Shinsengumi

The Shinsengumi was a special police force in Japan during the late Edo period (mid-1800s), primarily tasked with maintaining order in Kyoto. Known for their loyalty to the shogunate, they were composed of samurai who enforced strict discipline and fought against groups opposing the government’s authority. They played a significant role during a turbulent time when Japan was transitioning from feudal rule to modernization. Though often romanticized in stories, historically they were a disciplined, elite group committed to protecting the ruling shogunate amid political upheaval.