The late Tokugawa shogunate or last shogun (幕末; Bakumatsu) is the period between 1853 and 1867 during which Japan ended its isolationist foreign policy called sakoku and modernized from a feudal shogunate to the Meiji government. It is at end of the Edo period and preceded the Meiji era. The major ideological/political factions during this period were divided into the pro-imperialist Ishin Shishi (nationalist patriots) and the shogunate forces, including the elite Shinsengumi (newly selected corps) swordsmen. Although these two groups were the most visible powers, many other factions attempted to use the chaos of Bakumatsu to seize personal power. The turning point of the Bakumatsu was during the Boshin War and the Battle of Toba Fushimi . The Shogun Tokugawa Yoshinobu decided to decieve his own men and sailed for Edo from Osaka Bay. That was the main reason for the imperial army's victory.

Well-known figures in this time include:

• Ohmura Masujiro
• Sakamoto Ryoma
• Kondo Isami
• Takasugi Shinsaku
• Yoshida Shoin
• Katsura Kogoro
• Nomura Motoni

Less known figures of the time:

• Hayashi Daigaku no kami (Lord Rector , Confucianist)
• Ido Tsushima no kami (Governor of Yedo, former Gov. of Nagasaki)
• Izawa Mimasaka no kami (Gov. of Uraga, former Gov of Nagasaki)
• Kawakami Gensai (Greatest of 4 hitokiri, active in assassinations during this time period)

Foreign observer Ernest Satow in Japan 1862-69

External links

• Languages and the Diplomatic Contacts in the Late Tokugawa Shogunate
• http://www.webkohbo.com/info3/bakumatu_menu/bakutop.html ((in Japanese))