In Japan's recent history, Emperor Meiji was an unavoidable figure. The emperor, who was later known as the "Iron-Blooded Monarch," almost ushered in a new era. The following small editor will tell you the story of Emperor Meiji.
In 1852, Emperor Meiji was born into the family of the Japanese nobleman Nakayama, and as the second child of Emperor Takaaki, Emperor Meiji was favored from the beginning. But those familiar with history know that Japan's emperors were vain before Emperor Meiji, and even became puppets of shoguns. Therefore, even the crown prince, The Meiji Emperor did not enjoy much good royal life.
Under the double attack of the West, there is a false name of an emperor, but in fact there is no power. At that time, the poverty of the imperial family was well known, and sometimes the emperor had to think carefully about eating a delicacy, so this impressed the young Meiji Emperor.
Most of the portraits of Emperor Meiji seen by later generations are of him wearing a military uniform, but who knows that this prince was considered too timid when he was young? In 1864, choshu soldiers and shogunate troops unfortunately hit the imperial palace during the exchange of fire, and the young Crown Prince Muhito was frightened and fainted. This shocked the officials of the Fallen Curtain Faction, who thought that such a weak prince was overwhelmed. In order to exercise the prince's physique, Saigo Takamori, one of the three masters of the Restoration, began to train the prince militarily. Crown Prince Muhito thus became the first emperor in the history of the Japanese imperial family to be keen on military action.
According to historical records, in 1833 alone, Emperor Meiji rode a horse fifty-one times, and it has to be said that this was an avid equestrian enthusiast. While participating in military training, Emperor Meiji was also actively studying various traditional courses. The Japanese imperial family has always had a tradition of studying Chinese classics, and Emperor Akihito is no exception. Under the deliberate guidance of Emperor Takamei and a group of ministers, Emperor Meiji gradually grew into a learned monarch.
In 1867, Emperor Takaaki died violently, and after a year of mourning, Emperor Meiji ascended the throne. According to records, the cause of Emperor Xiaoming's death has always been a mystery. Later scholars believe that Emperor Hyomaki was poisoned by Iwakura, the leader of the Fallen Curtain Sect, because Emperor Hyomaki was too weak to lead the smooth progress of the Fall Movement. But in any case, Emperor Meiji has already stepped onto the stage of history.
The 16-year-old Meiji Emperor showed a strong desire for reform after taking the throne. He first supported the "Imperial Retro" movement, and then launched a war against the shogunate with the support of the Fallen Shogunate. Under the strong firepower of the new army, the shogun was forced to return power to the emperor. At this point, Emperor Meiji really gained real power.
In order to strengthen their influence on the young monarchs, the Fallen Faction instilled the so-called Bushido ideology in the Imperial Palace, which played an important role in the cultivation of The Meiji Emperor's tough character. In 1871, Emperor Meiji officially took the throne, and a new era began.
Before he began pro-government, Emperor Meiji sent Ito Hirobumi and others on expeditions to study Western political systems and cultural ideas. In 1873, the Meiji Restoration officially began, first and foremost with land reform. At the emperor's suggestion, the reform of the nobility began. During this reform, Emperor Meiji reformed the domestic feudal maladies, and the enlightened ideas of the West gradually penetrated the hearts of the people.
Under the emperor's guidance, the Japanese people began to eat beef and drink milk. At that time, public opinion believed that eating beef was a Western civilizational idea, so everyone thought it was fashionable to eat beef, and not eating beef was not enlightened. The Japanese writer Reuven Akira's novel "Anyu Le Naku" also wrote that it was fashionable for young people in Japan to eat beef hot pot, drink wine, and talk about current affairs in broken English. With a positive response from the country, the Meiji Restoration soon came to fruition.
Nationalist ideologies erupted in Japan in 1892 that provided the trigger for the war. After the japanese army carried out an active armament reorganization war, it began a war of aggression. In 1894, the Japanese minister to Korea sent troops to capture the Korean royal palace, followed by the outbreak of the Sino-Japanese War.
The war was unequal from the beginning, when the Qing government thought that Japan was still a small country and did not expect its military strength. Coupled with Li Hongzhang's order to the Beiyang Marine Division to "protect the ship and avoid battle", the defeat of the Qing government was inevitable. The defeat of the Qing government surprised the Western countries, and the Western envoys in China believed that the Qing government would win the war, after all, the Beiyang Marine Division was far better equipped than the Japanese army, and the corruption and incompetence of the Qing government led to the defeat of the war.
After the signing of the Treaty of Maguan, Japan received a large amount of war reparations. How does Japan use these reparations? Emperor Meiji spent most of these reparations on the expansion of armaments, while a small amount was used for education. Thanks to these reparations, Japan's strength has rapidly improved. The results of the Meiji Emperor's Restoration were tested, much to his delight. But he soon realized that a blind study of Western ideas was not conducive to his rule, so he began to build a new system, which was soon implemented at home.
At the behest of the Emperor, the Japanese Cabinet decided to implement the "Constitution of the Empire of Japan," which portrayed the Emperor as a "god on earth." Not only that, but Emperor Meiji also ordered the spirit of Bushido to enter Japanese schools, so that the idea of loyalty and patriotism was imprinted on the minds of Japanese youth. As the Japanese political theorist Jiang Zhaomin said: "The people do not consider what the Constitution is, and the stupidity of the people is so far!" ”
Emperor Meiji then won the Russo-Japanese War, which made him quite proud. But after all, people have a long lifespan, and Emperor Meiji, as a monarch, is no exception. In July 1912, Emperor Meiji, who was suffering from uremia, died. In 1914, Japan established Meiji Jingu Shrine and deified The Meiji Emperor, and the Meiji era officially came to an end!