Okita Sōji

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Okita Sōji

Role / Field:

Legendary samurai and captain of the Shinsengumi, renowned for his swordsmanship.

Born:

1842

Died:

1868-07-19

Century / Era:

1842s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Okita Sōji (沖田 総司; 1842 or 1844 – July 19, 1868) was a Japanese samurai and the captain of the first unit of the Shinsengumi, a special police force in Kyoto during the late shogunate period. He was one of the best swordsmen of the Shinsengumi. He was born Okita Sōjirō Fujiwara no Harumasa (沖田宗次郎藤原春政) in 1842 or 1844 from a samurai family in the Shirakawa Domain's Edo mansion. His great-grandfather was Okita Kan'emon (d. 1819) and his grandfather was Okita Sanshiro (d.

Career & Major Achievements

1833.) His father, Okita Katsujiro, died in 1845; he had two older sisters, Okita Mitsu (1833–1907) and Okita Kin (1836–1908). In 1846, in order to marry the adopted son of the Okita family, Okita Rintarō (1826–1883), his oldest sister Okita Mitsu became an adopted daughter of Kondo Shusuke in name. Kondo Shusuke was the third master of the Tennen Rishin-ryū and Okita started training at the Shieikan with him around the age of nine. By that time, Kondo Shusuke had already adopted Shimazaki Katsuta (the later Kondō Isami), but Hijikata Toshizō had not yet enrolled at the Tennen Rishin-ryū school. Okita proved to be a prodigy; he mastered all the techniques and attained the Menkyo Kaiden scroll (license of total transmission) in the ryū at the age of eighteen or so.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In 1861, Okita became Head Coach (Jukutou) at the Shieikan. Even though he was often commented to be honest, polite, and good-natured by those around him, he was also known to be a strict and quick-tempered teacher to his students. Okita changed his name to Okita Sōji Fujiwara no Kaneyoshi some time before his departure with the Rōshigumi to Kyoto on March 26, 1863. However, the Rōshigumi was disbanded upon their arrival there on April 10, 1863, while the rest returned to Edo. Okita and several other founding members remained behind in Mibu to form the Mibu Rōshigumi, which would later be renamed as the Shinsengumi on August 18, 1863.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1819: 1819 Milestone — 1819) and his grandfather was Okita Sanshiro (d.
2. 1842: Birth of Okita Sōji — Legendary samurai and captain of the Shinsengumi, renowned for his swordsmanship.
3. 1845: 1845 Milestone — ) His father, Okita Katsujiro, died in 1845; he had two older sisters, Okita Mitsu (1833–1907) and Okita Kin (1836–1908).
4. 1846: 1846 Milestone — In 1846, in order to marry the adopted son of the Okita family, Okita Rintarō (1826–1883), his oldest sister Okita Mitsu became an adopted daughter of Kondo Shusuke in name.
5. 1861: 1861 Milestone — In 1861, Okita became Head Coach (Jukutou) at the Shieikan.
6. 1863: 1863 Milestone — Okita changed his name to Okita Sōji Fujiwara no Kaneyoshi some time before his departure with the Rōshigumi to Kyoto on March 26, 1863.
7. 1868 (1868-07-19): Passing & Historical Legacy — Okita Sōji passed away on 1868-07-19, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Okita Sōji

True or False: “Okita Sōji was historically known to have a close, brotherly relationship with Hijikata Toshizō.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): Historical records suggest that the vice-commander Okita shared a documented brotherly relationship with Yamanami Keisuke, not Hijikata Toshizō.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Okita Sōji