<p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Himura_Kenshin#Creation_and_conception">According to the author</a><sup>1</sup>, he is based on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawakami_Gensai">Kawakami Gensai</a>, a Japanese samurai of the late Edo period, who was executed by the Meiji Government.  </p>

<p>Not having seen the series nor being familiarized with the Gensai's story, I cannot tell you how much of it is based on samurai's story and how much of it is fiction. </p>

<hr>

<p><sup>1: *Watsuki, Nobuhiro (2003). "The Secret Life of Characters (1) Himura Kenshin". <em>Rurouni Kenshin, Volume 1</em>. Viz Media. p. 56. ISBN 1-59116-220-3.</sup></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-12-16T17:59:52.900Z
2013-08-26T14:53:53.600Z
2013-08-26T14:53:53.600Z
JNat
<p>I've been told that Kenshin, at least partially, is based on a real life assassin. Who was he based on, and what pieces of his story are inspired by this person?</p>

<rurouni-kenshin>
Who is Kenshin based on?
# Who is Kenshin based on?
Posted by: username_0 on 2012-12-16
I've been told that Kenshin, at least partially, is based on a real life assassin. Who was he based on, and what pieces of his story are inspired by this person?
**Tags:** rurouni-kenshin
---
## 1 answers
### Answer by username_1 on 2012-12-16. Score: 15 | Accepted answer
[According to the author](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Himura_Kenshin#Creation_and_conception)1, he is based on [Kawakami Gensai](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawakami_Gensai), a Japanese samurai of the late Edo period, who was executed by the Meiji Government.

Not having seen the series nor being familiarized with the Gensai's story, I cannot tell you how much of it is based on samurai's story and how much of it is fiction.

---

1: \*Watsuki, Nobuhiro (2003). "The Secret Life of Characters (1) Himura Kenshin". *Rurouni Kenshin, Volume 1*. Viz Media. p. 56. ISBN 1-59116-220-3.
---
