Okita Sōji

Okita Sōji Fujiwara no Kaneyoshi
Native name
沖田 総司 藤原 房良
Birth nameOkita Sōjirō Fujiwara no Harumasa (沖田 宗次郎 藤原 春政)
Born1842/1844
Edo, Japan
Died19 July 1868 (aged 24-26)
Edo, Japan
Buried
Allegiance
BranchRōshigumi (former)
Mibu Rōshigumi (former)
Shinsengumi
Years of service1863–1868
RankAssistant to the vice commander of the Shinsengumi, Captain
CommandsShinsengumi first unit
Battles / warsIkedaya incident
Kinmon incident
Akebonotei incident
Boshin War
Relations
Other workKenjutsu instructor

Okita Sōji (沖田 総司; 1842 or 1844 – July 19, 1868) was a Japanese samurai and the captain of the first unit of the Shinsengumi, a special police force in Kyoto during the late shogunate period. He was one of the best swordsmen of the Shinsengumi.