The four main sources I referred to today (from left to right ):
My “Samurai Revolution”; “Kyōto Shugoshoku Shimatsu: Kyū Aizu Han Rōshin no Shuki” (Yamakawa Hiroshi’s history of the protector of Kyoto, the office held by Aizu daimyo Matsudaira Katamori, master of the Shinsengumi), Vol. 2; “Tokugawa Yoshinobukō-den” (Shibusawa Eiichi’s seminal biography of the last shogun, Tokugawa Yoshinobu); Vol. 3; Katsu Kaishu’s “Bakumatsu Journal” (the Kodansha edition).
Each day brings new discoveries and ideas — as I continue writing.