The Meiji Restoration

Its implications

Its achievements

What did the Restoration imply? Ishin in Japanese is loosely translated as ‘restoration’ but more

accurately refers to rebirth or new beginings

An attempt to reverse the structural and ideological weaknesses of the Shogunate

It followed protest by the Shishi against Japan’s semi-colonial status

The leaders of the Restoration were sympathetic to the problems confronting their countrymen but wanted to solve it on their own terms

Felt that the time had come to create more flexible institutions and attract men of talent and work together to harness the energies of all sections of society

In a sense they were continuing a process begun by other daimyo, that the development of industry and trade could enhance national strength and increase domestic prosperity

Was it a revolution or a ‘restoration’?

When compared with revolutions such as the French or the Russian or Chinese it pales in comparison

However the revolution dramatic in its own right: the Samurai, highly idealistic men were fighting to change the system

In terms of fighting and bloodshed while there were some executions but for the most part there was little bloodshed

A typical revolution:

Drama and bloodshed Large scale emigration Irrevocable change Universal revolutionary ideology: e.g.

liberte, fraternite, egalite Class struggle nationalism

Motives of the Samurai

Key focus was on strengthening the country rather than to weaken, the aim was to unite the country against a common threat

It did not provoke widespread emigration as Japan was emerging from a period of isolation

On the whole the motive was essentially nationalistic

1868: what did it stand for?

Carried out by men who represented the Samurai but not necessarily solely for the benefit of the class. Many of the decisions actually eroded the privileges of the Samurai

AT the same time it was not a revolution of the masses or for the masses

Evaluation of the changes Unlike in Europe where the change was brought

about the newly powerful classes the bourgeoisie and overturned the privileges of the aristocrats, here it was the elite of the old regime who spearheaded the attack

“ “ a revolution from above” or an aristocratic revolution”

Samurai able to lead it because they were a salaried class. Therefore they were not as entrenched as their counterparts in China and Korea.

Coup d’etat Prof Andrew Gordon is of the opinion

“ The Restoration of the young Emperor Meiji in 1867-68 was a little more than a coup d’etat. A relatively small band of insurgents had toppled the Bakufu.

Yet when compare the changes that take place a decade later the changes are breath taking and merit the term revolution

Read Basil Chamberlain’s views ( reading 2A, Chapter 5 page 61)

Opinion of Marius B Jansen

It was little more than a coup that shifted rule from one sector of the ruling class to another…..yet when it is considered as a part of a larger process, that in 50 years it brought revolutionary changes to Japanese society

Charter Oath

One of the first tasks of the Meiji Emperor was to issue a Charter Oath

Its aim to give the new regime a purpose, provide goals and a blueprint for moving forward.

At the time it was more a hope than a reality The Shishi did not yet control the Edo They were battling rebellious elements The new regime had no treasury The expenses outstripped the earnings Pushed by Western powers that they expected the new

leaders to end the anti foreign sentiment ASAP

Clauses of the Charter Oath The first two clauses appealed to national

unity by suggesting that there would be a broad base for decision making

The second clause also fulfilled the promise of equality of classes

Freedom for all persons to pursue their chosen occupations

The fourth and fifth sent a strong message to foreign observers that Japan would become a strong and stable member of the international community

The leadersYamagata Aritomo Saigo Takamori Ito Hirobumi, Okubo Toshimichi, Kido Koin Matsukata Masayoshi

What did these men hope to achieve?

January 1868 the Shogun was effectively displaced in a palace coup The men mostly low ranking samurai of the Choshu Hizen and Tosa

who displaced the Shogun did not have any well formulated plan Only thing in common was a desire to replace the moribund Shogunate

with the Emperor’s rule which was once more to be the centre of the political system.

In no way did it mean a transfer of power to the 16 year old emperor Other than this one common aim there were as many disagreements as

there were leaders One thing they had in common was that they were all of similar age and

rank and they came from the court aristocracy ( Schirokauer and Clark , and Elise Tipton )

In the early years the decisions were dominated by Saigo Takamori, Okubo and Kido ( effectively the Choshu and Satsuma clans, joined by the Tosa and Hizen)

Iwakura Tonomi A member of the Imperial Kuge ( household officials) Played a key role in supporting the Sonno adherents in

displacing the Shogunate Led a mission with Okubo and others to the West

between 1871-1873 to understand how to deal with the West, secure a revision of the treaties, how best to draft a constitution.

Returned after two years with a sense of mission and an urgency to make the required changes.

Saigo Takamori Military leader of the Satsuma forces Co-operated with the other leaders until 1873 More conservative than the other leaders worked hard to

preserve Japan and prepare it to resist the West As a protest to the sweeping changes among the

Samurai, he wanted to divert the attention to an invasion of Korea. Opposed by Kido and Okubo.

Resigned from the Council in 1873 and returned to Kagoshima ( Satsuma)

Led a revolt of the Satsuma Clan against the others in 1877

Seriously wounded and committed Seppuku

Okubo Toshimichi

Disciplined and formal Completely dedicated to the best interests of

the nation Yet cautious and practical Wanted to use the momentum for change to

create a secure state Played a key role in setting up the constitution His was the guiding voice between 1873-1878 Assassinated by Saigo Takamori’s followers

Kido Koin

From the Choshu clan Concerned about building consensus

and a popular base for his government Devoted to the idea of a strong stable

state This led to a confrontation with Saigo

Takamori in 1873 Co-drafted the Charter Oath along with

Okubo

Achievements of the Restoration

Education

Government and Constitution

Armed forces Industrialization

Transport and Communications

Economic and Fiscal Policy

Land Ownership

Changes

Korea Crisis

Role of Itagaki Taisuke and Saigo An attempt to deal with the frustrations and

fears of the Samurai The plans abandoned by the others as Japan

was as yet unprepared for a war Led to the resignation by Saigo This signalled the departure of the traditionalists

and the victory of the modernizers such as Okubo, Iwakura, Ito and Kido

Overall assessment of the Restoration Led to openness and the desire for change Adaptation and adoption of western ideas knowledge,

western dress and culture Ideologically the main thrust was to use the old to justify

the new The leaders used the Emperor to invoke continuity while

at the same time introduce new ideas Their greatest success lay in the fact that they able to

ensure the survival in new forms many old values and ideas

The Restoration was revolutionary as it destroyed the old system and created a new state

Thomas.C.Smith

Though popular unrest helped to undermine the Tokugawa regime, the Restoration was not the product of a mass movement nor of a radical social ideology. It did not radically change the structure of village life or the mode of agricultural production. It eliminated the Samurai elite as legally defined privileged class but led by men who were themselves Samurai, did so in terms that the Samurai could understand.

The Meiji Restoration( student version)

Its implications

Its achievements

What did the Restoration imply?

The leaders of the Restoration were sympathetic to the problems confronting their countrymen but wanted to solve it on their own terms

Felt that the time had come to create more flexible institutions and attract men of talent and work together to harness the energies of all sections of society

In a sense they were continuing a process begun by other daimyo, that the development of industry and trade could enhance national strength and increase domestic prosperity

Charter Oath

One

Its aim to give the ___________________, provide goals and a blueprint for moving forward.

At the time it was more a hope than a reality The Shishi _________________________ They were battling rebellious elements The new ______________________ A financial crisi. The expenses outstripped the earnings Pushed by Western powers that they expected the new

leaders to end the anti foreign sentiment ASAP

Charter Oath Clauses

The first two clauses

The second clause also fulfilled the

The fourth and fifth sent a strong message to foreign observers

The leadersYamagata Aritomo Saigo Takamori Ito Hirobumi, Okubo Toshimichi, Kido Koin Matsukata Masayoshi

What did these men hope to achieve?

January 1868 the Shogun was effectively displaced in a palace coup The men mostly low ranking samurai of the Choshu Hizen and Tosa

who displaced the Shogun did not have any well formulated plan Only thing in common was a desire to replace the moribund Shogunate

with the Emperor’s rule which was once more to be the centre of the political system.

In no way did it mean a transfer of power to the 16 year old emperor Other than this one common aim there were as many disagreements as

there were leaders One thing they had in common was that they were all of similar age and

rank and they came from the court aristocracy ( Schirokauer and Clark , and Elise Tipton )

In the early years the decisions were dominated by Saigo Takamori, Okubo and Kido ( effectively the Choshu and Satsuma clans, joined by the Tosa and Hizen)

Iwakura Tonomi A member of the Imperial Kuge ( household officials) Played a key role in supporting the Sonno adherents in

displacing the Shogunate Led a mission with Okubo and others to the West

between 1871-1873 to understand how to deal with the West, secure a revision of the treaties, how best to draft a constitution.

Returned after two years with a sense of mission and an urgency to make the required changes.

Military leader of the Satsuma forces Co-operated with the other leaders until 1873 More conservative than the other leaders worked hard to

preserve Japan and prepare it to resist the West As a protest to the sweeping changes among the

Samurai, he wanted to divert the attention to an invasion of Korea. Opposed by Kido and Okubo.

Okubo Toshimichi

Disciplined and formal

Played a key role in setting up the constitution His was the guiding voice between 1873-1878 Assassinated by Saigo Takamori’s followers

Kido Koin

From the Choshu clan Concerned about building consensus

and a popular base for his government

Achievements of the Restoration

Korea Crisis

Role of Itagaki Taisuke and Saigo An attempt to deal with the frustrations and

fears of the Samurai The plans abandoned by the others as Japan

was as yet unprepared for a war Led to the resignation by Saigo This signalled the departure of the traditionalists

and the victory of the modernizers such as Okubo, Iwakura, Ito and Kido

Overall assessment of the Restoration Led to openness and the desire for change Adaptation and adoption of western ideas knowledge,

western dress and culture Ideologically the main thrust was to use the old to justify

the new

Thomas.C.Smith