Founded in 1863 by takasugi shinsaku, the kiheitai militia consisted of 300 men, who came from all social classes, including farmers, merchants, samurai and others. This article was originally written for japan societys previous site for educators, journey through japan, in 2003. The goal of the meiji restoration was summarised in the motto, a rich country, a strong military. This revolution was called the meiji restoration after the reign name of the restored emperor. Read, highlight, and take notes, across web, tablet, and phone. Choshu in the meiji restoration by albert m craig abebooks. From the day the teenaged mutsuhito claimed power on january 3, 1868 in a relatively tranquil coup called the meiji restoration after his reign name until his dea. Appointed a commander of the new imperial japanese army, oku fought against. Cambridge, harvard university press, 1961 ocolc601836412. Choshu in the meiji restoration volume 47 of harvard historical monographs. The kiheitai was known for its discipline, and use of westernstyle weapons and military techniques. Choshu in the meiji restoration edition 400 by albert m.
He is the author of choshu in the meiji restoration 1961, the heritage of japanese civilization 2011, and, with others, of east asia, tradition and transformation 1989. The meiji restoration is a very important period in japans history as it reestablished imperial rule and was the catalyst for the japanese economy and society to move into the industrial age. Was the meiji restoration the revenge because the tokugawa. The term describes a number of events that took place in the politics and society of japan that changed the shape of japans political and social systems. The aizu domain in northeastern japan had staunchly supported the old regime. The power of the tokugawa shogunate, weakened by debt and internal division, had declined, and much opposition had built up in the early 19th cent. The meiji restoration first, there are questions concerning the role and relative importance of internal and external factors in the pattern of events. He is the author of choshu in the meiji restoration 1961, the heritage of japanese civilization 2011, and, with others, of east asia, tradition and transformation.
Most were from choshu, but a few volunteers were from other domains. A graduate of northwestern university, he received his ph. My only major issue with this book is the fact that albert craig uses the japanese. Several entries in 1868 reveal an unusually close relationship between kido 18331877, the meiji statesman from choshu, and thomas blake glover 18381912, the british merchant from nagasaki.
Takasugi shinsaku was played by japanese actor yujiro ishihara in the 1957 film sun in the last days of the shogunate. The two men then returned to report that the gate entrusted to choshu was now being held by satsuma. In 1867, a revolt overthrew the last shogun and returned power to the emperor. The meiji restoration was a period in japan when massive changes occurred in ancient japan. I found this by browsing the appropriate shelves in the school library, and it had more detail on how choshu and its samurai reacted to perrys forcible opening of japan than i was expecting. Craig tells its story through that of the domain of choshu.
From the day the teenaged mutsuhito claimed power on january 3, 1868 in a relatively tranquil coup called the meiji restoration after his reign name until his death fortyfive years later, japan experienced an evolution so rapid that one tokyo expatriate said he felt as if. Craig instead emphasizes the vitality of traditional values in japans early reaction to the west and foregrounds the critical contribution of the old society to the formation of the new meiji state. Craig tells its story through that of the domain of choshuwhose role in the formation of modern japan was not unlike that of prussia in germanyduring the fifteen crucial years between 1853 and 1868. What are the best books about the meiji era in english. I found this by browsing the appropriate shelves in the school library, and it had more detail on how choshu and its samurai reacted to perrys forcible opening of.
The following references via albert craig in choshu in the meiji restoration are often cited in accounts of the meiji restoration. The meiji restoration a quick rundown rekishi nippon. Online shopping from a great selection at books store. A truly excellent account on the activities of choshu during the bakumatsu. This teachers guide provides an overview of the meiji period in japan, which lasted from 1868 to 1912. In the japanese language, meijiishin is the term for meiji restoration. The meiji regime first began as an alliance between satsuma and choshu, the two domains responsible for the overthrowing of the tokugawa shogunate, with support from tosa and hizen domains as well. A short lecture discussing the rule of emperor meiji and the major reforms that occur under his rule from 1868 1912 in japan. Choshu in the meiji restoration, lexington books, 2000, isbn. Meiji restoration, in japanese history, the political revolution in 1868 that brought about the final demise of the tokugawa shogunate military governmentthus ending the edo tokugawa period 16031867and, at least nominally, returned control of the country to direct imperial rule under mutsuhito the emperor meiji. Choshu in the meiji restoration is a seminal work for scholars and students of japanese history. When commodore perry arrived in japan to open the co.
This book is a study of the meiji restoration that changed the face of japan. In the first he examines the political and economic organization of the. Nov 28, 2000 this book is a study of the meiji restoration that changed the face of japan. The meiji restoration was a political and social revolution in japan from 1866 to 1869 that ended the power of the tokugawa shogun and returned the emperor to a central position in japanese politics and culture. Buy choshu in the meiji restoration studies of modern japan by craig, albert m. Until 1867, the tokugawa shoguns ruled as a military dictator from edo tokyo and the emperor was a figurehead who lived in isolation at his palace in osaka.
Meiji restoration, the term refers to both the events of 1868 that led to the restoration of power to the emperor and the entire period of revolutionary changes that coincided with the meiji meiji, 18521912, reign name of the emperor of japan from 1867 to 1912. To answer the question why choshu played such a crucial part in the restoration, professor craig has divided his study into two parts. He is the author of choshu in the meiji restoration 1961, the heritage of japanese civilization 2003, civilization and enlightenment. Choshu in the meiji restoration albert m craig haftad. Born in kokura in presentday kitakyushu to a samurai family of the kokura domain in buzen province, oku joined the military forces of the nearby choshu domain during the boshin war in their struggle to overthrow the tokugawa shogunate and bring about the meiji restoration military career. Choshu in the meiji restoration by craig, albert m. Murata seifu, may 26, 1783 july 9, 1855 was a japanese samurai, karo of choshu domain and a prominent economic reformer of the edo period. List of books and articles about japan, meiji period. Choshu in the meiji restoration harvard historical monographs.
Craig tells its story through that of the domain of choshu whose role in the formation of modern japan was not unlike that of prussia in germanyduring the fifteen crucial years between 1853 and 1868. Now, when the choshu discovered this, they sent two men to look into the matter. The early thought of fukuzawa yukichi 2009, and, with others, of east asia, tradition and transformation 1973. Choshu in the meiji restoration harvard historical. I read this book in college, when i was studying a lot of asian history. Choshu in the meiji restoration studies of modern japan albert m. Meiji restoration article about meiji restoration by the.
He is the author of choshu in the meiji restoration 1961. Misplaced soul rewritten chapter 43, a hakuoki fanfic. Both books offer valuable new data, penetrating analyses, and stimulating opinions. He has studied at strasbourg university and at kyoto, keio, and tokyo universities in japan. The meiji restoration of 1868 is most often seen as a glorious event marking the overthrow of tokugawa feudalism and the beginning of japans modern transformation. Choshu in the meiji restoration studies of modern japan. Id known that choshu had played a significant role in the meiji restoration, but not much more than that. The mid to late 19th century is one of the most interesting periods in modern japanese history. It is named for mutsuhito, the meiji emperor, who served as the figurehead for the movement. Takasugi shinsaku is usually portrayed in most nhk taiga drama dealing with the meiji restoration. Choshu in the meiji restoration harvard historical monographs xlvii craig, albert m.
Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. He is the author of choshu in the meiji restoration. The meiji restoration was a time of change great in japan. Craig tells its story through that of the state of choshu whose role in the formation of modern japan was not unlike that of prussia in germany during the fifteen crucial years between 1853 and 1868. While trying to track down information on the historical details in the first rurouni kenshin ova series and the tv series i have found the following books to be useful. Outraged, four hundred choshu troops along with one thousand imperial troops were sent and are now assembled opposite of sakaimachi gate. Feb 05, 2012 a short lecture discussing the rule of emperor meiji and the major reforms that occur under his rule from 1868 1912 in japan. So you may be familiar with some of their most famous traditions. The meiji restoration a quick rundown the meiji restoration is a very important period in japans history as it reestablished imperial rule and was the catalyst for the japanese economy and society to move into the industrial age. Choshu in the meiji restoration studies of modern japan by craig, albert m. Kop choshu in the meiji restoration av albert m craig pa. Meiji restoration, the term refers to both the events of 1868 that led to the restoration of power to the emperor and the entire period of revolutionary changes that coincided with the meiji emperors reign 18681912.