Yamanami Keisuke

Yamanami Keisuke Tomonobu (Sannan)

• 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