu”)
Because the New Government Army made a surprise attack at the rear of the Shinsengumi whose view was obstructed by fog, Saitou retreated to Inawashiro district
Although Saitou meets Kuroda Denta a Nihonmatsu Taishi, at Tanima Hosomichi and both head towards Aizu, he separates in response to the attack of the New government army
Afterwards, Saitou enters the vicinity near the Wakumatsu castle by way of Juurokubashi
22-Aug Shirobee Taniguchi describes in his diary with regards to the motive of the Old Shogunate army not staying at Aizu thus, “Now that Aizu’s fall is imminent, it is not in the spirit of Makoto to abandon it” (Comment: I apologize, even if I use quotations in this, it is I’m sure not exact. However in Saito Hajime no Subete the same book where we get most our info, the entries in Shirobee’s diary is being challenged by researchers who is studying the momement of the old Shogunate army. There are many entries in the web as well as to when this argument happened and between who’s persons and -when-. There is also the oral history of the Fujita family which is from 3-hajime. With the amount of arguments as to what transpired during this split, it calls for more examination IMO)
Those Shinsengumi who followed Saitou after this stayed at Shukuyashiki’s Saitou-ya
The other Shinsengumi who did not go with Saitou stayed at Tenneiji lodging
23-Aug Saitou and the reamining Shinsengumi who stayed with him tried to enter the Aizu castle by the north side but could not because the gate was closed
At this point the Aizu clan shut all the castle gates of the castle and the New government troop had surrounded the vicinity around the castle, the south gate with it’s stone wall only consisted of wooden gate became the target
However the Shinsengumi who remained unfamiliar with the geography and did not know the existence of the southern gate
The situation of the Shinsengumi at this time “It suddenly drew near the enemy, a riot happens in the city and the soldiers are scattered around Shiokawa vicinity, from “Wakamatsu-ki Soukou”
5-Sep While guarding Nyoraidou, Buddha temple, the New Government Army came and the battle became fierce, the Shinsengumi that Saito led decreased and got scattered
23-Sep Saitou says that although he was fighting together with Sagawa Kanbee at Minamiadzu the Aizu han surrenders
The Aizu clan’s military magistrate Asaba (sp?) Chuunosuke informs that the conflic was finished
Sagawa Kanbee’s fight outside the castle ended
The New Government Army considers in Shiokawa the punishment of Saitou and others who fought outside of the castle
1869 4-Jan Saitou who fought outside the castle is assigned to the Takada penitence group and prays at Amida-ji Temple
5-Jan Aida Kakuzaemon, an Aizu feudal soldier finishes writing “Kaihan Hokuetsu Takada Kishin jinmei” which records Saitou’s false names “Saitou Hajime koto Ichinose Denpachi”
01/04-01/09 The Takada penitence group which includes Saitou divides in to six going to Takada from Aizu, towards Joetsu city and they are penitent in Higashi honganji Temple in Teramachi
2-Sep Saitou and others were permitted the right to bear a surname and carry a sword by the Meiji government
The Meiji government pardons the crime of Saitou and others who fought in the Boshin war
1870 8-Apr Onogi, an Aizu retainer records in “Echigo Takada Tsumemeisai yuujin Chou” Saitou’s false names “Saitou Hajime koto Ichinose Depanchi”
Saitou Hajime uses the false name Fujita Goro
June He goes by land to Tonami by winter time and resides with Kurasawa Hiejiuemon who acted as small councilor of the Tonami clan
1871 August Tokio Takagi becomes Kurasawa’s adopted daughter
25-Aug Saitou marries Shinoda Yaso who is a daughter of an old Aizu feudal retainer
He acted as bodyguard for Matsudaira Kataharu who was the feudal lord of Tonami when he goes to Tokyo for the abolition of clans and establishment of prefectural system
It is said that at this time two haori coats were received
1872 29-Jan The Tonami draws up the Jinsaru (Kansoku) register of Gonohe village where Saitou was currently residing
March The Jinsaru census is concluded
In the Jinsaru register Shinoda Yaso is recorded as 31 years old and Fujita Goro (Saitou) is 27 living at 132 residence
Tokio Takagi went to Tokyo
1873 10-Feb Saitou moves from Kurasawa’s mansion to Shichirou Ueda’s house which was where Yaso originally lived in
1874 10-Jun Saitou left Yaso in Gonohe and went to Tokyo
(latter half) Sagawa Kanbee and Yamakawa Hiroshi served as the lower go-between of Saitou and Tokio’s marriage. It is assumed that Matsudaira Katamori served as the higher sponsor.
The arrangement of the marriage and marriage itself it said to be between fall up to spring of 1875
1875 1-Jun Katsu dies. She was Saitou’s older sister who married Souma Toshiaki a doctor of the Mito Tokugawa family
Helps Matsumoto Ryoujun, Nagakura Shinapchi and others in erecting a stone monument for the Shinsengumi at Jutoku-ji temple boundary in Itabashi Tokyo
1876 20-Jul Fujita Yaso moves into Kurasawa Hiejiuemon’s house, the last record of Yaso found in the family register
15-Dec Eldest son Tsutomu is born
The godparent is Yamakawa Hiroshi who served as the councilor of the Tonami clan, a principal retainer of the old Aizu clan
1877 20-Feb It entered the Metropolitan Police because of the Satsuma Rebellion (Seinan War) which had started on Feb 17. There he was appointed by the Assistant Police Inspector
Upon departure for the front (of the Seinan war) he was enlisted under the Hagihara-tai
8-May Saitou who belongs to the Bungo Kuchi Keishi Choubotai is in the gathering in front of the Metropolitan Police department which sailed from yokohama port to Kyushu in the evening. A photograph is said to have been taken at this time (the photo where he is sitting at the right hand edge).
Saitou had served as semi-captain of the second troop
20-May Visit in the Kobe port
21-May Arrives and disembarks at Saganosekikou. Encampment at Tokou temple
22-May It arrived at Oita-cho via Tsurusaki. The encampment lodging was centered at Takechou Kiya Kengorou (place?)
23-May The members marched towards Imaichi
24-May Was included in the advance party going to Kamitsutsumi village, then the attack forces captured Okashiro castle
25-May They proceeded to Takeda-kuchi and crosses Oosakatouge (Osaka peack) to battle Saigou’s troops. Later they capture Houshi-yama (mountain) and proceeded to the foot of the moutain to a town in a private house lodging for encampment.
27-May The Hoshi mountain was protected as a back-up
The government sent troops (with the exception of the 2nd platoon) fought against Saigo’s troops from the front and fell into trouble
The 2nd platoon which included Saitou made a detour and attacked Saigo’s army at the back and they were made to retreat back towards Hoshi mountain
28-May It passes Kaguchi and arrives at Kamikaguchi to Edmura government office
29-May Okashiro is captured
30-May The government troops march with the exception of Saitou’s 2nd Platoon
31-May Okashiro was defended and it started in the duty of being at post in Sonawa
1-Jun Saitou’s 2nd platoon marches to Utaeda to the Metropolitan Police recruitment corps
The Metropolitan Police enlistment corp asks for assistance from the Choshuu han. Yoshisuke’s troops arrive at Rokkayama
6-Jun Encampment is done in Nakatsu
7-Jun It advances to Hisabe village and encampment is done
21-Jun Appointed as sentry to Komanaki-touge (Komanaki peak) and marches to Fusube field
23-Jun Leaves Shigeoka and went to Kurosawa village
24-Jun Encampment at Todoroki Koshi inn
25-Jun Although it went to war at Todoroki touge taking base at Maruichi ridge’s Satsu, since there were no reinforcements they retreated
28-Jun In the first ten days of the next month, it went into a fierce battle with Saigo’s army around Shigeoka
12-Jul The second platoon advance to Mikawauchi as a forerunner towards Todoroki Koshiguchi
At 2 AM Saitou leads the group from the right, starting from Morisaki village and progresses to Fukuhara passing Yakio touge, engages Saigo’s army into battle and drives them away
Saitou progresses to Takatoko-yama and attacks Saigou’s military encampment, here he receives a gunshot wound
Because of this he is sent to Saikioohashi Houtai-jo (Saeki Oohashi bandange facility) in Dainichi temple at Saeki Jouka
28-Oct Triumphant return from Kyushu to Tokyo
1878 30-Mar It was appointed as Probationary Assistant Police Inspector (Keibu Shiho) by the Metropolitan police (Keishi) department
1879 4-Aug Was appointed as Assistant Police Inspector
4-Oct Second son Tsuyoshi was born
8-Oct He was awarded 100 yen and a medal, “The Order of the Blue Paulownia” (comment: for services rendered in the Seinan war)
1881 9-Jan From the Department of the army it is appointed to Gyougakari and receives a monthly a salary of 15 yen (comment: It is not clear to me what order of appointment “Gyougakari” is, although the position existed even in the Tokugawa period)
9-Sep Is dismissed from the appointment of the Department of the Army (comment: It is unclear why but this -might- also be translated as Saito left the position. There is talk of “difference” from the Gyougakari appointment though so I chose dismissed instead. Feel free to contact me if you know.)
11-Nov Is appointed as a Police Sargeant by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department with the salary of 12 yen
1882 26-Nov In a kendo tournament sponsored by the police headquarters Tomiyama Madoka, a police sargeant and Fujita Goro (Saito) fights the result was a draw
7-Dec Salary becomes 15 yen
1885 3-Jul It is promoted as Assistant Police Inspector
1886 7-Feb The salary becomes 18 JPY
29-Mar Midori Nishino who marries Saitou’s eldest son tsutomu is born
1-Jul Third son Tatsuo is born
1887 Tatsuo (Saitou’s youngest son) is adopted to the Namuzawa family, as Namuzawa Shichiro’s son
1888 1-Nov Saitou is appointed as Police Inspector
1890 23-Jan Saitou who was working for the Aso Police Station wins over Watanabe Yutaka in a kendo tournament sponsored by the Metropolitan Police Department
2-Apr Saitou retires from the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department (TMPD). With Hideo’s assistance he gets work as a museum guard in Tokyo Education Museum with the salary of 12 JPY
1894 August Yukiko who is the daughter of Saitou’s elder brother (Hiroaki) dies
1896 13-Jan A permanent change of registered domicile is done from 269 Gonohe, Sannohe-gun Aomori to 17, Wase-cho Fukushima
1897 31-Mar For professional diligence in duty 10 JPY is granted
1898 23-Apr Monthly salary becomes 15 JPY
29-Dec For professional diligence in duty 12 JPY is granted
1899 27-Feb Retires from the Tokyo Educational Museum
Visits Yamakawa Hiroshi frequently and is said to say he wanted his bones to be buried beside the fallen Aizu soldiers at Amitabha temple
13-Apr Receives 30 JPY because he had worked for the Tokyo Normal School for seven years or more (the Tokyo Educational Museum was an affiliate of the Tokyo Normal School)
After retiring he then worked for the Tokyo Women’s Normal School as a general clerk and person in charge of accounting
1904 1-Jun Souma Toshiaki, Saitou’s brother in law (Katsu’s husband) passes away
Hide-ko Fujita an expert in the tea ceremony from Gonohe goes to Tokyo at 23 and lodges in the Saitou house (Fujita house)
1907 October Tokio plans cherry blossoms in Amida-ji Temple for those killed in action during the Aizu war
1908 While currenly residing in Tokyo, Tokio becomes a promoter for purchasing graves for the Aizu dead. She contributes 250 sen (a sen is hundredth of a yen)
1909 27-Feb Saitou retires from the Tokyo Women’s Normal School
1912 9-Feb Saitou’s grandchild is born, the son of Fujita Tsutomu
1913 12-Nov Tokio’s name appears in the “Aizu Association Bulletin” for being promoter for purchasing graves for Aizu people killed in war
1914 26-Jan The Amida-ji Temple grave purchase was recorded in “Aizu Association Bulletin”
Saitou himself contributes 10,000 yen
1915 28-Sep Saitou leaves the Teikoku Taigaku Miura Naika Byoutu (Imperial University Miura Internal Medicine hospital ward), he dies of a stomach ulcer
It is said that he died sitting straight (seiza) and that he told Tsutomu the oral history of the Fujita family
1916 24-May There was the notification of inheritance of the estate of Saitou Hajime
And the personal history of the Fujitas by Tsutomu is erased from the family register of the Fujita family.
1917 When Tsutomu was assigned to the 65th regiment, the offer of the Fujita family grave yard construction was received. The grave of the Fujita family is built in Amida-ji temple
1920 24-Dec Tokio dies
1945 3-Feb Tatsuo Namuzawa who is Saitou’s third son adopted out of the Fujita family dies
1946 3-Jan Saitou’s second son Tsuyoshi dies
1956 9-Jun Tsutomu talks and leaves the document of the Fujita family and dies
1998 18-Jul The re-construction of the Fujita tomb at Amidaji-temple, where Saitou Hajime lies is finished.