Tokyo vs. Kyoto #Shorts

▼The Full History of Capital Relocation in Japan▼

If you’ve ever considered coming to Japan before, you might have noticed that the names of the two major cities, Tokyo and Kyoto, have very similar names.

But why? It is because they were both the capitals of Japan.

Kyoto became the capital of Japan in 794, and from there until the end of the Edo period in 1868, the Imperial Family continued to live there for more than 1,000 years.

The Tokyo area also started to hold the function of the capital in terms of economy and politics, since the time the samurai gained power and the Kamakura Shogunate was established (1185). The Edo Shogunate started by Tokugawa Ieyasu was based in the Tokyo area too.

When Japan Westernized in the 19th century and Edo became Tokyo, the Imperial Family also moved to Tokyo to live there to establish a new modernized government. This is when Tokyo became the capital in both meanings of where the Emperor lives, and where the center of economy and politics are.

So the two kanji characters 京都 both mean “capital,” but 東京 means “the eastern capital.”

By the way, one of the first capitals of Japan was actually built in Nara prefecture, but it only lasted shorter than 100 years.

*The content is based on personal studies and experience
There is no intention of denying other theories and cultural aspects

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#tokyo #kyoto #japancapital #tokyokyotodifferences #japanesehistory

[FnLl]

"So... Why catgirls?"
Shogo: Well that is because, during the Edo period-

[joannamysluk]

Other countries: *_*Explaining the origin of their capital city's name in great detail_**
Japan: This is the capital. We call it, "The Capital".

[Daichi]

I've been in both Tokyo and Kyoto and it's amazing the constrast between both cities, modern and traditional.

[XXO_O]

The whereabouts of the imperial family was very important for Japanese.
It’s like a cultural compass.
When you go to somewhere from the capital, we used to say “go down (from the capital) to”, when you come back we used to say “go up (to the capital) from”.

[floris.]

For those who are interested … Emperor Meiji didn’t technically “move/change” the capital from Kyoto to Tokyo. He “established” Tokyo as a capital so Kyoto technically is still a capital … in some way.

[samuelmatson]

I noticed this a couple of months ago, was interesting to look into

[andrewlance]

I was today years old when I realized Tokyo and Kyoto are the same name but with the characters swapped
EDIT: "Syllables swapped" is the phrase I wanted. Thank you all for pointing out the difference in characters

[Garwinium]

I swear everything is in the edo period like you could tell me any event happened in the edo period and id believe you

[jyo]

There's also Hirai Momo: *struggling to say Tokyo, keeps saying Kyoto*

[garydell]

More things I had questions about, answered. Thank you, Shogo-San,

[Shirodx]

Thank you. Please keep doing content like this. I’ve learned so much about Japan from you.

[jamesallred]

That's really interesting! I've always wondered about this, thanks for clearing it up!

[xahal]

It got even weirder when they decided to change Tokyo from a fu (東京府) to a to (東京都), because now kyoto (京都) appears completely in the full name. Even better, there are a few places in Kyoto with "East Kyoto" in their name, which is... 東京都 (higashi kyoto, same writing, different reading).

[bigreddog]

I don't know how I get through the day without hearing this dude say "edo period" 🤣🤣

[ivankawp]

Here in Indonesia we also have some region that have the similar name which Surakarta and Kartasura! Btw nice info!! Love your channel

[YamaMaharaja]

For years I've been trying to understand this, and Shogo has once again educated me. Big thanks

[mikotagayuna]

Hi Shogo! How about a video about the famous Tokaido road pilgrimages between Kyoto and Tokyo? It seems to be quite popular in art and literature. (I own a board game based on it so consider this an ulterior motive..)

[IAMYETTI]

History I actually enjoyed learning about

[karlamondragon]

hands down one of the best content creators of his kind… ❤❤❤❤

[Trashman_Len]

Oh that is so cool. Thanks Shogo-Sensei.