Boshin War: How Japan's Samurai Rule Ended in 1868-69
The Boshin War, which took place from 1868 to 1869, marked the conclusion of over 700 years of samurai governance in Japan. The conflict was ignited by the arrival of US Commodore Matthew Perry in July 1853, prompting Japan to open its borders. This led to the Convention of Kanagawa in 1854 and fueled anti-shogunate feelings among lower-ranking samurai in Satsuma and Choshu. On January 3, 1868, Emperor Meiji proclaimed the end of the Tokugawa Shogunate. The war commenced on January 27, 1868, with the Imperial Army's victory at the Battle of Toba-Fushimi. Edo Castle capitulated in April 1868, and following the Battle of Ueno on July 4, 1868, Edo was renamed Tokyo. The last stand was quashed at the Battle of Hakodate on June 27, 1869.
Key facts
- The Boshin War occurred from 1868 to 1869.
- US Commodore Matthew Perry arrived in July 1853 with four warships.
- The Convention of Kanagawa was signed in 1854.
- The Battle of Toba-Fushimi took place on January 27, 1868.
- Imperial forces used modern weapons like Enfield rifles and Gatling guns.
- Edo Castle surrendered peacefully in April 1868.
- The Republic of Ezo was declared in December 1868.
- The Battle of Hakodate ended on June 27, 1869.
- The Conscription Ordinance of 1873 ended the samurai military monopoly.
Entities
Artists
- Emperor Meiji
- Tokugawa Yoshinobu
- Saigō Takamori
- Katsu Kaishū
- Enomoto Takeaki
- Jules Brunet
- Hijikata Toshizō
Institutions
- Tokugawa Shogunate
- Satsuma-Choshu coalition
- Imperial Army
- Shogitai
- Shinsengumi
- Republic of Ezo
Locations
- Japan
- Uraga Channel
- Satsuma
- Choshu
- Kyoto
- Edo
- Tokyo
- Kaneiji Temple
- Hakodate
- Goryokaku