Meiji Restoration

MEIJI RESTORATION
he Meiji Restoration ( 明治維新 , Meiji Ishin), referred to at the time as the Honorable

Restoration ( 御一新 , Goisshin), and also known as the Meiji
Renovation, Revolution, Regeneration, Reform, or Renewal, was a political event that restored
practical imperial rule to Japan in 1868 under Emperor Meiji. Although there were ruling emperors
before the Meiji Restoration, the events restored practical abilities and consolidated the political
system under the Emperor of Japan.[2] The goals of the restored government were expressed by the
new emperor in the Charter Oath.
The Restoration led to enormous changes in Japan's political and social structure and spanned both
the late Edo period (often called the Bakumatsu) and the beginning of the Meiji era, during which
time Japan rapidly industrialized and adopted Western ideas and production methods.
Foreign influence
The Japanese knew they were behind the Western powers when US Commodore Matthew C.
Perry came to Japan in 1853 in large warships with armaments and technology that far outclassed
those of Japan, with the intent to conclude a treaty that would open up Japanese ports to trade.
[1]
Figures like Shimazu Nariakira concluded that "if we take the initiative, we can dominate; if we do
not, we will be dominated", leading Japan to "throw open its doors to foreign technology."
The leaders of the Meiji Restoration, as this revolution came to be known, acted in the name of
restoring imperial rule to strengthen Japan against the threat of being colonized, bringing to an end
the era known as sakoku (the foreign relations policy, lasting about 250 years, prescribing the death
penalty for foreigners entering or Japanese nationals leaving the country). The word "Meiji" means
"enlightened rule" and the goal was to combine "modern advances" with traditional "eastern"
values.[2] The main leaders of this were Itō Hirobumi, Matsukata Masayoshi, Kido Takayoshi, Itagaki
Taisuke, Yamagata Aritomo, Mori Arinori, Ōkubo Toshimichi, and Yamaguchi Naoyoshi.
Imperial restoration
The foundation of the Meiji Restoration was the 1866 Satsuma-Chōshū Alliance between Saigō
Takamori and Kido Takayoshi, leaders of the reformist elements in
the Satsuma and Chōshū Domains at the southwestern end of the Japanese archipelago. These
two leaders supported the Emperor Kōmei (Emperor Meiji's father) and were brought together
by Sakamoto Ryōma for the purpose of challenging the ruling Tokugawa shogunate (bakufu) and
restoring the Emperor to power. After Kōmei's death on 30 January 1867, Meiji ascended the
throne on February 3. This period also saw Japan change from being a feudal society to having a
market economy and left the Japanese with a lingering influence of Modernity.[3]
In the same year, the koban was discontinued as a form of currency.
Centralization
Allegory of the New fighting the Old, in early Japan Meiji, around 1870
Besides drastic changes to the social structure of Japan, in an attempt to create a strong centralized
state defining its national identity, the government established a dominant national dialect, called
"standard language" (標準語, hyōjungo), that replaced local and regional dialects and was based on
the patterns of Tokyo's samurai classes. This dialect eventually became the norm in the realms of
education, media, government, and business.[12]
The Meiji Restoration, and the resultant modernization of Japan, also influenced Japanese self-
identity with respect to its Asian neighbours, as Japan became the first Asian state to modernize
based on the Western model, replacing the traditional Confucian hierarchical order that had
persisted previously under a dominant China with one based on modernity.
[13]
Adopting enlightenment ideals of popular education, the Japanese government established a
national system of public schools.[14] These free schools taught students reading, writing, and
mathematics. Students also attended courses in "moral training" which reinforced their duty to the
Emperor and to the Japanese state. By the end of the Meiji period, attendance of public schools was
widespread, increasing the availability of skilled workers and contributing to the industrial growth of
Japan.
The opening up of Japan not only consisted of the ports being opened for trade, but also began the
process of merging members of the different societies together. Examples of this include western
teachers and advisors immigrating to Japan and also Japanese nationals moving to western countries
for education purposes. All of these things in turn played a part in expanding the people of Japan's
knowledge on western customs, technology and institutions. Many people believed it was essential
for Japan to acquire western 'spirit' in order to become a great nation with strong trade routes and
military strength.

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MEIJI RESTORATION

he Meiji Restoration ( 明治維新 , Meiji Ishin), referred to at the time as the Honorable

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Meiji Restoration

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MEIJI RESTORATION

he Meiji Restoration ( 明 治 維 新 , Meiji Ishin), referred to at the time as the Honorable

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he Meiji Restoration ( 明治維新 , Meiji Ishin), referred to at the time as the Honorable