Battle of Ueno
Ueno Park, Tokyo, Japan
What happened
The Shōgitai, a band of former Tokugawa retainers, fought the new imperial government's army under Ōmura Masujirō, with troops from Satsuma, Chōshū and Tosa. After the shogun gave up power, the Shōgitai held out at the great temple of Kan'ei-ji in Edo (Tokyo). Imperial troops attacked the temple gate head-on, then Chōshū troops struck from behind. Modern Armstrong cannons helped decide the battle in a single day.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It ended the last resistance to the new government in Edo. Most of Kan'ei-ji's buildings were destroyed.
What came next
The temple grounds became Ueno Park in 1873, one of Japan's first public parks. A monument to the fallen Shōgitai stands there.
Did you know?
Ueno Park now holds Tokyo's national museums, Japan's first zoo and about 800 cherry trees.
Timeline
- 1625Kan'ei-ji temple is founded.
- 4 July 1868Imperial troops win at Ueno.
- 1872The Tokyo National Museum is founded.