Historical Background
According to Watsuki's notes, Soujiro was based upon a real person. Namely Okita Soji.
Birth Name: Okita Sojiro Fujiwara no Harumasa
New Name: Okita Souji Fujiwara no Kaneyoshi
Position: Leader of the First Squad of the Shinsengumi
Date of Birth: 1844 (exact date unknown)
Place of Birth: Shirakawa mansion
Date of Death: May 30th, 1868
Place of Death: Edo
Cause of Death: Tuberculosis
Personality: Honest, polite, and good-natured by those around him but he would be a strict and quick-tempered teacher to his students
Skills: A child prodigy who could wield a katana, bokken or shinai with equal skill.