Story about Sannan’s sword
Notes: I was provided the original Japanese version by @kumoriyami-xiuzhen. It is honestly my favorite short story about Sannan out of all the three I have translated so far, so, please enjoy.
Sekishin Okimitsu by a person from Banshuu
January, Bunkyuu 3 (1863)
Everyone in Shiekan, which was headed by Kondou Isami, had decided that they would go to Tokyo and join the Roshigumi. They only had a short time until they had to leave to Tokyo so the days of everyone were busy with announcing the separation to acquaintances and arranging their personal baggage. During that time, there was only one person that still remained in an unpeopled Shiekan during the evening. That was Sannan Keisuke.
Sannan first visited Shiekan three years ago, during Manen 1 (1860). Back then, when Kondou Isami received the certificate of mastery of Tensai Rishinryuu and became the young teacher of Shiekan, the dojo was a small one and besides, Hijikata Toshizo, Okita Souji, Inoue Genzaburou, only has a small number of disciples. Sannan as a disciple of the Onoha Ittoryuu fought with Kondou in a battle between schools and lost, and as he was impressed by the strength of the Tensai Rishinryuu, he joined the school. Since then, he had lodged in Shiekan and in a short time, started to study the art of Tensai Rishinryuu. Soon as Kondou’s right hand man, he was entrusted with going to teach in the Tama region.
Sannan was sitting alone in the dojo of Shiekan, properly going through the maintainance his beloved sword.
The first step of this maintenance was to start with cleaning all the oil coating the blade so that it would not rust. Firstly, he used wiping paper to clean up all the oil on the blade. When that process failed to remove all the old oil, he put power on the blade and then wiped again with a wiping paper. He properly wiped from the base of the metal collar to the tip and kept on repeating it so finally the old oil sticking on the blade was cleanly removed.
Then, he carefully checked for any rust or chip on the naked blade and then very thoroughly coated the blade with clove oil. Because the oil coating this blade had deteriorated, he had to maintain the sword by replacing the oil multiple times throughout a year.
For this work, Sannan had to slowly replaced the oil on his sword.
“Huh? The only person left is Sannan-san?”
From the door of the dojo, the unique voice of Okita sounded out.
“That’s right. It is because Nagakura and the other guys went out for drinking; Kondou-san and Hijikata-kun and Inoue-san went out to Tama for some greetings…though I heard that Okita-kun also came along.”
“No, I have no part in that kind of greeting.”
“Is that so? Okita-kun also has family, right? Is that okay?”
“If I show up, my elder sister will definitely oppose, so I think it is better for me not to go. In other terms, because I don’t have any one to greet, I came back alone. Because I am taking care of the dojo, I think that it is better that I greet Sannan-san and pack my baggage.”
So according to what he said, Okita went to the dojo and reached Sannan’s side. In response to Okita, Sannan gave him a slightly lonely smile and answered.
“What a coincidence, actually, I also do not have any acquaintance to greet.”
Looking at Sannan’s face, Okita’s interested eyes glittered.
“Is that so… Even though I cannot see that, if Sannan-san say so, it must be the case. So, how is your preparation for going to Kyo going?”
“The baggage that I am bringing along is only this sword. Because of that, as the maintenance was done, I am already done with the preparation.”
Moving his gaze to the sword lying on the tatami mat in front of Sannan, Okita became interested and looked at the sword.
“Sekishin Okimitsu…was the name, right? Not a famous name, isn’t it? Do you have any emotional attachment to it?”
“This sword… is unique, I brought it from my hometown, Sendai, where I was born. This sword was passed down in my family for generations and when I received this sword, I was told to hold this sword and hit with a true heart (Sekishin means true heart). Certainly, don’t you think that is a suitable path?”
“I do not understand what true heart means for Sannan-san but… Being able to kill your opponent and keep your own life is enough, isn’t it?”
“Haha… That answer is very characteristic of Okita-kun.”
“Is that so… Well, it is fine. So, I also should do the maintenance for my sword. I will bring it here so please just keep on staying in the dojo like this.”
While shrugging his shoulder, Okita also turned his back on Sannan and quickly left the dojo.
In a dojo resounded with those footsteps, Sannan thought.
About abandoning his house in Sendai, leaving his clan to travel alone.
Back then, his only baggage was also Sekishin Okimitsu.
After that, while joining a dojo and living in Edo… This sword was also his only constant companion.
Sannan said gently to his beloved sword lying on top of the tatami.
“From Sendai to Edo… And now, this time is going to be Kyo. We are going to be together once more. Please help me.”
Before long, the dusk was thickening, and the dojo became darker. Sannan shook off his sentiments and slowly stood up; because Okita would be coming back, he needed to start preparing to put on the light.
Notes: I checked a source from the internet. The link is here: https://www.touken-world.jp/tips/72533/
So, the historical Sannan Keisuke broke his sword during the same incident that Hakuouki Sannan lost the use of his left arm. This means that Hakuouki Sannan probably lost the use of his left arm and his most prized possession in the same day. That is quite sad to think about.
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Yamanami Keisuke Tomonobu (Sannan)
Written by Kizu
Wednesday, 26 July 2006
1833-1865
Shinsengumi Fukuchou and Souchou (Vice-Chief and President of “College” – learning arts/literature/etc)
Was a Ronin from Oshu Sendai and goes to Edo
Was a practitioner of Hokushin Ittou Ryu of the Chiba dojo
In recent research there is a theory that he was also a practitioner of Onoha Ittou Ryu according to Shuusuke (name of researcher?)
Seems to have become a student of the Tennen Rishin Ryu at the Shieikan in 1860
Goes to Kyoto in 1863, as well and stays with Kondou’s group, later becoming a Vice-Commander along with Hijikata
There is record of participation in the Iwaki shop event in 1864 where there was fierce fighting but starting with the Ikedaya plot, there is no record of his participation.
There is a theory that he was badly injured in the Iwaki shop incident and could no longer participate actively
It is said that he is well liked by his subordinates, an affable person, however did not get along well with Hijikata and Itou
In 1865 commits hara-kiri for violating the hatto by leaving the Shinsengumi
Okita is said to be the “second” in his seppuku
But there is a researcher (not named) who doubts the events of his death; the reasoning goes that because of his injury which made him unable to participate actively in the group, he was gradually forced into a “desk job” and given a figurehead title of “President”. It is said that Hijikata had participation in this (demotion) and eventually Yamanami committed suicide.
With the way his name is written in Kanji, it is more likely that he went by the name “Sannan”
Favorite sword: Sekishin Okikou
His grave is in Shijo-Omiya in Kyoto, Hikari-en Temple
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