Yamanami Keisuke

Yamanami Keisuke (山南 敬助^?, February 5, 1833 – March 20, 1865) was a Japanese samurai. He was the General Secretary (Vice Commander) of the Shinsengumi, a special police force in Kyoto during the late Edo period.

Though the details of his origin are unclear, he was thought to be the son of a kenjutsu instructor originated from the Sendai domain.

Yamanami was trained under Chiba Shusaku Narimasa, the founder of the Hokushin Itto-ryu, and attained Menkyo Kaiden (license of total transmission) sometime before 1860.

In 1860, after Yamanami was defeated by Kondō Isami in a match, he was enrolled at the Tennen Rishin-ryū's Shieikan dojo in Edo (which was run by Kondō from 1861.) Yamanami was particularly educated in literary and military arts, with a gentle personality and a kind heart. He was very much admired by the Head Instructor (Jukutou) at the Shieikan, Okita Sōjirō (the later Okita Sōji), who called him a big brother. In 1863, Yamanami, Kondo and other members of the Shieikan joined the Roshigumi, the military unit being sent to Kyoto by the Tokugawa Shogunate.

In Kyoto, Kondō and his "faction" stayed in Kyoto while the rest of the Roshigumi returned to Edo. Soon, the Mibu Roshigumi (which would eventually become known as the Shinsengumi) was formed. Yamanami served as a vice-commander, alongside Hijikata Toshizō after Niimi Nishiki was demoted for instigating a vicious street brawl with sumo wrestlers in Kyoto.

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