Behind the Story of “Blood and Tears” – The Battle of Toba Fushimi
鳥羽伏見の戦い
Source: The British Museum
The Battle of Toba Fushimi was fought January 27-30, 1868, between Tokugawa loyalists and pro-Imperial troops from the Satsuma, Choshu and Tosa domains.
This battle marks the beginning of the Boshin War, which was triggered by the Tokugawa Shogunate surrendering the country’s ruling authority to the Meiji Emperor.
Despite being outnumbered 3:1, the pro-Imperial forces used modern weaponry and military strategy to decimate the disorganized Tokugawa troops. The demoralizing defeat marked the tipping point in the growing dissatisfaction against the Shogunate, and many domain lords switched sides to join the Imperial faction.
After months of diminishing support from domain lords, on April 11, 1868 (lunar calendar), the Shogun agreed to surrender and moved out of Edo Castle.
New episode every Monday!
- Follow on Twitter
- Follow on the Everyst app
