Japans Edo era and Meiji era

Edo's key moments

Oct 2, 1600

After Hideyoshi had died in 1598 Tokugawa Ieyasu was the most powerful man in Japan. In the battle of Sekigahara in 1600, Ieyasu defeated the Hideyori loyalists and other Western rivalsThe Tokugawa shoguns continued to rule Japan for a remarkable 250 years.In 1633, shogun Iemitsu forbade travelling abroad and almost completely isolated Japan in 1639 by reducing the contacts to the outside world. In 1867-68, the Tokugawa government fell because of heavy political pressure,and the Meji ruled agian

Edo period

Period: Sep 19, 1603 to Sep 19, 1887

1603 Ieyasu is appointed shogun and establishes the Tokugawa government in Edo (Tokyo).
1614 Ieyasu intensifies persecution of Christianity.
1615 The Toyotomi clan is destroyed after Ieyasu captures Osaka Castle.
1639 Almost complete isolation of Japan from the rest of the world.
1688-1703 Genroku era: popular culture flourishes.
1792 The Russians unsuccessfuly try to establish trade relations with Japan.
1854 Commodore Matthew Perry forces the Japanese government to open a limited number

Meji key points

Oct 4, 1816

The emperor Meiji was moved from Kyoto to Tokyo which became the new capital; his imperial power was restored. The actual political power was transferred from the Tokugawa Bakufu into the hands of a small group of nobles and former samurai.

Meiji era

Period: Sep 19, 1868 to Sep 19, 1912

1868 Meiji restoration.
1872 First railway line between Tokyo and Yokohama.
1889 The Meiji Constitution is promulgated.
1894-95 Sino-Japanese War.
1904-05 Russo-Japanese War.
1910 Annexation of Korea.
1912 Death of emperor Meiji.