OKAYAMA HISTORY

Okayama History - Okayama History covering Sengoku, Tensho, Edo Meiji, World War II and post World War II.

Korakuen Garden -- by jpatokal

Okayama History Sengoku period to Tensho era

Before the Muromachi period, Okayama was one corner of farm area and there was small castle build by the Kanemitsus. In the Sengoku period, Ukita Naoie attack Okayama and rob the castle. Because Naoie thought Okayama is very convenient place because of its advantage of transportation and broad acres. After then, Naoie remodelled Okayama Castle, build old Sanyo road to central part of castle town and call in tradesman from inside and outside of Bizen province. Okayama became political and economical capital of Bizen province.

Okayama History - Edo Period

In 1600, Ukita Hideie, who was son of Naoie and the lord of Okayama, lose at the Battle of Sekigahara. The next year, Kobayakawa Hideaki came to Okayama and became the feudal lord of Okayama Domain. But Hideaki died in 1602 and extinct the Kobayakawas. So, Ikeda Tadatugu, who was the feudal lord of Himeji Domain, became the lord of Okayama. After this time, Okayama was ruled over by the Ikedas until the latter of the 19th century. Continuing of its economic development, Okayama became the best 10 largest castle town in Japan around 1700s. The Korakuen Garden was developed by the 4th feudal lord, Ikeda Tsunamasa.

Okayama History - Meiji Restoration to World War II

On August 29, 1871, the new Meiji government of the Empire of Japan replaced the traditional feudal domain system and to introduced centralized government authority (Prefectures of Japan). Okayama became the capital of Okayama Prefecture. And then, 1889, Okayama city was founded. In the Meiji period, the railroad was built in Okayama city. After then, the railroad helped the development of the city. For example, the Sixth Higher Middle School (第六高等学校 ,Dairoku kōtōgakkō) and Okayama Medical College (岡山医科大学 ,Okayama ika daigaku)　was established in Okayama city. Okayama became the important place of western Japan for transportation and education. But World War II broke out in 1940s. Okayama city has a base camp of the Japanese Army, so, on June 29, 1945, the city was attacked by the US Army using many incendiary bombs. Almost all the city was burned out and many people died. Okayama suffered terrible damage during the war.

Okayama History - Post World War II

After 1950s, Japan displayed drastic economical development. Okayama was also developed as one of the center city in Chugoku and Shikoku region.　In 1972, Sanyō Shinkansen was opened from Shin-Ōsaka Station to Okayama Station. Two years later, Shinkansen was started service from Okayama Station to Hakata Station. Then, in 1988, Seto-Ōhashi Line and Seto-chuō Highway was opened and connected with Shikoku directory by train and road. Okayama became very important place for traffic. The city became a core city in 1996. Later in March 22, 2005, the town of Mitsu from Mitsu District and Nadasaki from Kojima District were merged into the city, and on January 22, 2007, the town of Takebe from Mitsu District and Seto from Akaiwa District were also merged into the city. All three districts have since been dissolved.

(Article based on Wikipedia article and used under the GNU Free Documentation License)