photo #1571191

Byakko-tai (White Tigers):Less well known than the 47 R ônins, this tragic episode of the Boshin War, between shogunal and imperial troops, probably remains one of Samurai's last great fights before their disappearance from Japanese society. Above all, he has been famous for his very young fighters loyalty to the Shogun, and is still the subject of true worship for the Japanese.By the end of the Boshin War, all the Japanese provinces had already fallen into the hands of the new Imperial Army (Kangun). The last troops remaining faithful to the Shogun had retracted to Aizu-Wakamatsu Castle. Four companies were created: White Tiger (Byakko-Tai), Green Dragon (Seiryu-Tai), Red Sparrow (Suzaku-Tai) and Black Turtle (Gembu-Tai), with reference to the 4 cardinal points of Chinese astrology.The White Tiger body (Byakko-Tai) consisted of 3 companies of more than 300 sons of warriors, ages 15 These had received a French military education, like all shogunal troops. Refugees at the top of Mount Iimori, they thought they saw smoke escaping from Aizu Castle, meaning his take. The last 19 survivors then decided to commit suicide by Seppuku, rather than falling into the hands of their enemies. Their loyalty to the Shogun's cause admired the whole new Imperial Nation.© Charles-Pierre Serain (October 10, 2021)