Yamazaki Susumu
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Yamazaki Susumu (山崎 烝) (1833? - February 6, 1868) was a Shinsengumi officer and spy (Kansatsu.)
He was a ronin from Osaka and an expert in Katori Ryu. In 1864, Yamazaki and Shimada Kai were assigned by Kondo Isami to investigate the situation which led to the Ikedaya Jiken on July 8. However, there is a theory that Yamazaki's participation in the Ikedaya Jiken is merely fiction by Shimozawa Kan and Shiba Ryotaro.
Yamazaki was said to be excellent in literary and military arts. His scholastic talent was necessary when discussing politics with a court noble.
In 1865, he accompanied Kondo to Hiroshima. It is believed that Yamazaki did not return to Kyoto with Kondo until the next year in order to further investigate Chōshū's status.
Yamazaki studied medicine under Matsumoto Ryoujun. According to Matsumoto, Yamazaki was a gentle and taciturn man.
During the Battle of Toba-Fushimi in 1868, Yamazaki was severely injured and died on February 6. The exact location of his death is debatable. He had Kondo and Hijikata Toshizo's full confidence and was one of the most faithful member of the Shinsengumi till the very end.
[edit] Yamazaki in Fiction
Yamazaki is featured in Peacemaker Kurogane (anime/manga), Kaze Hikaru (manga), Getsumei Seiki (manga) and Bakumatsu Renka Shinsengumi (video game series.) He is also depicted in the 1999 film Gohatto.
Even though the real Yamazaki was not a ninja, his anime, manga, and TV depictions tend to be a well-trained ninja including Han'nya (a character loosely based on Yamazaki) from the anime/manga Rurouni Kenshin.
[edit] References
- Rekishi Dokuhon, December 1997 issue "The Ten Captains of The Late Tokugawa Period's Strongest Shinsengumi"
- Shinsengumi Chronicle. Tokyo: Shin Jinbutsu Oraisha, 2003. ISBN 4-404-03065-7
- Shinsengumi Encyclopedia. Tokyo: Shin Jinbutsu Oraisha, 1978.
