Historical Investigations: The Meiji Restoration

Thought Co describes the history of the Samurai from the Taika Reforms to the Meiji restoration.

Drawing on woodblock prints of the era, this site provides a summary of the Meiji restoration of the imperial line in Japan with the overthrow of the shoguns in 1868, setting Japan on the path of Westernisation and modernisation.

Japan's Tokugawa (or Edo) period, from 1603 to 1867, would be the final era of traditional Japanese government, culture and society before the Meiji Restoration of 1868 toppled the long-reigning Tokugawa shoguns and propelled the country into the modern era.

The Japan Guide website provides a concise history of Japan from earliest times to post World War II. Featured periods include: Nara, Heian Periods, Kamakura Period, Muromachi Period, Azuchi-Momoyama Period, Edo Period and the Meiji Period.