December 2023

Kyoto and Nakagyo Ward History: "The August 18 Coup d'État ~ The Ikedaya Incident"

The political upheaval of August 18th In Kyoto, a radical Sonnō jōi faction centered around the Chōshū domain emerged, and Sonnō jōi-affiliated court nobles such as Sanjō Sanetomi and Anegakōji Kintomo expanded their influence, aligning with Chōshū. In response, the Kobu-Gattai faction sought to regain control. The Satsuma domain, part of the Kobu-Gattai faction, approached the Aizu domain, which held the position of Kyoto Shugoshoku, and planned to expel Sonnō jōi-affiliated court nobles and the Chōshū domain from the imperial court. On August 18, 1863, troops led by the Aizu and Satsuma domains blockaded the nine gates of the Kyoto Imperial Palace and carried out a coup. As a result, […]