-
Revolutionary Warriors (Imperialists)
This is the general name for the warriors that fought for reform during the
Bakumatsu Era. They were categorized into five different groups based on where
they were born: Satsuma (Kagoshima), Choshu (Yamaguchi), Tosa (Kochi), Hizen
(Saga), and others (such as Mito and Fukuoka). Among them, Satsuma and Choshu
were proud of their influence and power in the police and military departments,
respectively. They long served as two great factions of the Meiji government.
-
Obstruction of Governmental Personnel Duties
The act of obstructing a government official or public servant from performing
their duties by using threats and/or violence.
-
The act of self-defense.
-
This refers to a social status given to those who were part of the samurai ranks
after the Meiji Restoration.
-
The Westernization policy is a government policy that aims to revise unequal
treaties by taking in Western culture to show that Japan, too, is a civilized
nation.
-
Kamiya Kasshin-ryu is a sword style with an ambition for “swords that give
life”. Kaoru Kamiya acts as an acting master.
-
A sword forged with the blade on the opposite side than usual.
-
An organization formed by the shogunate to suppress revolutionary warriors that
scheme to overthrow the government in power. The group consists of competent and
skilled swordsmen.
-
Torimono (arrest) is when the police capture or seize criminals.
-
A law that came into effect during the 9th year of Meiji prohibited both
samurais and commoners from wearing swords on their person.
-
A fast and swift Satsujinken (murderous sword) that excels in one-versus-many
combat. Hitokiri Battosai wields this sword style.
-
The given name for a legendary, skilled swordsman that operated behind the
scenes with overwhelming power and strength during the upheaval of the Bakumatsu
Era.
-
This refers to a political and social revolution from Edo to the Meiji Era. It
announced an end to the samurai-based society, and thus the samurai lost many
privileges and special rights during this time.
-
A samurai shock infantry formed during the Meiji Restoration to support the
shogunate.
-
A simple cannon used until the Bakumatsu Era. The clay balls shot out from the
wooden barrels made of oak have the same power as normal cannons at close range.
-
This is also known as “sukiyaki” in modern Japanese. This dish represents
Western cuisine and has gained popularity with and is enjoyed by the commoners.
-
A sword created to kill an enemy and his horse in one fell swoop. It is old now
and has lost its sharpness and cutting ability. Sanosuke uses it to crush his
enemies.
-
Democratic Rights Movement
A political movement that started with Taisuke Itagaki and his party filing the
“Petition for the Establishment of a Popularly Elected Assembly.” This petition
emphasized the importance of establishing the National Diet, constitutional
reform, and the participation of citizens in government.
-
A small weapon that is concealable in the palm of a hand.
-
Equality For the Four Classes
A thought process that tried to abolish discrimination based on one’s social
status in the hierarchy of merchants, artisans, farmers, and samurai in Edo
society and allowed commoners to have last names.
-
n 1868 (the year of Keio 4), the Sekiho Army was formed as a nationalist squad
immediately after the Battle of Toba-Fushimi, consisting of civilian and
nonofficial personnel. They scouted the roadside domains ahead of the Imperial
Army (Revolutionary warriors). They served as the guide and vanguard that
assisted the main forces.
-
One technique of Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu. The user slashes at the vital parts of the
entire opponent’s body in quick succession.
-
One technique of Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu. The user flies high into the sky and uses
the force of gravity to swing the blade downward upon the opponent’s head in one
fell swoop.
-
A well-known hypnotizing technique (also known as the “Isukumi Technique”), the
essence of Nikaido Heiho. It paralyzes the victim and robs them of the freedom
of movement as if they were bound by hand and foot.
-
A sword style that consists of three forms: one, eight, and 10. The name Heiho
comes from the character Hei, for flat, consisting of one, eight, or 10 strokes.
-
A technique to attack an opponent from unpredictable directions by switching the
sword to another hand behind the back.
-
A Shadow Skill of Shin no Ippo. The technique of putting a strong hypnosis on
oneself and unleashing all one’s potential power.
-
A technique where the blade of a sword races within the sheath and the sword
speed doubles, even triples, when it is drawn out. A grand sure-kill attack that
slays the opponent without providing an opportunity to counterattack.
-
One technique of Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu. A double Battojutsu using both sword and
sheath.
-
Opium is a narcotic created by drying the milky sap that can be gathered from
poppy seeds. It creates absolutely terrible withdrawal symptoms, so it was
strictly prohibited as an evil drug that could destroy an entire nation.
-
A technique of Beshimi from the Oniwaban group. A highly piercing technique
using a spirally grooved iron dart shot from the fingers.
-
The strongest spy troop and a type of spy active during the Edo era. They were a
secret organization working directly for the Shogun, comprised of those who
excelled in combat tactics more than any other onmitsu. Nowadays, they are often
referred to as shinobi or ninjas.
-
A technique of Hyottoko from the Oniwaban group. He creates fire with sacks of
oil placed inside his stomach and teeth made of flint.
-
The fourth battle of the Boshin War, fought between the Aizu Domain and the
Imperialist government army. Although the Aizu Domain surrendered, as they had
protected Kyoto before the Revolution and apprehended Imperialists, the members
of the domain were oppressed by the government for years on end since.
-
A common name for the opium that Kanryu Takeda had Megumi Takani make for him.
Its special refining process needs only half the ingredients to make but doubles
the addictive qualities.
-
A technique of Han’nya from the Oniwaban group. The horizontal stripe tattoos on
both his arms create an optical illusion to mislead the opponent.
-
A stance when both arms are extended from the Seigan stance while holding the
blade parallel between the opponent's eyebrows. A solid defense stance seen in
ancient sword arts, being able to immediately react to any change in the
opponent.
-
A sword that is between a Katana and a Wakizashi (short sword). As it is shorter
than a katana, it lacks in offensive power. However, as it is light and very
adaptable, it has high defensive power.
-
The battle that started the Boshin War in 1868 between the new government and
the old shogunate at Toba and Fushimi in the southern suburbs of Kyoto.
-
A technique of Aoshi Shinomori. A practical sword dance that combines the
movements of Kenpo with techniques of the Kodachi. The movement is of flowing
water, fluctuating speed at will.
-
One technique of Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu. This is the only unarmed technique in
Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu.
-
A weapon developed in 1861 by Gatling, an American doctor. In Japan, the
Echigo-Nagaoka Domain purchased it. In the Battle of Hokuetsu, this became a
great threat to the Imperial Army.
-
A member of the vassal corps under the direct control of the Edo shogunate
general, a samurai who was granted an audience with the army commander of the
Edo shogunate. They were the core members of the standing army directly under
the Edo shogunate.
-
Mikio Nagaoka's deadly skill. A technique in which the sword is swung low to
slither across the ground, aiming at the opponent's feet.
-
A group of swordsmen who aim to revive ancient sword art. Raijuta Isurugi is the
head of the group.
-
A secret sword that Raijuta Isurugi acquired from a secret book of ancient sword
art.
This technique uses a vacuum wave to increase the sword’s cutting power.
-
One technique of the Secret Sword Izuna. A technique in which the sword itself
is covered with a vacuum wave and slashes at the opponent. Using a real sword,
it boasts a tremendous cutting ability that can cut even a diamond in half.
-
One technique of Secret Sword Izuna. A long-range technique that sends a vacuum
wave and can attack opponents who are out of range.
-
One technique of Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu. The sword is drawn from its sheath and is
sent flying to hit opponents while spinning. The momentum of sheathing the sword
is also used to drive another attack.
-
A type of Ukiyoe, colorful paintings that convey the culture and customs of the
Meiji Era.
-
A newspaper for the public with visual components consisting of Nishiki
paintings depicting current events and a description of the print visual.
-
The phenomenon of the rapid modernization of Japan by adopting Western culture
and customs during the Meiji Era.
-
Destornillador Sable Estillo (Electric Screwdriver Blade)
A technique of Espiral Rotación. It is a saber technique that unleashes an
enormous amount of power by using built-up energy from the rotation of the
user’s body to the utmost limit.
-
Tormenta Infierno (Hell Storm)
One of the moves within the Destornillador Sable Estillo technique. It is a
thrusting move that uses built-up rotational power created from twisting the
saber.
-
Tempestar Infierno (Hell Tempest)
One of the moves within the Destornillador Sable Estillo technique. It is a
thrusting move that unleashes the power of Tormenta Infierno repeatedly.
-
Tornado Infierno (Hell Tornado)
The fastest and strongest secret move of Destornillador Sable Estillo. It is the
most powerful thrusting move that unleashes its force by adding rotational power
to the saber created by turning the user’s entire body.
-
A technique of Hajime Saito. This technique involves lowering his hips,
thrusting his blade horizontally, and pointing his blade at his opponent. From
this stance called Single Left Hand Hirazuki, where he gently places his right
hand on the back of his blade, he shortens the distance between his opponent in
one go, then rushes at and pierces his opponent.
-
This is a set of rules devised by the Shinsengumi vice-commander Toshizo
Hijikata for internal control. The code consists of five articles, and it is
said that breaking any of them would result in death by disembowelment.
-
Three Great Nobles of the Restoration
This refers to the three samurai who led Japan to reforms during the Meiji
Restoration and nation-building after the restoration: Takamori Saigo, Takayoshi
Kido, and Toshimichi Okubo.
-
This occurred on Meiji 11, May 14th when Lord of Home Ministry Toshimichi Okubo
was assassinated. Kioizaka is a hill located in present-day Chiyoda-ward in
Tokyo and got its name from being associated with the Kishu Tokugawa clan, Owari
Tokugawa clan, and Ii clan from the Hikone Domain.