110630 (community reviews) + 33 (my reviews) = 110 663
6 Likes
110663 + 30 = 110693
8 Likes
110693 + 68 = 110761
6 Likes
110 761 (community reviews) + 72 (my reviews) = 110 833
7 Likes
110833 (no reviews)
(almost d
1863
For the first ime in 230 years the Shogun travelled to Kyoto to visit the Emperor, with Iemochi taking 3000 Samurai as an escort. After the Sakuradamon and Namamugi (Richardson) incidents, and the rising tide of anti-shogunate sentiment, Iemochi knew he could not ignore the Emperor any longer. He needed to meet and discuss some way he could keep his power while appearing to give the emperor back some control.
The Shinsengumi (新選組) were formed in late 1863, and were a special police force meant to protect Shogunate representatives and its interests (They are well represented in pop culture and anime so some of you may of heard of them!) They are most famous for the Ikedaya incident, which was an encounter between the Shinsengumi and the Shishi (志士)(pro-Imperial activists, mostly Ronin). A captured member of the Shishi had confessed that some of their men were planning at the Ikedaya inn, and 34 members of the Shinsengumi immediately rushed over there to find them. They split into groups to cover all entry’s and went inside and confronted up to 20 men from rival clans. A battle ensued in and around the inn, with the Shinsengumi giving chase and searching homes of any that escaped. Overall, eight Shishi were killed and 23 arrested, while only 1 Shinsegumi member was killed (2 more died later of wonds). This event made it clear to pro-imperialist Ronin that the Shinsengumi were a force to be reckoned with, and demonstrated their ability to investigate and seek out rebels, as well as their combat ability. The Shinsengumi also went on to fight in several battles in the Boshin war
11 Likes
110833
1863/64
While the Shogunate was trying to encourage everyone to keep the peace with their newly established treaty nations, the Emperor had other plans. Knowing his side was gaining momentum, Emperor Komei finally used his position and proclaimed the edict to “Expel the Barbarians” (which was of course part of the rallying cry of pro-imperialists ‘Revere the Emperor, Expel the Barbarians’). This drove his supporting Daimyo’s to take hostile action and drive out foreigners from their cities and domains. The Shimonoseki campaign was a significant example western engagement by the prominent pro-imperialist/anti-tokugawa domain of Choshu, ruled by the powerful Mori Clan. Under direction of the new edict, they began to expel all foreigner from their domain, and in defiance of Shogunate orders, even began firing on foreign ships passing by its coast. Mori ships and land-based artillery fired on everything that passed by, and within a month had attacked basically all the countries Japan had a treaty with. In retaliation, the US sent a single warship in to attack the Mori ships, sinking two but taking significant damage and retreating. The French closely followed in with the first major battle, bringing in a small fleet of ships and landing hundreds of marines, sweeping through Shimonoseki and destroying a nearby town. A show of force and diplomatic negotiations were attempted by other nations but failed as the Choshu domain continued to attack foreign ships. The second major battle occrued as around 16 ships from various nations and 1000’s of soldiers landed around Choshu and destroyed its military capability, forcing them to surrender 2 days later.
1866
Tokugawa Iemochi died in 1866 at only 20 years old, after 8 years in office. As his adopted son was only 3 years old, the adult Tokugawa Yoshinobu was appointed the 15th (and last) Tokugawa Shogun. Yoshinobu was a military commander, and had been involved in various rebel battles, including the Kinmon Incident where he was in charge of defending the Imperial palace (the irony!) from pro-imperialist forces (mainly Shishi forces from Choshu domain). Upon taking office Yoshinobu immediately set forth in strengthening the Bakufu military, calling on assistance, training and arms from the various countries in treaty. His decisiveness and actions immediately upon taking command were viewed by opposing forces as a significant threat, some even thought he was the rebirth of Tokugawa Ieyasu himself.
11 Likes
110833
1867
In February 1867, Prince Mutsuhito ascends the throne as the 122nd Emperor of Japan at only 15 years old. While normally just referred to as “The Emperor” during his time, he is more well known by his post-humus name: Emperor Meiji. Of course, this was the man on the throne that saw the overthrowing of the Shogunate, and the new era proclaimed: Meiji (明治) ‘Enlightened Rule’. Within a year he proclaimed the Five Charter Oath, which stated that all people should be involved in all matters and decisions to be decided by the public; everyone should be able to pursue their own calling; old evil customs to be thrown out; and knowledge sought from all over the world to strengthen the country and imperial rule. All of this served to win over the people, and very quickly usher in the modernisation of Japan.
As the new emperor took the throne, the Shishi and pro-imperialists continued to fight and push for Imperial power. The Choshu expeditions sent by the shogunate to the rebel Choshu domain had been defeated, further weaking the shogunate and its hold on authority. Various Daimyo and high-ranking officials who had initially not committed to one side or another, were now petitioning Shogun Yoshinobu to come to a compromise with the emperor so that he might hold onto some power, instead of being completely squashed. At this point most Daimyo and domains were ignoring orders and questions from the Shogunate anyway. In November 1867, knowing the inevitable end result, he tendered his resignation and returned government power to the emperor, hoping to keep some authority over the Daimyo. Thus ending the 260 year rule of the Tokugawa Shogunate. He was in Kyoto at the time, but withdrew to Osaka castle to avoid the main body of rebel forces.
1868 - Despite Yoshinobu resigning as Shogun, the Tokugawa family still had some considerable sway in government and military affairs, and he hoped he may regain some power as head of the Daimyo, even though the emperor would now be primarily in control. The idea of the Tokugawa (and particularly Yoshinobu) being in control of them again was detested by all the anti-Tokugawa forces who had worked so hard to restore power to the emperor, so in early January their forces took control of Kyoto and the Imperial palace. They finally had the capital, the emperor, and majority support of the country.
On January 3rd they had Emperor Meiji declare his restoration to full power over the government and the country. This date is the official end of the Great Race
(sorry for the long data dump, just got reception and throwing out everything i missed and pre-wrote before going away)
13 Likes
110 833 (community reviews) + 49 (my reviews) = 110 882
6 Likes
110 882 (community total) + 8 (my reviews) = 110 890
7 Likes
110 882 (community total) + 52 (my reviews) = 110 942
Who get’s to be the last entry? The finish line is in sight
7 Likes
I don’t think you need to apologize to anyone in this thread for going all in with your histories! Your consistent and detailed contributions to this thread have been one of the highlights of this race. Thanks for always putting in such an effort!
12 Likes
110 942 (community total) + 30 (my reviews) = 110 972
I agree. It’s been a very educational race to read through the history of Japan while posting daily reviews. Thank you so much! 
8 Likes
110 972 (community total) + 11 (my reviews) = 110 983
Almost there! 
7 Likes
110 972 (community total) + 76 (my reviews) = 111 059
8 Likes
If no one add any new review in 2h, I can add the perfect amount to get the just count. 
9 Likes
111,059 (community total) + 43 (my reviews) = 111,102
12 Likes
Congratulations everybody!
We did it!
All participants will be rewarded with new, cool badges!
Soon, we will start a new race.
26 Likes
And that’s a wrap! Time to take a nap before the next one starts:tada:
16 Likes
Great job everyone on doing all of these reviews
Thank you @SteveB for all of the history lessons on Japan
9 Likes
I’m glad people enjoyed the posts, I certainly enjoyed writing them.
Last thing: Technically the Meiji period didnt officially stary until Oct 1868, and the Boshin war wasthe culmination of the meiji restoration, so the rest of the story:
With the full restoration of the emperor, the final conflict, the Boshin War, was set to begin. After having the emperor restore all power to himself, the Choshuu and Satsuma domains (the main drivers of the pro-imperialist forces) forged and edict that called for Yoshinobu to be stripped of all his powers and aggressive force allowed to be used against him, despite him having not actually done anything more than resign to Osaka. Yoshinobu wrote a letter of opposition to this action to the emperor, and due to the large rebel forces around Kyoto, sent it with a large force of his troops (including his Shinsengumi) to ensure it arrived safe. They were refused entry and attacked by the Satsuma & Choshu forces, resulting in the Battle of Toba-Fushimi, and the first battle of the Boshin war. The Tokugawa forces had the advantage in numbers, but the Imperialists had much more modern weapons and guns. Things quickly went bad for shogunate forces, and Yoshinobu fled back to Edo when he heard the news. After winning the battle of Toba-Fushimi, imperialist forces marched all the way to Edo, and after a few battles, forced its surrender to the emperor. While the main part of the war was over and Imperial rule secured, the final conflict occurred up north, where remaining shogunate forces and a few clans still loyal to the shogun organised the Resistance of the Northern Coalition. After initially causing some causalities to imperial forces, they were poorly equipped for any significant battle, so once reinforcements arrived, they were outgunned and defeated. Remaining forces fled to Hokkaido and tried to create an entirely new Republic of Ezo, but failed to gain any real traction and were forced to surrender to overwhelming forces 5 months later. Overall, the rebellion and Boshin war resulted in around 8000 deaths and 1000’s wounded. At the end of 1868, the emperor’s residence was moved to Edo, and the city renamed Tokyo. The domain system was abolished, along with the roles of the Daimyo. The Samurai class also came to an end, with many moving into administrative roles, but also leaving many to unemployment or working basic labour. Huge changes followed to every system in the country with the beginning of the Meiji period, quickly bring it up to speed with the rest of the world, and finally, into the country we all know and love today.
18 Likes