Even in the anime version, Golden Kamuy stood out for its storyline and sense of humor. The characters repeatedly clash and cooperate over Ainu gold. One of the show's charms is its introduction to the Ainu people. The main story revolves around the search for a prisoner whose skin is the code for an Ainu gold nugget painting. It will be interesting to see how the story unfolds. In this article, we will introduce Hijikata Toshizo, a rare character in Golden Kamuy who appears with the exact same name as in historical fact.
[Golden Kamuy] The Historical Facts of Hijikata Toshizo
Source: Golden Kamuy © Noda Satoru / Shueisha, Golden Kamuy Production Committee
Golden Kamuy is set after the Russo-Japanese War. So, what about the historical facts of the Hijikata Toshizo, the character he inspired? Historically, he was originally a traveling merchant. The story takes place around the time of the arrival of Perry's Black Ships. He was an ordinary young man who loved reading haiku poetry while selling medicine. However, at the age of 25, he entered the Tennen Rishin-ryu school of Japanese martial arts, and it is said that he met Kondo Isami and Okita Soji during his training. He later formed the Shinsengumi. Hijikata, who respected the rules, came to be known as the Demon Vice-Commander. The Shinsengumi became famous after the Ikedaya Incident and the Kinmon Incident, but sided with the shogunate at the Battle of Toba-Fushimi and suffered a crushing defeat. They moved north and occupied Goryokaku, and then Matsumae Castle. However, at the age of 35, he was hit by a stray bullet outside Goryokaku and tragically lost his life. The year was 1869.
[Golden Kamuy] Hijikata Toshizo Leads Prisoner Escape
Source: Golden Kamuy © Noda Satoru / Shueisha, Golden Kamuy Production Committee
In the world of Golden Kamuy, Hijikata Toshizo was imprisoned in the same Abashiri prison as Shiraishi and Ushiyama. He was the only one to hear the story of the Ainu gold from Nopperabo, and he played a leading role in the prisoner escape. Shiraishi also seems to fear Hijikata. That's because he had seen Hijikata take a gun from a garrison soldier right in front of him and instantly kill and dispose of three of them.
[Golden Kamuy] Is Hijikata Trying to Build a Country?! Hijikata Toshizo
Source: Golden Kamuy © Noda Satoru / Shueisha, Golden Kamuy Production Committee
Hijikata Toshizo's reason for searching for gold is still unclear. However, his visit to Nagakura, where he believes that Ainu gold can be mined in the country, suggests he is following in the footsteps of the former Shogunate army (the Shinsengumi) and hoping to create a new country. However, there are still some ambiguous scenes. After killing a yakuza to steal a prisoner's skin, he mutters to the dead yakuza that he was not worthy of Kondo, and before the battle, he tells them to become dead, suggesting he may be searching for a place to die. Indeed, Shinsengumi leader Kondo Isami was executed before the Battle of Hakodate, so perhaps he regrets having survived. There are still many mysteries to be discovered.
[Golden Kamuy] Is Hijikata Toshizo Based on Historical Facts?
Hijikata is said to have died in the Battle of Hakodate, but many of the story's settings are based on historical facts, and scenes based on his past appear throughout the film.
Hijikata's Beloved Sword, Izuminokami Kanesada
Source: Golden Kamuy © Noda Satoru / Shueisha, Golden Kamuy Production Committee
Hijikata's beloved sword is Izuminokami Kanesada. He robbed this famous sword, which was stored in a bank. But what exactly is Izuminokami Kanesada? This sword is the 12th Izuminokami Kanesada sword, originally used by Hijikata Toshizo, in line with historical facts. This work was created by Izuminokami Kanesada, a blacksmith employed by the Aizu clan, and is said to have been given to Hijikata and used during a visit to Aizu-Wakamatsu Castle.
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Source: Golden Kamuy © Noda Satoru / Shueisha, Golden Kamuy Production Committee
There's a scene in which Hijikata asks the owner to put finely chopped pickled radish on his rice with tea. This scene was also inspired by Hijikata Toshizo, who was said to have loved pickled radish. In real life, Hijikata Toshizo loved pickled radish so much that there's even an anecdote about him carrying a huge barrel full of it home.
[Golden Kamuy] Hijikata Toshizo: A Man Who Compares Others to the Shinsengumi
Source: Golden Kamuy © Noda Satoru / Shueisha, Golden Kamuy Production Committee
Hijikata Toshizo must have missed the Shinsengumi so much. Well, that's certainly true. He was a demonic vice-commander who dedicated his life to the Shinsengumi, after all. Hijikata Toshizo often uses Shinsengumi members as analogies when speaking to people he meets. Disguised as a carefree old man, Hijikata comes to ask Asirpa's Japanese name, and while talking to Sugimoto, he mentions that Umedo had a similar scar. (Umedo Katsunoshin - during the Tenmaya Incident, he risked his life to save Saito Hajime from a particularly difficult situation, and suffered a large facial scar at the time.) Also, when he has Shiraishi spy on him, he mutters that he'll either end up as Saito or Saeki. (Saeki Matasaburo - former assistant vice-commander of the Shinsengumi, but assassinated at a young age. Believed to have been a spy for the Choshu clan.) If you don't know much about the Shinsengumi, you'll quickly be left behind.
[Golden Kamuy] As expected of the demon vice-commander, Hijikata Toshizo
Source: Golden Kamuy © Noda Satoru / Shueisha, Golden Kamuy Production Committee
Hijikata Toshizo has many famous quotes. Perhaps he killed too many people in his youth. He's an old man who often speaks from his own perspective, but here's one of my favorite lines: "Crying and screaming is proof that you weren't prepared," "Next time you get into a fight, you'll risk your life even if it's against a stray cat," Hijikata Toshizo is so terrifying. He's truly a demon vice-commander.
[Golden Kamuy] Demon Vice-Commander Hijikata Toshizo Summary
Source: Golden Kamuy © Noda Satoru / Shueisha, Golden Kamuy Production Committee
The story of Golden Kamuy is made even more complicated and fascinating by the fact that Hijikata Toshizo, who was thought to be dead, has formed a faction and is connected to Shiraishi. Betrayals and alliances will likely emerge from each faction in the future. New enemy characters may also appear. It's becoming more and more fascinating.
