| Shinsengumi | |
|---|---|
| 新選組 | |
 Flag of Shinsengumi | |
| Active | August 18, 1863 |
| Disbanded | June 23, 1869 |
| Country | Kyoto, Japan |
| Allegiance | Tokugawa bakufu |
| Branch |
|
| Type | Military unit |
| Role | To protect the Tokugawa bakufu representatives and Kyoto |
| Size | 302 |
| Colors | light blue, white |
| Engagements | |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
|
The Shinsengumi (新選組, "Newly Selected Corps") was a small, elite group of swordsmen that was organized by commoners and low rank samurai, commissioned by the bakufu (military government) during Japan's Bakumatsu period (late Tokugawa shogunate) in 1863. It was active until 1869.[1][2] It was founded to protect the shogunate representatives in Kyoto at a time when a controversial imperial edict to exclude foreign trade from Japan had been made and the Chōshū clan had been forced from the imperial court. They gained considerable fame in the Ikedaya incident and the August 18 coup events, among others.[2] The men were drawn from the sword schools of Edo.
- ^ Watsuki, N. "Glossary of the Restoration." Rurouni Kenshin Volume 3. Viz Media p190.
- ^ a b Stephane Lun (2021) "A Guide on Shinsengumi: the background and management." [Kindle paperwhite version] Retrieved from amazon.com