Saitō Hajime

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Saitō Hajime

Role / Field:

Legendary samurai who served the Shinsengumi and adapted through the tumultuous Meiji Restoration.

Born:

1844-02-18

Died:

1915-09-28

Century / Era:

1844s Historical Era

Database Source:

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

Origins & Early Life

Hajime Saitō (斎藤 一) (born Hajime Yamaguchi (山口 一); February 18, 1844 – September 28, 1915) was a Japanese samurai of the late Edo period, who most famously served as the captain of the third unit of the Shinsengumi. He was one of the few core members who survived the numerous wars of the Bakumatsu period. He was later known as Fujita Gorō (藤田 五郎) and worked as a police officer in Tokyo during the Meiji Restoration where he worked mostly undercover for them and for the Japanese government. He was born in Edo, Musashi Province (now Tokyo). Very little is known about his early life.

Career & Major Achievements

He was born Yamaguchi Hajime (山口 一) to Yamaguchi Yūsuke (山口 祐助), an ashigaru of the Akashi Domain, who had bought the rank of gokenin (a low-ranking retainer directly serving the Tokugawa shōgun), and his wife Masu (ます). He had an older brother named Hiroaki and an older sister named Katsu. According to the published records of his family, Saitō left Edo in 1862, after accidentally killing a hatamoto. He went to Kyoto and taught in the dōjō of a man named Yoshida, who had relied on Saitō's father Yūsuke in the past. His style of swordsmanship is not clear.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

According to a tradition of his descendants, Saito Hajime's swordsmanship style is considered to be Mugai Ryū that originates from Yamaguchi Ittō-ryū. Thus the style derived from Ittō-ryū (One sword style). He is also considered to have learned Tsuda Ichi-den-ryū and Sekiguchi-ryū. The same age as Okita Sōji and another member named Tōdō Heisuke, the three shared the distinction of being the youngest in Kondō Isami's group and being among its most gifted swordsmen. As a member of the Shinsengumi, Saitō was said to be an introvert and a mysterious person; a common description of his personality says he "was not a man predisposed to small talk".

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1844 (1844-02-18): Birth of Saitō Hajime — Legendary samurai who served the Shinsengumi and adapted through the tumultuous Meiji Restoration.
2. 1862: 1862 Milestone — According to the published records of his family, Saitō left Edo in 1862, after accidentally killing a hatamoto.
3. 1915 (1915-09-28): Passing & Historical Legacy — Saitō Hajime passed away on 1915-09-28, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Saitō Hajime

True or False: “Saitō Hajime was always known for his flamboyant and attention-seeking public demeanor throughout his career.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): Historical accounts describe him as an introvert who maintained a dignified and reserved presence, rarely engaging in small talk.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Saitō Hajime