Serizawa Kamo

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Serizawa Kamo

Role / Field:

A prominent, volatile samurai who led the Shinsengumi before his assassination.

Born:

1826-09-02

Died:

1863-10-30

Century / Era:

1826s Historical Era

Database Source:

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

Origins & Early Life

Serizawa Kamo (芹沢 鴨; September 2, 1826 – October 30, 1863) was a samurai known for being the original lead commander of the Shinsengumi. He trained in and received a licence in the Shindō Munen-ryū. "Kamo" means goose or duck in Japanese which was an odd name to call oneself at the time. His full name was Serizawa Kamo Taira no Mitsumoto. The Serizawa family were upper-seat Goshi rank samurai in Serizawa village in Mito which is now the capital of Ibaraki Prefecture in Japan.

Career & Major Achievements

Kamo was born as the youngest son and his childhood name was Genta. He had two older brothers and an older sister. He was educated with the Sonnō jōi ideals (meaning revere the Tenno (emperor) and expel the foreigners) and swordsmanship since childhood at Kodoukan which was a state school in Mito. Mito is a sub-branch of the Tokugawa family and it was considered the motherland of the Sonnō Jōi ideology and was a center of support for the Tennō and the Imperial court, which helped fuel the Revolution. Although no portrait of Kamo remains, it is said he was a large man with very pale skin and small eyes.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

On one hand, Serizawa was quite bold and fearless and on the other hand, he was extremely selfish and had a short temper so he started fights often. If he was in a bad mood he would often get violent, especially when he was drinking, and he was a heavy drinker. He was an idealist who held very strong pro-Imperial court beliefs and took the Sonno-joi beliefs very seriously while at the same time siding with the Tokugawa regime. A lesser well-known fact is that Serizawa was good at drawing and showed his drawings to children. Kamo was the priest for a Shinto temple under the Kimura family.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1826 (1826-09-02): Birth of Serizawa Kamo — A prominent, volatile samurai who led the Shinsengumi before his assassination.
2. 1863 (1863-10-30): Passing & Historical Legacy — Serizawa Kamo passed away on 1863-10-30, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Notable Quotes by Serizawa Kamo

“In the snow and frost, / The color remains, / And still giving off its scent after the scattering of the petals; / Such ume is the perfume.”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Serizawa Kamo

True or False: “Serizawa Kamo was always known for his calm demeanor and strategic patience throughout his career.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The text notes that Serizawa was described as being quite bold and fearless, but also extremely selfish with a short temper, often getting violent.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Serizawa Kamo