What was the role of the Aizu Domain in the Boshin War?

The Aizu Domain played a central military role during the Boshin War as a steadfast supporter of the Tokugawa Shogunate. Based at Tsuruga Castle, Aizu forces fought against the advancing Meiji restoration armies in northern Japan during the autumn of 1868. Ultimately, the conflict in the region culminated in the Battle of Aizu before the domain's territory was later dissolved and absorbed into Fukushima Prefecture.

What we know

• The Aizu Domain was based at Tsuruga Castle in Mutsu Province. [2]
• The Battle of Aizu was fought in northern Japan from October to November in autumn 1868 as part of the Boshin War. [3]
• The Aizu Domain was ruled for most of its existence by the Aizu-Matsudaira clan, a cadet branch of the Tokugawa clan. [2]
• Following the abolition of the han system in 1871, the territory of the Aizu Domain was absorbed into Fukushima Prefecture. [2]

Where to go next

• a case in pointWhat happened during the Battle of Aizu?
• the bigger pictureHow did the Boshin War reshape Japan?
• compared withWhat was the role of the Sendai Domain in the northern alliance?
• what followedHow did the Meiji government dissolve the han system?
• whenWhen was Tsuruga Castle established as the domain base?
• an unexpected connectionHow did late shogunate loyalists connect to early imperial naval leaders?Figures like Baron Dewa Shigetō grew up during the tumultuous late Tokugawa period and went on to shape the modern Imperial Japanese Navy.

Sources

• [1]Aizu Domain (Wikidata Q4389944) · CC0 1.0
• [2]Aizu Domain · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]Battle of Aizu · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]Dewa Shigetō · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]Sendai Domain · CC BY-SA 4.0

Your path

1. Why did the Fourth Macedonian War end Macedonian freedom?
2. /What was the role of the Aizu Domain in the Boshin War?