Kondo Isami was a Japanese swordsman and official.
Background
He was born in the year 1834 on October 9 in Chofu, Tokyo, Japan. In fact, he was from the lowest social status of those times. Kondo Isami’s parents were farmers originally.
Kondo Isami’s father was Miyagawa Hisajiro and Miyo was his mother. He lost his mother very early when he was four or five years old. Kondo Isami was the youngest of three brothers. His elder brothers were Otojiro and Kumezo. He also had a younger and older sister, who unfortunately died at a younger age. He was adopted by the third generation master, Kondo Shusuke, of the Tenne Rishin Ryu.
Right from his childhood, he liked to learn, regardless of his family background. He was known to be a good boy who always was well behaved and respected his father. Another interesting fact is that his father loved listening to war tales and constantly told the young Katsugoro about heroic war stories.
In 1848, he was 15 years old and began training in Tennen Rishin Ryu sword style with his other brothers under Kondo Shusuke. He enthusiastically practiced and was a fast learner. His eagerness and skills helped him in attaining perfection that he greatly impressed his teacher in his sword style. In the year 1849, on October 19, he was renamed as Kondo Isami, after he was adopted officially into the Kondo family.
Education
Kondo Isami had his education at the Shieikan, the Tennen Riushi Ryu main dojo.
Career
After Konod became a Tennen Rishin Ryu disciple with his two brothers, his enthusiastic nature and his keenness in learning quickly could not be ignored. Soon his temperament and skills caught attention that he impressed everyone to become the successor. After he was adopted by the Kondo family and named Kondo Isami, a filed match on 27 August 1861 was held at Yasaka Shrine and this was held celebrating the succession to the Shieikan dojo head that made him the schools fourth generation master.
Teaching for Kondo Isami was not restricted with the dojo. He was passionate and travelled the countryside to impart lessons. Swordsmanship was taught Konod at the Shieikan, but this was not the only skill taught. There were calligraphy lessons for the students, besides it seems spear and Jujutsu was also taught.
When the Tokugawa shogunate organized a massive group of rōnin for the purpose of protecting the shogun Iemochi, Kondō joined the unit, which became known as the Rōshigumi. After the de facto commander Kiyokawa Hachirō revealed their true purpose as being Imperial supporters, Kondō and his friend remained in Kyoto and formed the Mibu Rōshigumi. In the August 18 incident Kinmon no Seihen, his unit was given the name Shinsengumi. On July 10, 1867, Kondō became a hatamoto, along with the rest of the Shinsengumi.
After the Battle of Toba–Fushimi where he suffered a gunshot wound in January 1868, he returned to Edo, and was promoted to the rank of wakadoshiyori. He fought with the force dispatched by the Imperial Court but lost, most notably at the battle of Kōshū-Katsunuma and narrowly escaped from the battle.
e was captured soon after at Nagareyama. After surrendering, Kondō was beheaded at the Itabashi execution grounds in Itabashi on May 17, 1868 and his head was put on display on a pike at Sanjō Ōhashi, Kyoto.
He dreamed and desired to be a Samurai from a very early age to serve the emperor.
Personality
There are history records stating Kondo Isami had a rustic face and that simply indicated he was not handsome to look at, yet the fact cannot be denied that he was always surrounded by women. It is also believed that his good nature, his strong leadership and hospitality has brought him respect. His bravery and skills made everyone respect him as the Shinsengumi’s top man.
Kondo enjoyed entertaining others and did so by putting his fist in his mouth. He loved manju, the steamed dumpling, his favorite food. He was an honest and simple man of traditional values. He was prominent for his kind and generous behavior. He borrowed books and spent much of his time in reading even before his arrest. He was a capable man and had a sense of authority and martial attitude. He remained serious on duty. Kondo Isami was a very brave and honest man.
Physical Characteristics:
Speaking about Kondo Isami, nobody actually knows details about his height, but it is rumored that he was not a tall man. He was a muscular man and was believed to have spiky brown hair, tan skin and a goatee.
Connections
He married on March 29, 1860 Matsui Tsune at age 27. She was the eldest daughter of a vassal of a Hitotsubashi house, Matsui Yasogora, who served Shimizu. Their daughter was their only child and he named her Tamako, who was born in 1862.
Kondo, apart from his wife had four mistresses. Miyuki was the well known one and had been in Kyoto as a courtesan. Before Ikeda-ya, his relationship began with her and it continued all the years they were in the capitol, Shinsengumi. A story claims that he was interested in a geisha and she supported the Shishi, the enemies. It is believed that this woman made an offer to Kondo that if he supported the cause, she would be his, but he broke off the relationship and refused her.