Edo
/ˈɛdoʊ/noun
The former name of Tokyo, Japan, especially during the period when it was the seat of the Tokugawa shogunate.
Did you know?Edo became one of the world’s largest cities during the 18th century, while its society was governed by the highly controlled Tokugawa shogunate.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Japanese
Japanese
edo
“An early place-name whose original spoken meaning is uncertain”
12th–16th Century
Japanese
江戸
“The name of the settlement and surrounding area in eastern Japan; the characters were traditionally interpreted as “bay” and “entrance””
1603
Japanese
江戸
“The political seat of Tokugawa Ieyasu and the newly established shogunate”
17th–18th Century
Japanese
Edo
“A rapidly expanding castle city and major cultural center”
1868
Japanese
東京
“The city was renamed Tokyo, meaning “eastern capital,” after imperial rule was restored”
Modern English
English
Edo
“A historical name used in expressions such as Edo period, Edo culture, and Edo art”