Tokyoites and history buffs will gather in Hino City next week to celebrate Japan’s not-so-distant samurai past at the 22nd Annual Hino Shinsengumi Festival. The festival will be held on the weekend of May 11-12 with a massive samurai parade and various events related to the Shinsengumi, the Edo period police force popularly regarded Japan’s last true samurai corps.

Festivities will open with the Shinsengumi Contest on the afternoon of May 11. Samurai impersonators from around the country will compete for the chance to embody famous Shinsengumi leaders in the festival’s main event, Sunday’s Shinsengumi Parade.

Brand new this year to commemorate the 150th anniversary of his final battle, the actor selected to portray locally-born Vice-commander Hijikata Toshizo will be entrusted a brand new replica of Hijikata’s sword, Izuminokami Kanesada, based on the real sword kept at the Hijikata Toshizo Museum in the City.

At the Shinsengumi Parade on May 12, several hundred people dressed as Shinsengumi members will parade past historically relevant locations in Hino. The parade will include mock sword battles and conclude with Hijikata’s actor “returning” to Hijikata’s childhood home to ceremonially lay down his blade, where it will sleep until a new Hijikata is chosen to wield it at the festival next year.

For details about the Hino Shinsengumi Festival, parade routes, and access via public transportation, check the Hino Shinsengumi Festival’s Official English web page at http://www.city.hino.lg.jp/languages/english/1011724.html.

© Japan Today