History of Tokyo gives an insight into the course of events that has helped in building up Tokyo as the capital of this phenomenal country. Tokyo history can be divided into a number of stages for easier understanding.
Early History of Tokyo - Proof of early habitation dating back to 30,000 B.C. has been discovered in regions around present day Tokyo. However, recorded history of Tokyo goes back to 6th century B.C. when Japanese people imbibed Chinese form of character writing, their art and architectural forms, and started adopting Buddhism as their religion.
Tokyo during Feudal Period - The feudal period in Japan saw the emergence of warrior class as the rulers of Tokyo. Minamoto Yoritomo, a young warrior of the end 12th century, was the pioneer of this movement against imperial lords for gaining supremacy of land. He set up his capital in Kamakura, a fishing village near Tokyo, and formed the first shogunate or military government. The military form of governance in Japan lasted till the middle of the 19th century.
Tokyo during Edo Period - . Edo period in Tokyo began with the ascendancy of Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1590. Edo literally meaning 'mouth of the estuary' was a marshy village which eventually evolved to become current
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day's Tokyo. Tokugawa acquired eight provinces around Edo, reclaimed land, constructed fresh water channels, and built a castle with moat. During the Edo period the 'daimyo' or feudal lord lost their importance, and the shogunate at Edo became powerful.
Tokyo during Meiji – The Meiji period in the history of Tokyo is associated with Emperor Meiji who was the ruler of Japan from 1868 to 1911. Significant changes in political and economic setup came about. A feudal society with an agricultural economy was transformed into an industrial nation. In the political sphere, the samurai or warriors were removed of all their powers and prohibited to carry their swords, a constitution was drafted, Diet (Parliament) was elected, and a prime minister and cabinet were appointed. Postal system and railway was introduced for faster communication and movement.
Tokyo and World War II - During the 1930s and 1940s Japan embarked upon an expansionist drive to Hong Kong, Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Burma, Guam, parts of China. Their advancing military was halted by Allied Forces. United States dropped the first two atomic bombs: Fat Man, and Little Boy over the Japanese towns of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945. Japan surrendered to the Allied Forces on 14th August, 1945.
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