Niimi Nishiki

Niimi Nishiki or Shinmi Nishiki (Japanese新 见 锦; * 1836 in Mito, † October 19 1863 in Kyoto ) was one of three commanders, later vice - commander of the Shinsengumi, a Japanese police unit of the Bakumatsu period ( 1853-1867 ), patrolling in Kyoto.

Historical situation

The beginning with the arrival of Matthew Perry's continuous opening of Japan in the 60s of the 19th century caused much controversy amongst the population. Therefore, various military movements that triggered great unrest in the country created. Some fought for the opening of Japan and the consequent preservation of power of the Tokugawa shogunate. Others made, for example, with the slogan sonno - Joi noticeable and demanded that the power would be back to the Tennō, the Japanese Emperor passed, and thus voted against the West.

The Rōshigumi was recruited by shogun fighting force in Kyoto should maintain peace and order. However, many of the fighters were more inclined towards the emperor and most of them were sent to Edo (now Tokyo), where they could cause little trouble. Among the remaining in Kyoto were the later members of the Shinsengumi.

Biography

Niimi was ( Ibaraki Prefecture today ) was born in Mito Han. He was a member of the Rōshigumi and belonged there, the fraction of the Commander Serizawa Kamo on, after made ​​a division within the group between Serizawa and the second commander, Kondō Isami, noticeable. As the leader of the Rōshigumi, Kiyokawa Hachiro wanted to let the troops fight for the Imperialists, Niimi remained in Kyoto and then was one of the 13 founding members of the Shinsengumi.

Originally, he was next Serizawa and Kondō also commander, but later he was demoted to the position of vice - commander. Since he was a key member of the Serizawa faction who wanted to dissolve the Kondō trailer, he was probably forced by Hijikata toshizo and Yamanami Keisuke on October 19, 1863 ( September 10 according to the lunar calendar) to commit seppuku ( ritual suicide ).

There is also the theory that he was killed by a samurai from Mito, since he is said to have killed a member of the Shinsengumi, but that's unlikely.

Even if he had taken the name of Niimi Nishiki, his real name remains unknown. But he must have been formed since his name playing with the pronunciation.

There is speculation that he might have been a spy from Chōshū, and that he had close relations with sonno - Joi groups in Mito and Tosa, in contrast to the Shinsengumi support the emperor.

  • Shinsengumi
  • Born in 1836
  • Died in 1863
  • Man
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