Battle of Hakodate
Hakodate and the Goryōkaku fortress, Hokkaidō, Japan
What happened
Forces of the new Meiji imperial government, led by Kuroda Kiyotaka, fought former Tokugawa shogunate forces of the Ezo Republic under Enomoto Takeaki. After the shogun's government fell, Enomoto Takeaki refused to hand over his fleet and sailed north to Hokkaidō. His men took the star-shaped fortress of Goryōkaku and founded the short-lived Ezo Republic. In spring 1869 imperial forces landed, and after fighting on land and in Hakodate Bay, the Ezo forces surrendered on 27 June 1869.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was the last stage of the Boshin War and ended armed resistance to the Meiji Restoration. It marked the end of Japan's old feudal order.
What came next
The Imperial Japanese Navy was formally set up in July 1869. After a few years in prison, Enomoto was pardoned and later served as a government minister.
Timeline
- 1866Goryōkaku fortress is completed.
- 26 October 1868Enomoto's forces take Goryōkaku.
- 25 December 1868The Ezo Republic is founded.
- 27 June 1869The Ezo forces surrender.
- 1952Goryōkaku is named a Special Historic Site.