Gakuheitai

The Gakuheitai (額兵隊, "Western-style Army/Forehead Army'') was a rifle unit with Western-style weapons, training, and uniforms founded in 1868 in the Sendai Domain, serving during the Boshin War on the side of the Ōuetsu Reppan Dōmei.

Background

Following the Ōuetsu Reppan Dōmei's defeat at the Battle of Toba–Fushimi, the Sendai Domain, which had joined the faction due to its historical loyalty to the Shogun and its will to protect regional interests, found itself in danger. It was clear that it needed to intervene quickly if it wanted to survive the war. The Sendai Domain then began investing in equipping, training, and mobilizing its army.

Samurai and Confucian scholar Hoshi Juntarō, who had studied Western infantry and artillery tactics under shogunate retainers was recalled and given the task of forming a new army adapted for modern warfare.

The Gakuheitai

The unit contained six platoons of roughly 800 men, composed of the second and third sons of various samurai clans. The unit was armed with British Sider-Enfield rifles, several field guns, and a howitzer purchased from arms dealers in Yokohama, where Hoshi had been stationed before being recalled. It was trained in linear formations and volley fire.

The unit also had engineers and a military band attached to it. The Gakuheitai wore distinct reversible red and black wool tunics inspired by the uniforms of the British Army and wore French-style kepis as headgear.

In the Boshin War

After the Sendai Domain surrendered in September 1868, Hoshi refused to do so, and the Gakuheitai marched to Sōma Nakamura Castle and occupied it. After being pleaded with by the Daimyō of the Sendai Domain, Date Yoshikuni, to leave the castle, they complied, potentially preventing a fight.

After rumors spread that Hoshi had been assassinated by Yoshikuni, many members of the Gakuheitai deserted, causing a significant decrease in the unit's strength.

Enomoto Takeaki, who was an admiral of the Shogunate's navy at the time, anchored in Matsushima Bay and persuaded Hoshi to board his ship and sail to Ezo. About 250 members of the Gakuheitai followed Hoshi and sailed north to Hakodate, where the Gakuheitai had participated in the siege of Matsumae and the pursuit of Esashi. And later fighting, many to their deaths, in the Battle of Hakodate, most notably in Kikonai and Yabura.

The Gakuheitai were disbanded on May 18th 1869.

References

• Yoshikawa Kobunkan, Records of the Words and Deeds of Famous Generals of the Early Modern Era, 1934.

• Takahashi Korekiyo, Korekiyo's Testament: A Testament to the Japanese People, Mikasa Shobo, 1936.

• Ryoichi Hoshi, "Sendai Boshin War History: The Heroes Who Aimed for a Northern Government", 2008. ISBN 9784384041996.

• Kahoku Shimpo, The Honor of Ouu: 150 Years Since the Boshin War, 2019.