MustLoveJapan

Birthplace of Isami Kondo

Travel Information

Chofu and Mitaka is the are where people of Shinsengumi (新撰組) were born and trained. Kondo Shrine is the birth place of Isami Kondo (近藤勇) who is the commander of Shinsengumi. Miyakawa family which Kondo's real family was one of the biggest and powerful family in this area. Now, only very small spot including the well where Kondo was born are still preserved. This is the beginning of Shinsengumi. There is the original Dojo of "Tennenrishinryu, 天然理心流" right in front of the Kondo Shrine. The spot is very small, but it is historically very important. In this area, you can see the pass of Kondo's life from the beginning to the end.

Tourist Info.
Check this shrine, Dojo and his tomb at once. There are important historical traces in this area.

Access
0. at Shinjuku Station
1. use Keio Line to Chofu (16 min.)
2. use local bus to Kokaidomae (10 min.)
3. walk west (20 min.)


Featured in

Samurai Movie The Ronins New Wave Samurai Movie.

MLJ Online Shop

the Ronins 映画好き集まれ!

Detailed Travel Guide

Birthplace of Isami Kondo

Isami Kondo who is the commander of Shinsengumi was born at the well in this place. Many people knows that Kondo was the son of the farmer, but not many people knows that his family Miyashita owned large farm around this area. So, he was not born as Samurai family, but he was rich. There is his Tennenrishinryu Dojo right next to his house. He was practicing his sword since he was very young. He joined Tennenrishinryu Dojo when he was 15 and become accepted son of Susuke Kondo for succeeding 4th Master of Tennenrishinryu. Until he was 30 years old, he lived around this shrine and meat all of greatest Samurai, Toshizo Hijikata, Soji Okita, Hajime Saito, Shinpachi Nagakura and other Sinsengumi Samurais.

Only the well is the original trace left in this area, but as the area is the beginning place of Shinsengumi, many people visit this shrine and feel the end of Edo period and sprit of last Samurais.