The Goryo Eji (御陵衛士, Goryō-eji, Lit. "Imperial Mausoleum Guard") is an organization featured in Ryu Ga Gotoku Ishin!/Like a Dragon: Ishin!. They are based on the real-life organization of the same name.
Background
The Goryo Eji was formed by Ito Kashitaro, the Military Advisor of the Shinsengumi's high-command, after the Shinsengumi had practically collapsed following several humiliating defeats and murders of high-ranking members. Despite what the Goryo Eji's name might imply, the group served as a general police force which patrolled all of Kyoto; not just the Imperial cemetery.
Alongside Ito, Shinsengumi Unit Captains Takeda Kanryusai and Todo Heisuke also defected to form the organization. However, Todo was a double-agent within the Goryo Eji, working in service of the Shinsengumi's Vice-Commander, Hijikata Toshizo.
Ryu Ga Gotoku Ishin!/Like a Dragon: Ishin!
Shinsengumi Military Advisor Ito (who was a traitor within the organization secretly working for Takechi Hanpeita to overthrow the Tokugawa Bakufu's government) ordered several Shinsengumi units to start fires across Kyoto through forged orders from Commander Kondo Isami. This ruse was meant to destroy the Shinsengumi's already frail reputation, by making the group's leader seem like unstable, violent fanatics who would be willing to burn down Kyoto to destroy the enemies of the Tokugawa Shogunate. Even though Ito is uncovered as a traitor, his ruse was successful as it managed to ruin the Shinsengumi's public reputation and it persuaded most of their soldiers to desert the group in favor of his new Goryo Eji.
The Goryo Eji would spend the next few weeks getting into fights with the few remaining Shinsengumi soldiers, whittling down their numbers until the only members left openly wearing the group's uniform were its Vice-Commander Hijikata Toshizo and Unit Captains Okita Soji, Nagakura Shinpachi and Saito Hajime. Despite the Goryo's best efforts, however, those four men remained uncaught by their assassins. This was due to assistance from Todo Heisuke, who was feeding Hijikata information on how to avoid Ito's men. Eventually, Takeda realized Todo was a double-agent and killed him, only to be assassinated in turn by Saito.
When Takechi Hanpeita started gathering all his allies in Tosa to mobilize against the Shogunate, Ito and the Goryo Eji were among those who joined his coalition at Lord Yamauchi Yodo's castle. However, the gathering was attacked by the surviving members of the Shinsengumi, who intended to assassinate Takechi. Ito and several of his men confronted the attackers in the castle's machine room, leading to a brawl. The battle culminated with Hijikata killing Ito and the Shinsengumi troops proceeding towards Takechi's quarters.
Following the death of Ito and the collapse of Takechi and Yamauchi's conspiracy, the Goryo Eji was disbanded by the new Imperialist government.
Notable Members
- Ito Kashitaro - Commander
- Takeda Kanryusai - Unit Captain
- Todo Heisuke - Unit Captain
Gallery
