Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Construction starts on Katsura-Rikyū Imperial Villa. The villa was originally built to house an ad-
opted son of Tokugawa Hideyoshi. The imperial family cooperates in the construction.
1646
Omotesenke teaceremony school is founded by Sen Sosa, the great-grandson of Sen no Rikyū,
Japan's great tea master. The school remains in Kyoto to this day.
1662
The first Daimon-ji Gozan Okuribi, in which a giant Chinese character is set alight on the side of
a mountain in eastern Kyoto, is held.
1853
American Commodore Matthew Perry's 'black ships' arrive at Uraga Harbour (part of present-day
Yokosuka), leading to a treaty allowing American trade with Japan.
1867
An alliance of the Chōshū and Satsuma daimyō (domain lords) and the titular Emperor Meiji over-
throws the Tokugawa Shōgunate and restores imperial rule (the so-called 'Meiji Restoration').
1869
The 17-year-old Emperor Meiji moves from Kyoto to Edo, renamed Tokyo the year before, where
Japan's new political and economic capital is established.
1871
Japan's first exposition is held in Kyoto. The Miyako and Kamogawa odori (dances performed by
geisha and apprentice geisha) are first performed at the Kyoto exhibition the following year.
1890
The Sosui Canal, linking Biwa-ko (a lake in nearby Shigaken) and Kyoto is completed. The canal
is still in use and can be seen running through the grounds of Nanzen-ji.
1895
Kyoto celebrates the 1100th year of its founding; a street tram service begins operation; and
Hieanjingū, one of the city's most popular Shintō shrines, is built.
1915
