Changes

*The [[Kyoto Gosho|Kyoto Imperial Palace]] is rebuilt.

*The [[Kyoto Gosho|Kyoto Imperial Palace]] is rebuilt.

*Paris hosts a [[World's Fair]] for the first time - the [[Exposition Universelle of 1855]].

*Paris hosts a [[World's Fair]] for the first time - the [[Exposition Universelle of 1855]].

*[[Treaty of Shimoda]] - The shogunate and [[Russia]] complete the first of a number of agreements seeking to define geographical borders between the two countries' territories. The shogunate assumes direct administration of [[Ezo]] in order to more solidly claim the territory and repel Russian incursions. The [[Kuril Islands]] are officially given to Russia, but the status of [[Sakhalin]] is left undecided. This represents the first establishment of "modern" political borders for Japan.

*[[Treaty of Shimoda]] signed between Russia and Japan.

*''[[Bansho Shirabesho|Yôgakusho]]'' (Bureau of Western Studies) is founded by the shogunate.

*''[[Bansho Shirabesho|Yôgakusho]]'' (Bureau of Western Studies) is founded by the shogunate.