Ancient Times The Mito area became inhabited in pre-earthenware times, more than 11,000 years ago. The Akatsukanishi-danchi and Narusawa ruins are of that age. The ruins of Yayoi and Jomon eras are also found. Atagoyama Kofun and other mounds were built in the later 4th century by the Yamato government, which had gained power over Mito. In the 7th century, Mito was inculuded in the Naka-gun of Hitachinokuni. The center then was around Chojayama, Wataricho, but it moved to Yoshidadaichi in the 9th century. Middle Ages End of the Heian era, Sukemoto Baba of the Heike clan came to reside on the Mito plateau. This was to be the origin of Mito Castle. In the 15th century, the Edos, a powerful regional clan, took over. Then in 1590, Yoshinobu Satake seized the castle and eventually became the greatest Daimyo in the nothern Kanto district. The Satakes reigned for 400 years until they lost power in the battle of Sekigahara. The shogun then moved his clan to Akita in 1603. Edo Era The Shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa appointed Yorifusa, his 11th son, the lord of Mito Castle in 1608. Thus the Mito Clan became one of the Gosanke (3 Tokugawa families outside Edo). Yorifusa's descendants reigned over the Mito Clan until the dissolution of clans by the Meiji government in 1871. In the Edo era, the population of the Mito castle town was 20,000 to 30,000, including both samurai and tradesmen. The town and suburban farming villages closely communicated socially and economically. Mistukuni and Nariaki The greatest lords of the Mito Clan were Mitsukuni Tokugawa (1628-1700) and Nariaki Tokugawa (1800-1860). Mitsukuni , known as the "Mito Komon", started compling Dainihonshi (Great Japanese History). He also rearranged and moved temples and shrines, and set up the Kasahara Suido water supply. Nariaki, with the advice of Seishisai Aizawa and Toko Fujita, improved the clan policy. He founded the Kodokan School and made Kairakuen Park, known for its plum blossoms and flowers. It is one of the three great parks of Japan. Mito City The Edo era ended, and the new Meiji government worked steadily toward centralizing the country. The Mito Clan's town was changed to a prefecture, and then, with other a small prefectures, included in the new Ibaraki Prefecture and Mito became its capital in 1871. On April 1, 1889, Mito City was made by merging the former Mito Clan's town, Uwaichi, Shimoichi,and parts of Tokiwa, Hosoya, Yoshida, and Hamada Villages. Mito then held 5,052 households with a population of 25,591. Railways, Electric Lamps and Telephones Civilization advanced rapidly in the Meiji era. A railway was opened between Mito and Oyama in January, 1889. The Mito Station area eventually became crowded with buildings. The Joban line (Mito-Ueno) was opened in 1896 and grew further to include Mito-Taira (1897), and Mito-Iwanuma (1898) routes. With the Sino-Japanese and Russo-Japanese industries, the economy developed amazingly fast. In Mito, the first electric lamps were lit in 1907. The telephone service started that same year. Taisho Era and the Beginning of Showa Era In 1918 the new city hall was built in Minami-Sannomaru, and a bus service between Mito and Isohama began. Horse and cow wagons and rickshaws were still around in the city. The Suihin Railway was opened between Mito and Isohama in 1925 and carried freight and sea bathers to the sea shore. Mito High School (1920) and Mito Girls High School (1926) were founded. According to the first census in 1920, the number of households was 8,189 and the population 39,363. Showa Era and Wartime Mito The city-wide water supply system completed in 1932. Tokiwa-mura was incorporated in 1933. In 1934, all sections of Suigunsen was opened. World War II broke out. Mito was air-raided before dawn on August 2, 1945. Over 80% of the city was burned down. More than 400 people were killed. On August 15 the war ended. Postwar era to the 1960s In 1946 the Emperor Showa visited Mito on his inspection tour of war damaged areas. According to the census in 1947, the number of households was 14,058 and the population was 61,416. The first election for mayor took place that year. Adjacent villages were incorporated and the population grew to be over 100,000 inhabitants by 1955. In 1961, the annual Tanabata Komon Festival and Sports Festival started. The 1960s to the 1970s Mito became a sister city to Turuga (1965), friendship city to Hikone (1968) and Takamatsu (1974), and an international sister city to Anaheim, U.S.A (1976). A Comprehensive Development Program to improve the residential environment was adopted in 1969. The 29th National Athletic Meeting was held in 1974. The 1970's to the end of the Showa Era The Second Comprehensive Development Program started in 1976. The population was over 200,000. The library, museum, and ball park were constructed in 1980. Various traffic improvements took place. Heisei Era The Heisei Era started in 1989. That year Mito celebrated its 100th anniversary. The Art Tower Mito opened in 1990. Tsunezumi-mura town was incorporated in 1992, now it is part of Mito. In 1997, Mito City Women's Action Plan was put together to make Mito a city where men and women can equally take an active part.