Who built Edo Castle?

The construction of Edo Castle was begun by Tokugawa Ieyasu soon after he became shogun in 1603. He died in 1616, but the work was continued by his successors and finally finished in 1639.

What happened to Edo Castle?

Many of the castle buildings, including Edo Castle's main keep, burnt down in 1657, when a huge inferno engulfed the whole city, which is said to have killed around 100,000 people.

Who lived in Edo Castle?

Edo Castle served as the seat of government for the Tokugawa family for more than 260 years. After the Meiji Restoration of 1868, Edo Castle became the residence of the imperial family and was renamed the Imperial Palace.

Edo Castle

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Definition

Edo Castle was a large castle built by the Tokugawa family in 17th-century Japan. It served as their seat of government for more than 260 years. After the Meiji Restoration of 1868, Edo became the capital of Japan and was renamed Tokyo. Edo Castle became the residence of the imperial family and was renamed the Imperial Palace.

More about: Edo Castle

Timeline

1603 - 1868
Edo period. The Tokugawa Shogunate rules Japan.
1603
Tokugawa Ieyasu is appointed as shogun. Construction of Edo Castle begins.
1639
Construction of Edo Castle is complete.
1657
Edo Castle burns down.
1868
The Meiji Restoration eliminates the position of shogun in Japan, Edo is renamed Tokyo, and Edo Castle becomes the Imperial Palace.