Natasha Brighty, Anna Walker and Hossein Khatibi, “Shinsengumi”
Mentor: Aragorn Quinn, Global Studies, Letters & Science (College of)
Visual Arts #93
We are creating a digital companion to temporally and spatially walk users through mid-1860’s Kyoto, Japan. Through a visual and interactive experience, users follow an elite group of swordsmen called the Shinsengumi. Based on the text Shinsengumi: Keppūroku by Shiba Ryōtarō, translated by Aragorn Quinn, we linearly present the events in chronological order. Due to the original text not being presented in a chronological order, readers may find it difficult to follow the events. With the Shinsengumi being such an integral part of Japanese history, it is necessary to be able to present the information in an accessible and easy to understand manner. We are utilizing ArcGis Online in order to create data points and areas that are relevant to the story. In doing so, we are able to take advantage of the Experience Builder application within ArcGis Online to construct a visually appealing interface. The map we are using is a historic map of Kyoto, Japan in the mid-1860’s that we have georeferenced with current-day satellite maps. A great deal of conflict arose during the time of the Shinsengumi, much of which is still integral to Japanese culture. Monuments, temples, and even forms of entertainment media still exist and are produced from the many events during the Shinsengumi’s presence in Kyoto. The significance of this web application establishes an effective means to distribute the historical context to a broader audience. Through our web application, we anticipate being able to deliver an enjoyable and informative experience with respect to learning about the rise and fall of the Shinsengumi. Key terms that we will define include: Shinsengumi, Shogun/Shogunate, and Kyoto (Japan).