Battle of Toba-Fushimi
Toba and Fushimi, south of Kyoto, Japan
What happened
Imperial forces from the Satsuma, Chōshū and Tosa domains fought the much larger army of the Tokugawa shogunate under Tokugawa Yoshinobu. In January 1868, shogunate troops marched on Kyoto to challenge the domains that controlled the emperor's court. Fighting broke out at Toba and Fushimi, south of the city. When the imperial side raised the emperor's brocade banner, shogunate troops lost heart, and after four days they were pushed back toward Osaka.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It began the Boshin War, which ended the rule of the Tokugawa shōguns. It was a key step in the Meiji Restoration, which returned power to the emperor.
What came next
Yoshinobu fled by ship to Edo, and Osaka Castle surrendered. In May 1868 Edo (now Tokyo) was handed over through negotiation rather than by assault, and the last shogunate forces surrendered at Hakodate in June 1869.
Did you know?
Yoshinobu spent a night aboard an American warship, the USS Iroquois, on his way back to Edo.
Timeline
- 27 January 1868Fighting begins at Toba.
- 31 January 1868The shogunate's army is driven back toward Osaka.
- May 1868Edo surrenders through negotiation.
- 27 June 1869The last shogunate forces surrender at Hakodate.