Culture

September 2 — Japan's History and Today

September 4, 2026

On September 2, significant events in Japanese history include the change of shogunate leadership in 1264 and the First Choshu Expedition in 1864. These events played key roles in Japan’s feudal government and late Edo period political dynamics.

1264 Change of Kamakura Shogunate Regent On September 2, 1264 (Bun'ei 1, 8th month, 11th day), Hojo Tokiyori, the regent (shikken) of the Kamakura shogunate, retired due to illness, and Hojo Masamura became the 7th regent. The position of shikken was the de facto highest authority in the shogunate, and this leadership shift greatly influenced the government.

Understanding the role of shikken helps in grasping Japan’s medieval samurai governance system, which is significant for foreigners living in Japan who want to understand Japanese history and culture.

1864 First Choshu Expedition In 1864 (Genji 1, 8th month, 2nd day), Shogun Tokugawa Iemochi ordered 35 domains in the Chugoku and Shikoku regions to launch a military campaign against the Choshu domain. This was part of the complex political conflicts during Japan’s late Edo period, leading toward the Meiji Restoration.

This event reveals the limits of shogunate control and the rising opposition by regional domains. Knowing this background helps in understanding Japan’s modern political developments.