Yamanami Keisuke

Yamanami Keisuke, the Vice Commander-turned-secretary-general of the Shinsengumi police force of Bakumatsu-period Kyoto. He was said to have been born in Sendai of Mutsu-no-kuni, but details of his background and origins are unknown. He once challenged Kondo Isami's dojo Shieikan, the Tennen Rishinryu school, but was defeated. At the time, he was impressed by Kondo's character, and remained with him as a student of the Shieikan. He also joined the Roushigumi, and after the Mibu-Roushigumi was formed in Kyoto, he eventually became a core member of the Shinsengumi.

Height/Weight: 169cm, 55kg

Origin: History

Region: Japan

Alignment: Lawful-Good

Sub-Attribute: Human

Gender: Male

"Yamanami the kind-hearted soul."

Among the many hot-blooded members of the Shinsengumi, Yamanami was known for his humble and mild-mannered persona. Along with Kondo and several others, he joined the Roushigumi to protect the shogun, and headed to Kyoto. Later, he was placed under the custody of the Aizu clan and formed the Mibu-Roushigumi. The Roushigumi consisted of the Serizawa faction from the Mito clan, as well as the Kondo faction, which had been in power since the Shieikan. Alongside Hijikata Toshizo, Yamanami was appointed vice commander of the Kondo faction. The Roushigumi was recognized for its work, and was given a new name, the Shinsengumi, and their presence strengthened. However, the feud between the Serizawa and Kondo factions intensified, and the leadership of the Shinsengumi was eventually unified under Kondo's faction after the Serizawa faction was purged.

Yamanami assumed the position of secretary-general, next to Kondo as bureau chief, and Hijikata as vice commander. Yamanami played a central role in the Shinsengumi. Despite his mild-mannered appearance, he excelled in both literary and military arts, and his sword skills lived up to the name of the Shinsengumi.

"Then again, my skills aren't good enough to boast about, unlike Okita or Saito's."

In February, 1865, Yamanami left a letter and left the Shinsengumi. Shinsengumi regulations state desertion is punishable by seppuku, and several members are dispatched in pursuit. Yamanami was on his way to Edo, but his pursuer, Okita, caught up with him in Otsu and captured him. There are various theories as to why Yamanami left the Shinsengumi, including the issue of the relocation of the organization's camp and the conflict with Kondo and Hijikata, but his true intentions have never been clear. He was advised by his close associates to escape again, but he refused, and on February 23, 1865, Yamanami committed seppuku.

Ito Kashitaro, who was close to Yamanami, composed a poem mourning his death.

"Are mountain cherry blossoms grieved only when the spring's breeze blows to scatter them?

Tears may be shed for the blossoms which have scattered. But the flowers which fall and leave no trace boast more heroism than those clinging to the branch, waiting to wilt."

Learnt Warrior: C

A skill describing Yamanami, who excels both in literary and martial arts. Even while the Shinsengumi were described as a group of unscrupulous individuals, he was regarded both inside and outside the organization as a man of learning and reason.

Beautiful Spring View: C

Yamanami's swordsmanship may be gentle, but there is also a certain sharpness to it. An old injury sometimes makes it difficult for him to use his sword arm.

Kind One: B

His mild and kindhearted demeanor was more than popular with both the children and women of Mibu. It was even said that, within the Shinsengumi, "the kind ones are Yamanami and Matsubara."

"Sannan―me, the kind one? No, I'm not like that. I'm just a coward."

『Yamazakura』

Rank: D

NP Type: Anti-Army

Range: 1 - 5

Maximum Targets: 30

Mountain Cherry Blossoms.

The mountain cherry blossoms he saw when he gathered with friends, traveled with friends, killed his friends, and when he fled from his friends. A strengthening Noble Phantasm that buffs his own party by taking from his own dissipating Spirit Origin. It was originally a sacrificial Noble Phantasm that would have destroyed his entire Spirit Origin, but his acceptance and acknowledgement of his past enabled it to sublime into an Anti-Army Noble Phantasm. It is his way of setting aside with his past.

"...I am not going to flee anymore."

...He had been running this entire time. From the Shinsengumi, from his comrades, from himself.

As one of the leaders of the Shinsengumi, Yamanami had the support and trust of his comrades, but his gentle nature eventually wore him down as he grew weary of the constant power struggles within in the organization. Still, he told himself that this was the right thing to do, fought alongside his friends, and continued to work to create a new era for his country. He ran, he ran, and he kept on running...

And then one day, he turned around. His time from then on shifted to days of regret and remorse over his weakness and inadequacy, and he constantly asked himself whether there might have been another way. He found himself wondering where he and his group were going after they killed some of their own. The next thing he knew, he threw everything away and ran.

A single mountain cherry blossom petal, torn free in the turbulent winds of time, floats on a watery surface reflecting the moonlight.

Ah...the Shinsengumi...

...Are in your hands now.