jan 1, 1858 - Tokugawa Iemochi Becomes 14th Shogun

Description:

Iemochi, the grandson of Tokugawa Ienari, became the 14th Shogun at age 12 and reigned for eight years. He presided over a period of internal turmoil set in motion by the arrival of Commodore Perry and his American fleet. Becoming the first shogun since Iemitsu in 1634 to travel to Kyoto, Iemochi tried to strengthen the power of the Shogunate and its ties to the emperor. He ended Sankin Kotai, the system of alternate attendance in Edo, thereby weakening the shogun's control of Japan's daimyo class. Undermined by incompetent advisors, Iemochi fell ill and died childless at age 20.

Added to timeline:

Date: