Emperor Meiji
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Emperor Meiji (明治天皇 Meiji tennō) (3 November 1852 - 30 July 1912), was the 122nd Emperor of Japan according to the traditional count. His reign lasted for a total of 45 years, from 3 February 1867 until his death. During this time, Japan emerged from being a largely feudal country, ruled by Shōgun (将軍) to a powerful Asian nation, shaped after Western patterns.
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The Emperor's Name
It is important to note that although he is frequently referred to as Emperor Mutsuhito (睦仁) - his personal name - especially outside Japan, this is actually incorrect. During his life, in accordance with Japanese custom, the living Emperor's personal name is never used. He would have been referred to only as "His Majesty the Emperor" (天皇陛下 Tennō Heika), but the title could be shortened to Heika (陛下 "Your Majesty").
After his death, he assumed his definitive posthumous name, Meiji Tennō (明治天皇 "Emperor Meiji). The name coincides with the era of Meiji (昭和 "Enlightened Rule") which was the name attributed to his reign and is the name by which the Emperor is known within Japan.
In keeping with the correct naming convention, this article will refer to him as Emperor Meiji, where appropriate.
Early Life
Emperor Meiji was born Prince Mutsuhito (睦仁), the eldest surviving son of Emperor Kōmei and the lady-in-waiting, Nakayama Yoshiko.
At the time of his birth, Japan was still under the rule of the Tokugawa Shogunate, with the Emperor being essentially powerless and serving as a figurehead. During this period, Japan was isolated from the outside world, with no Japanese person being allowed to leave the country (or to return, if they did in fact leave) and no foreigners were permitted to enter Japan, on pain of death. Trade with the outside world was only permitted with the Dutch East India Company and even here, the Dutch were restricted to the small island enclave of Deshima in Nagasaki Harbor.
Given events that transpired later in his life, it is perhaps significant that Prince Mutsuhito was born eight months before the arrival of Commodore Matthew Perry's fleet of "Black Ships" in Edo Bay and the time he had turned two, Japan had been forced to open its borders in the Treaty of Kanagawa and the first of the unequal treaties had been signed between the Tokugawa shogunate and Perry.
On 11 July 1860, he was formally adopted by Asako Nyōgō, the principal consort of the Emperor Kōmei. At the same time he received the rank of Shinnō (親王, Imperial Prince), establishing him as a potential successor to the throne, and the title of Kōtaishi (皇太子, Crown Prince) on the same day.
Emperor Meiji's Reign
Following the death of the Emperor Kōmei, Crown Prince Mutsuhito acceded to the throne on 3 February, 1867. He was aged just fourteen at the time. In September, 1868, the era's name was changed to Meiji, meaning “enlightened rule.” This was later used for the emperor's posthumous name, marking the beginning of the custom of an era coinciding with an emperor's reign, and thus posthumously naming the emperor after the era during which he ruled.
Emperor Meiji married Tadaka Masako (known posthumously as the Empress Shōken), the daughter of a sadaijin (minister of the left) on 2 September, 1867. Although she played a public role, as the Emperor's kōgō (皇后 "Empress Consort"), she bore him no children. However, Emperor Meiji had a total of fifteen children, by five official ladies-in-waiting. However, only five lived to adulthood. They were:
- Crown Prince Yoshihito (31 August 1879 – 25 December 1926), who later became Emperor Taishô, born to Lady Naruko.
- Princess Masako (30 September 1888 – 8 March 1940), born to Lady Sachiko.
- Princess Fusako (28 January 1890 – 11 August 1974), born to Lady Sachiko.
- Princess Nobuko (7 August 1891 – 3 November 1933), born to Lady Sachiko.
- Princess Toshiko (11 May 1896 – 5 March 1978), born to Lady Sachiko.
Following the overthrow of the Tokugawa shogunate, the initial hostility towards Westerners by the victorious forces loyal to the Emperor, embodied by sonno joi ("Loyalty to the Emperor"), was replaced by a willingness to accept everything that was foreign. This was embodied in the spirit of bummei kaika, meaning "civilization and enlightenment."[1]
The Japanese nation began to implement significant reforms in an effort to remodel the country after the Western powers. Thousands of students were sent to Europe and the United States to study in all fields of science and technology. In addition, delegates to those countries carefully studied and analysed foreign political, economic, administration and cultural systems. At the same time thousands of foreign engineers, scientists and teachers were brought into the country, to work on road, rail and industrial infrastructure.
During this time, the Emperor still only played a representational role and although he had some influence with the new government, his primary role was as a symbol of renewed national unity. Likewise, his support of the reforms was essential for their success. Thus, the Imperial couple were constantly present at opening ceremonies for new bridges or factories. Still revered as a divine being, especially amongst rural Japanese, anything the Emperor did, such as adopting Western-style clothes, was swiftly adopted by the general population.
One of the Emperor's major concerns surrounded the general education of the populace and it was as a direct result of his influence that the compulsory school system was introduced.[2]
Emperor Meiji passed away on 30 July 1912, the mantle of Emperor passing to his son, Crown Prince Yoshihito.
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