What is bakumatsu period?

The Bakumatsu period in Japanese history refers to the final years of the Tokugawa Shogunate, which ruled Japan between 1603 and 1868. The Bakumatsu period began in 1853 when U.S. Commodore Matthew Perry arrived in Japan with his "Black Ships," leading to the end of Japan's isolationist policy and the opening of Japan to foreign trade and influence.

The Bakumatsu period was marked by significant political and social changes, including the emergence of various factions advocating for modernization and the abolishment of the feudal system. These factions included the shogunate loyalists, the imperial loyalists, and the nationalists.

In 1868, a group of samurai from the Choshu and Satsuma domains led a rebellion against the shogunate and established the Meiji Restoration, which marked the end of the Bakumatsu period and the beginning of the Meiji era. The Meiji Restoration led to significant reforms, including the modernization of Japanese society and government, the abolishment of the feudal system, and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy.