Online dictionary of history and traditions in Japan: Bakumatsu

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French version

Bakumatsu

幕末
alternative words: Bakumatsu period
keywords: epoch , meiji revolution
related topics: Meiji revolution , Edo shogunate , Sakoku , Commodore Perry , Tokugawa Yoshinobu , Shinsengumi , Boshin war
related web sites: http://www2.plala.or.jp/shyall/ , http://www.sciencevillage.com/House/4-bakumatu.htm , http://m1.aol.com/mhokada/katu/ziten.html
explanation: Literally "end of shogunate", the period spanning between the arrival of Commodore Perry in 1853 and the fall of Edo shogunat in 1868. After 2 century old Sakoku, Edo shogunat had to cede before a threat of 4 American ships. Before this weakness of shogunat, some seigniors began to equip their own army with western technology to destabilize it, while Tokugawa regime recruited volunteers (Shinsengumi) to stop its decline. Finally, Tokugawa Yoshinobu returned back the power to Emperor in 1868.