Kiheitai - Kiheitai

The first militia of the Choshu Domain was founded by Takasugi Shinsaku in June 1863 (Bunkyu 3). In May of the same year, the Choshu Domain carried out the expulsion of foreigners (Joi) and bombarded foreign ships passing through the Shimonoseki Strait. As a result, the Domain suffered retaliation attacks from American and French ships from that month to the following month, and the Shimonoseki Maeda Battery was temporarily occupied, forcing the Domain into a difficult situation. To overcome this difficult situation, the Domain government appointed Takasugi Shinsaku, who was under house arrest. Takasugi organized a militia different from the Domain government's regular army at the home of wealthy Shimonoseki merchant Shiraishi Shoichiro, and named it the Kiheitai. The Kiheitai was formed by recruiting 500 volunteers from among samurai, subordinate vassals, farmers, and townspeople, regardless of social status, and Takasugi served as its commander, appointing capable individuals to senior positions. Many commoners also participated, including the Komyo-ji Party, a group of volunteers that had been in existence until then. The members were provided with weapons and salaries by the domain, and even members of commoner background were allowed to use their surnames and carry swords. The Kiheitai's garrison was initially located in Shimonoseki, but later moved to Yoshida Village, Asa County (Yoshida, Shimonoseki City). In 1865 (Keio 1), the Kiheitai fought as the main force of various units in the internal conflict within the domain, and the following year, during the Second Choshu Expedition, they played an active role as the main force in the Battle of Buzenguchi and occupied Kokura Castle. In 1868 (Keio 4), they participated in the Battle of Toba-Fushimi during the Boshin War, and then fought bravely in the Hokuetsu War. As a result, 77 members were killed in battle, 61 died of wounds and illness, and about 199 were injured. The following year, the various units were disbanded due to military reform. The Kiheitai and other units opposed the disbandment, and caused a riot by defecting from the unit and fighting against the feudal government forces, but the rebellion was eventually lifted.

[Nobuhisa Hirota]

"The Kiheitai Diary, four volumes (1918, Japanese Historical Records Association)" ▽ "Choshu in the Bakumatsu Period, by Akira Tanaka (Chuko Shinsho)"

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

1863年（文久3）6月高杉晋作(しんさく)によって創設された長州藩最初の民兵隊。同年5月長州藩は攘夷(じょうい)を決行し、下関(しものせき)海峡を通航する外国船を砲撃した。このため同月から翌月にかけて米・仏艦から報復攻撃を受け、下関前田砲台が一時占領されるなど苦戦を強いられた。この難局を打開するため、藩府は謹慎中の高杉晋作を登用。高杉は下関の豪商白石正一郎宅で藩府の正規軍とは異なる民兵隊を組織し、奇兵隊と名づけた。奇兵隊は身分にこだわらず、武士、陪臣(ばいしん)、百姓、町人の中から、500名の有志の者を募って組織し、高杉が総督となり、幹部には実力のある者を任命した。庶民の参加者も多く、これまであった有志の集団、光明寺党などもこれに加わった。隊士は武器と俸給が藩から支給され、庶民出身者も苗字(みょうじ)帯刀が許された。奇兵隊の駐屯所は最初は下関に置かれたが、のち厚狭(あさ)郡吉田村（下関市大字吉田）に移った。1865年（慶応1）の藩内の内訌(ないこう)戦には諸隊方の主力となって戦い、翌年の第二次長州征伐時には豊前口(ぶぜんぐち)の戦いの主力軍として活躍し、小倉城を占領した。続いて68年（慶応4）戊辰(ぼしん)戦争では鳥羽(とば)・伏見(ふしみ)の戦いに参加、さらに北越戦争で奮戦した。このため戦死者77名、戦傷病死者61名、負傷者約199名を出した。翌年兵制改革により諸隊は解散された。奇兵隊はじめ諸隊士は解散に反対し、脱隊騒動を起こして藩府軍と戦ったが、やがて鎮圧解除された。

［広田暢久］

『『奇兵隊日記』全四巻（1918・日本史籍協会）』▽『田中彰著『幕末の長州』（中公新書）』

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