The Emperor’s prestige--and, indeed, actual authority--had grown
steadily throughout this transition period. As early as 1858,
recognizing the Emperor’s new importance, the Shogun sought his
approval of greater intercourse with the West. In 1863 the Shogun even
obeyed an Imperial summons to Kyoto. The advent of a new Shogun and
a new Emperor in 1867 made the transfer of authority all the easier.
In November 1867 the new Shogun resigned, and on January 3, 1868 the
Emperor Meiji, backed by the western clans, formally assumed control of
the nation. Six months later the Tokugawa forces, taking the field in
opposition to the seizure of power by the western clans, were defeated
in pitched battle. A new Empire had been founded.