Shogunate (幕府, Bakufu) was a governmental organization in Japan. It existed from 1185 to 1868 during 3 main periods:
- Kamakura Shogunate (1185–1333) – Established by Minamoto no Yoritomo, this was the first military government of Japan.
- Ashikaga (Muromachi) Shogunate (1336–1573) – Founded by Ashikaga Takauji, this shogunate saw a long period of feudal conflicts.
- Tokugawa (Edo) Shogunate (1603–1868) – Established by Tokugawa Ieyasu, this was the longest-lasting and most stable shogunate. It ended with the Meiji Restoration in 1868.
The events of Hakuouki are set during the last period of Shogunate and start in 1862.
Name
The word Shōgunate is derived from the word Shōgun which was a title of warlords appointed by the Emperor. However, the word "shogunate" is an Anglicism, it does not exist in Japanese, it is the English version of the word Bakufu (幕府, government behind the curtain or tent government), therefore Shogunate = Bakufu, Bakufu = Shogunate.
Purpose
The Shōgun and his advisers, Bakufu, were appointed to be in charge of the military, however, the Edo period, that Hakuouki is set in, was known for perpetual peace and lack of conflicts, which is why the Shogunate was responsible for all the administrative work and Domestic policy, including town police.
Role in the story
Hakuouki: Reimeiroku
On October 19, 1862, Kiyokawa Hachirō established the Rōshigumi using financial support from the Tokugawa Bakufu. He initially asserted that the group's purpose was to safeguard the Tokugawa Shōgun in Kyoto and prepare for potential military conflicts with Western nations. However, this was a deception—his true intention was to rally individuals who would align with the imperialists rather than serve the Shogunate/Bakufu. When Kiyokawa's true intentions were exposed in Kyoto, he swiftly ordered the Rōshigumi to return to Edo. Upon their return, the group was disbanded, but nineteen members chose to stay behind and established the Mibu Rōshigumi (壬生浪士組). After carefully assessing Kyoto's political climate, Matsudaira Katamori from the Aizu Domain decided to shift the group's mission from protecting the Shogunate/Bakufu to maintaining law and order in the city on behalf of the Tokugawa Bakufu. On August 18, 1863, the Mibu Rōshigumi was officially renamed into the Shinsengumi.
Hakuouki: Shinsengumi Kitan and Kyoto Winds
Bakufu were de facto the base for the loyalty and beliefs of the Shinsengumi members, who protected Kyoto from the position of Bakufu's representatives. Their primary mission was to suppress anti-shogunate movements, particularly those led by imperial loyalists (sonnō jōi activists). As representatives of the Tokugawa Bakufu, they maintained order in Kyoto, often using strict and ruthless methods to eliminate perceived threats to shogunal rule. Their loyalty was firmly rooted in the Bakufu, and they dedicated themselves to defending its authority against forces seeking to restore full imperial power.
In August 1864, the Bakufu organized the First Chōshū expedition and made Chōshū hand over the ringleaders of the Kinmon Rebellion. During the summer 1866, the Bakufu announced its intention to lead the Second Chōshū expedition in order to demonstrate its power to the renegade domain once again. However, Chōshū successfully defended themselves using modernized Western weaponry obtained from foreign merchants, and the Bakufu suffered considerable losses, which also resulted in losing its authority. They proclaimed Chōshū to be traitors and wrote it on noticeboards, sending the Shinsengumi to protect those noticeboards from any harm. The Shinsengumi have also become prone to mistreatment once again, since they were allied with the Bakufu, who were now perceived as weak.
By the end of 1867, as the order to begin Imperial Restoration came, Satsuma and Chōshū troops started occupying Kyoto, and allies of Tokugawa Bakufu were gradually removed from the Imperial palace, and eventually Kyoto altogether. In response, the Bakufu military forces began to march from Edo to Kyoto. As tensions rose from the approaching Shogunate armies, the Satsuma and Chōshū (SatChō 薩長) started preparing their own forces for a hostile confrontation.
On January 3rd, 1868, a dispute arose between the Satsuma Domain and a group of Shogunate/Bakufu troops attempting to enter Kyoto. Violence broke out, which lead to a war between the Shogunate/Bakufu army of ~15000 men and the SatChō forces of ~5000 men. Despite the considerable difference in numbers, the SatChō had modern weaponry from their foreign allies, so they managed to get the upper hand. The Battle of Toba-Fushimi was the first major point in the following event called the Boshin War.
Hakuouki: Hekketsuroku and Edo Blossoms
The Battle of Toba-Fushimi ended in a decisive Imperial victory, forcing Tokugawa Yoshinobu (the last Shōgun) to retreat to Edo. On April 11, 1868, Edo Castle was surrendered without bloodshed, preventing massive destruction. This effectively marked the end of the Tokugawa Shogunate, but loyalists, including the Shinsengumi and Aizu, continued to fight.
In early 1868, the Shinsengumi attempted to seize Kōfu Castle in an effort to regain power for the Bakufu. However, their forces faced unexpected resistance, further marking the weakening influence of the Tokugawa government as the Imperial Army gained strength. Certain characters, such as Nagakura, did not wish to keep protecting the Shōgun as his retainer, which prompted him and Harada to leave.
During the Battle of Ueno on July 4, 1868, the Shinsengumi, led by Hijikata, fought valiantly to protect the Tokugawa regime, but they were heavily outnumbered and faced the superior Imperial forces. The Shinsengumi suffered significant casualties during the battle, and many of their members were either killed or captured. The battle was a decisive defeat for the Tokugawa loyalists, effectively marking the end of the Shinsengumi's role in the Boshin War.
In December 1868, Enomoto Takeaki, a former Tokugawa navy admiral, led eight warships and 3,000 men to Hokkaido in order to establish the Ezo Republic in Hakodate, hoping to create a state led by the Shogunate. Enomoto modernized his forces and fortified Goryōkaku, a Western-style fortress.
In April 1869, the Imperial Army launched a massive naval and land assault on Hakodate. The Bakufu navy was destroyed, and Goryōkaku was surrounded by Imperial troops. On May 18, 1869, Enomoto Takeaki surrendered, ending the last Shogunate resistance.