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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
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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
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
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
