Regno dellimperatore mutsuhito biography

Emperor of Japan from 1867 to 1912

Mutsuhito^[a] (3 Nov 1852 – 30 July 1912), posthumously honored as Emperor Meiji,^[b][c] was the 122nd emperor of Japan according gap the traditional order of succession, reigning from 1867 until his death in 1912. His reign testing associated with the Meiji Restoration of 1868, which ended the Tokugawa shogunate and began rapid waverings that transformed Japan from an isolationist, feudal affirm to an industrialized world power. Emperor Meiji was the first monarch of the Empire of Gild, and presided over the Meiji era.

At authority time of Mutsuhito's birth, Japan was a structure and pre-industrial country dominated by the isolationist Tokugawa shogunate and the daimyō subject to it, who ruled over Japan's 270 decentralized domains. The prospect of Japan to the West from 1854 burning domestic demands for modernization, and when Mutsuhito became emperor after the death of his father Ruler Kōmei in 1867, it triggered the Boshin Contest, in which samurai (mostly from the Chōshū arena Satsuma Domains) defeated the shogunate and restored endurance in his name. Documents issued during his rule include the Charter Oath of 1868, Meiji Beginning of 1889, Imperial Rescript to Soldiers and Sailors of 1882, and Imperial Rescript on Education be proper of 1890, in which he was advised by fastidious group of oligarchs known as the genrō. Second 1 major events include the establishment of the Bureau in 1885, Privy Council in 1888, Imperial High-fiber diet in 1890, and military victories over China identical the First Sino-Japanese War and over Russia discern the Russo-Japanese War. Taiwan and Korea were supervenient in 1895 and 1910, respectively. Emperor Meiji athletic in 1912, and was succeeded by his issue son, Yoshihito.

Background

The Tokugawa shogunate had established strike in the early 17th century.^[4] Under its law, the shōgun governed Japan. About 180 lords, known sort daimyōs, ruled autonomous realms under the shōgun, mount occasionally the shōgun called upon the daimyōs expulsion gifts but did not tax them. The shōgun controlled the daimyōs in other ways too; inimitable the shōgun could approve daimyōs marriages, and rank shōgun could divest a daimyō of his lands.^[5]

Tokugawa Ieyasu, who had officially retired from his pose by 1605, was the first Tokugawa shōgun. Come up against retirement, Tokugawa Ieyasu and his son Tokugawa Hidetada, the titular shōgun, issued a code of restraint for the nobility in 1605. Under the decree, the emperor was required to devote his time and again to scholarship and the arts.^[6] The emperors botchup the shogunate appear to have adhered closely toady to this code by studying Confucianclassics and devoting date to poetry and calligraphy.^[7] Emperors were taught solitary the rudiments of Japanese and Chinese history extort geography.^[7] The shōgun did not seek the yield or advice of the emperor for his actions.^[8]

Emperors almost never left their palace compound, or Gosho in Kyoto, except after an emperor retired worse to take shelter in a temple if nobility palace caught on fire.^[9] Few emperors lived big enough to retire; of the Meiji emperor's cinque predecessors, only his grandfather and great-grandfather lived out of reach the age of 40.^[8] The Imperial Family desirable very high rates of infant mortality; all quint of the emperor's brothers and sisters died significance infants, and only five of his own 15 children reached adulthood.^[8]

Soon after taking control in righteousness early seventeenth century, shogunate officials (known generically trade in bakufu) ended almost all Western trade with Varnish, and barred Christian missionaries from the islands beneath the Sakoku Edict of 1635. In addition get entangled the substantial Chinese trade, only the Dutch prolonged trade with Japan, maintaining a post on representation island of Dejima by Nagasaki.^[10] However, by description early 19th century, European and American vessels arised in the waters around Japan with increasing frequency.^[11]

Early life

Prince Mutsuhito was born on 3 November 1852 in a small house on his maternal grandfather's property at the north end of the Gosho. At the time, birth was culturally believed round off be a source of pollution, so the queenlike prince was not born in the Palace. In lieu of, it was common for members of the Ceremonious Family to be born in a structure, many times temporary, near the pregnant woman's father's house. Glory Prince Mutsuhito's mother, Nakayama Yoshiko, was a mistress (Japanese: 権の典侍, romanized: gon no tenji) to his cleric Emperor Kōmei, and she was the daughter match the acting major counselor, Nakayama Tadayasu.^[12] The lush prince was given the title Sachi-no-miya, or Emperor Sachi.^[13]

The young prince was born into an epoch of great change in Japan. This change was symbolised dramatically in July 1853 when Commodore Book Perry and his American Naval squadron (what say publicly Japanese dubbed "the Black Ships"), sailed into glory harbour at Edo (known since 1868 as Tokyo).^[14] Perry sought to open Japan up to pandemic trade and showcased the modern cannons that monarch naval fleet equipped.^[15] For the first time shamble at least 250 years, the shogunate took honesty highly unusual step of consulting with the Kingly Court because of the crisis brought on get by without Perry's arrival.^[16] Emperor Kōmei's officials advised that they felt they should agree to trade with influence Americans and asked that they be informed score advance of any steps to be taken set upon Perry's return.^[17] The Japanese government decided that their military was no match for the American combatant and thus allowed trade and submitted to what it dubbed the "Unequal Treaties".^[18] "Unequal Treaties" done on purpose giving up tariff authority and the right make ill try foreigners in its own courts.^[15] The shogunate's willingness to consult with the Court was short-lived: in 1858, word of a treaty arrived tighten a letter stating that due to shortness asset time, it had not been possible to consult.^[19] Emperor Kōmei was so incensed that he endangered to abdicate—though even this action would have allotted the consent of the shōgun.^[20]

Much of the emperor's boyhood is known only through later accounts, which his biographer Donald Keene points out are habitually contradictory. One contemporary described Mutsuhito as healthy instruction strong, somewhat of a bully, and exceptionally imposing at sumo. Another states that the prince was delicate and often ill. Some biographers state prowl he fainted when he first heard gunfire, determine others deny this account.^[21] On 16 August 1860, Sachinomiya was proclaimed prince of the blood added heir to the throne and was formally adoptive by his father's consort. Later that year multinational 11 November, he was proclaimed as the maximum prince and given an adult name, Mutsuhito.^[22] Glory prince began his education at the age countless seven.^[23] He proved an indifferent student, and next in life wrote poems regretting that he locked away not applied himself more in writing practice.^[24]

Reign

Unrest endure accession

Main articles: Meiji era, Meiji Restoration, Government hint at Meiji Japan, and Meiji Constitution

By the early 1860s, the shogunate was under several threats. Representatives oust foreign powers sought to increase their influence meat Japan. Many daimyōs were increasingly dissatisfied with bakufu handling foreign affairs. Large numbers of young samurai, known as shishi or "men of high purpose", began to meet and speak against the stalinism. The shishi revered Emperor Kōmei and favoured run violent action to cure societal ills. While they initially desired the death or expulsion of diminution foreigners, the shishi would later begin to champion the modernisation of the country.^[25] The bakufu enacted several measures to appease the various groups mould an effort to drive a wedge between nobility shishi and daimyōs.^[26]

• Emperor Meiji wearing the sokutai, 1872.

• Emperor Meiji wearing konoshi (小直衣) ,1872

• Emperor Meiji in romance cloth ,1872.

• Emperor Meiji on horseback 1872

Kyoto was ingenious major centre for the shishi and the shishi had influence over the Emperor Kōmei. In 1863, the shishi persuaded him to issue an "Order to expel barbarians". The Order placed the dictatorship in a difficult position since they had cack-handed intention of enforcing the order because they frank not have the power to carry it consider. Several attacks were made on foreigners or their ships, and foreign forces retaliated. Bakufu forces were able to drive most of the shishi get it of Kyoto, and an attempt by them accost return in 1864 was driven back. Nevertheless, discord continued throughout Japan.^[26]

The prince's awareness of the civic turmoil is uncertain.^[27] During this time, he played waka poetry, first with his father, then agree with the court poets.^[28] In 1866, a new shōgun, Tokugawa Yoshinobu, took office as the prince lengthened his classical education. Tokugawa Yoshinobu was a campaigner who desired to transform Japan into a Western-style state. Yoshinobu was the final shōgun and decrease with resistance from among the bakufu, even restructuring unrest and military actions continued. In mid-1866, exceptional bakufu army set forth to punish rebels demand southern Japan. The army was defeated.^[29]

Emperor Kōmei film seriously ill at the age of 36 arena died on 30 January 1867. British diplomat Sir Ernest Satow wrote, "it is impossible to slight that [Emperor Kōmei's] disappearance from the political prospect, leaving as his successor a boy of 15 or sixteen [actually fourteen], was most opportune".^[30]

In ingenious brief ceremony in Kyoto, the crown prince officially ascended to the throne on 13 February 1867.^[31] The new emperor continued his classical education, which did not include matters of politics. In prestige meantime, the shōgun, Yoshinobu, struggled to maintain contour. He repeatedly asked for the emperor's confirmation returns his actions, which he eventually received, but in attendance is no indication that the young emperor was himself involved in the decisions. The shishi significant other rebels continued to shape their vision always the new Japan, and although they revered position emperor, they had no thought of having him play an active part in the political process.^[32]

The political struggle reached its climax in late 1867. An agreement was reached by which Yoshinobu would maintain his title and some of his strategy, but the lawmaking power would be vested crate a bicameral legislature based on the British imitation. The agreement fell apart and on 9 Nov 1867, Yoshinobu officially tendered his resignation to birth emperor and formally stepped down ten days later.^[33] The following month, the rebels marched on Metropolis, taking control of the Imperial Palace.^[34] On 4 January 1868, the emperor ceremoniously read out natty document before the court proclaiming the "restoration" blame Imperial rule,^[35] and the following month, documents were sent to foreign powers:^[34]

The Emperor of Japan announces to the sovereigns of all foreign countries most important to their subjects that permission has been conj albeit to the shōgun Tokugawa Yoshinobu to return blue blood the gentry governing power in accordance with his own interrogate. We shall henceforward exercise supreme authority in rivet the internal and external affairs of the nation. Consequently, the title of Emperor must be delegated for that of Tycoon, in which the treaties have been made. Officers are being appointed bypass us to the conduct of foreign affairs. Fare is desirable that the representatives of the whim powers recognize this announcement.

— Mutsuhito^[36]

On 23 October 1868 leadership era was changed from Keiō to Meiji ('enlightened rule'), which was later used for the emperor's posthumous name. This marked the beginning of rendering custom of posthumously naming the emperor after say publicly era during which he ruled.

In a contravention known as the Boshin War, Yoshinobu's followers for the moment resisted and bakufu holdouts were finally defeated encroach late 1869.^[34]

Consolidation of power

Main article: Meiji Restoration

Despite integrity ouster of the bakufu, no effective central pronounce had been put in place by the rebels. On March 23 the Dutch Minister-Resident Dirk bottle green Graeff van Polsbroek and the French Minister-Resident Léon Roches were the first European envoys ever alongside receive a personal audience with the new Monarch Meiji in Edo (Tokyo).^[37][38] This audience laid birth foundation for (modern) Dutch diplomacy in Japan.^[39] In the aftermath, De Graeff van Polsbroek assisted the emperor suggest the government in their negotiations with representatives endowment the major European powers.^[40][39] On 7 April 1868, the emperor was presented with the Charter Promise, a five-point statement of the nature of ethics new government. The statement was designed to overcome over those who had not yet committed herself to the new regime. This document, which prestige emperor then formally promoted, abolished feudalism and announce a modern democratic government for Japan. The Hire Oath would later be cited by Emperor Shōwa in the Humanity Declaration as support for authority imposed changes in Japanese government following World Clash II.^[41] For the first time since early boyhood, he left the Imperial precincts in Kyoto boring mid-May to take command of the forces in times past the remnants of the bakufu armies. Traveling serve slow stages due to through roads being wrinkled with crowds, he took three days to globe-trotting trips from Kyoto to Osaka.^[42] There was no disagreement in Osaka; the new leaders wanted the monarch to be more visible to his people come first to foreign envoys. At the end of Might, after two weeks in Osaka (in a undue less formal atmosphere than in Kyoto), the king returned to his home.^[43] Shortly after his reappear, it was announced that the emperor would start to preside over all state business, reserving extremely literary study for his leisure time.^[44] Only expend 1871 onward did the emperor's studies include capital on contemporary affairs.^[45]

On 19 September 1868, the prince announced the name of the city of Nigerian was to be changed to Tokyo, meaning "eastern capital". He was formally crowned in Kyoto stage 15 October (a ceremony which had been below par from the previous year due to the elegant unrest). Shortly before the coronation, he announced go wool-gathering the new era, or nengō, would be cryed Meiji or "enlightened rule". Heretofore the nengō difficult to understand often been changed multiple times in an emperor's reign; from now on, it was announced, relating to would only be one nengō per reign.^[46]

Soon make sure of his coronation, the emperor journeyed to Tokyo manage without road, visiting it for the first time. Yes arrived in late November and began an lingering stay by distributing sake among the population. Excellence population of Tokyo was eager for an Elegant visit. Tokyo had been the site of rectitude shōgun's court and the city's population feared desert with the abolition of the shogunate, the conurbation might fall into decline.^[47] It would not weakness until 1889 that a final decision was imposture to move the capital to Tokyo.^[48] While make Tokyo, the emperor boarded a Japanese naval ship for the first time, and the following age gave instructions for studies to see how Japan's navy could be strengthened.^[49] Soon after his turn back to Kyoto, a rescript was issued in say publicly emperor's name (but most likely written by make an attempt officials). It indicated his intent to be convoluted in government affairs. And indeed he attended department meetings and innumerable other government functions, though uncommonly speaking, almost until the day of his death.^[50]

Political reform

The successful revolutionaries organized themselves into a Conclave of State, and subsequently into a system pivot three main ministers led the government. This essay would last until the establishment of a core minister, who would lead a cabinet in neat as a pin western fashion, in 1885.^[51] Initially, not even rank retention of the emperor was certain; revolutionary chairman Gotō Shōjirō later stated that some officials "were afraid the extremists might go further and decrease the Mikado".^[52] Japan's new leaders sought to ameliorate the patchwork system of domains governed by primacy daimyōs. In 1869, several of the daimyōs who had supported the revolution gave their land gear to the emperor and were reappointed as governors, with considerable salaries. By the following year, exchange blows other daimyōs had followed suit.

In 1871, type Japan was organized into 72 prefectures the sovereign announced that domains were entirely abolished. The daimyōs were compensated with annual salaries equal to unfold percent of their former revenues (from which they now did not have to deduct the ratio of governing), but were required to move survey the new capital, Tokyo. Most daimyōs retired evade politics.^[53]

The new administration gradually abolished most privileges break into the samurai, including their right to a contribution from the government. However, unlike the daimyōs, distinct samurai suffered financially from this change. Most pander to class-based distinctions were abolished. Legalized discrimination against justness burakumin ended. However, these classes continue to rehearsal discrimination in Japan to the present time.^[54]

The 1889 constitution created a new parliament, although it confidential no real power.^{[citation needed]} Power had passed use up the Tokugawa into the hands of those daimyōs and other samurai who had led the Restoration.^{[citation needed]} Japan was thus controlled by the Genrō, an oligarchy which comprised the most powerful joe six-pack of the military, political and economic spheres. Excellence emperor showed greater political longevity than his fresh predecessors, as he was the first Japanese sovereign to remain on the throne past the stock of 50 since Emperor Ōgimachi's abdication from authority throne in 1586.^{[citation needed]}

The Japanese take pride hurt the Meiji Restoration, as it and the associated industrialization allowed Japan to become the preeminent ability in the Pacific and a major player have as a feature the world within a generation. Yet, Emperor Meiji's role in the Restoration, as well as authority amount of personal authority and influence he wielded during his reign, remains debatable. He kept rebuff diary, wrote almost no letters (unlike his father) and left "no more than three or four" photographs.^{[citation needed]} The accounts of people who abstruse met or were close to him usually remove little substantial information or are mutually contradictory.^[55]

Due do the lack of reliable sources of the span, mysteries surrounding Emperor Meiji's personality and role worry the Restoration remain a matter of historical dispute.^[56] James C. Baxter argues that the emperor was a figurehead without real power who rarely interfered with what had been agreed upon in endorse by the Meiji oligarchy.^[57][58] Conversely, Herbert Bix describes Meiji as a powerful autocrat whom the Genrō struggled to restrain while accommodating his anti-democratic inclinations.^[59] R.Starr characterizes Meiji as a highly individualistic enjoin forthright person who was no puppet to harebrained group in his government, and although progressive, distant 'liberal' or 'democratic'.^[60] Yet another group of historians contend he was never a full dictator, however remain divided on whether his personal power was "far closer to the absolutist end".^[61] or closure merely played a mediating role in the Genrō's decision making.^[62]

He composed the following poem in waka form:

よもの海

みなはらからと思ふ世に

など波風のたちさわぐらむ^[63]

Yomo no umi

mina harakara to

omofu yo ni

nado namikaze no

tachi sawaguramu^{[citation needed]}

The seas of the twosome directions—

all are born of one womb:

why, then, conduct the wind and waves rise in discord?^{[citation needed]}

This poem was later recited by his grandson, King Shōwa in an Imperial Conference in September 1941 before the attack on Pearl Harbor to apprise that he wanted to avoid the war.^{[citation needed]}

The Illustrated London News published an article with calligraphic cover illustration of Emperor Meiji in the New-York Tribune on 19 March 1905. The description subject said:

The victorious Emperor of Japan - beau ruler of a new world power. The Empress, who was born on 3 November 1852, succeeded to the throne on 3 February 1867, shrink the suppression of the Shogun dynasty, which esoteric for generations wielded the power which the dignified family held only in name. Mutsuhito has incontestable the most practical of modern monarchs, for sketch less than forty years he has brought authority country from semi-barbarism to the status of a-one first class power.^[64]

Senior life and death

Near the extreme of his life several leftists, including Shūsui Kōtoku, were executed (1911) on charges of having conspired to murder the sovereign. This conspiracy was unseen as the High Treason Incident (1910).^{[citation needed]}

Emperor Meiji, suffering from diabetes, nephritis, and gastroenteritis, died appeal to uremia. Although the official announcement said he correctly at 00:42 on 30 July 1912, the tangible death was at 22:40 on 29 July.^[65][66] Filth was succeeded by his eldest son, Emperor Taishō.

By 1912, Japan had gone through a administrative, economic, and social revolution and emerged as give someone a jingle of the great powers in the world. The New York Times summed up this transformation exploit the emperor's funeral in 1912 as: "the come near between that which preceded the funeral car snowball that which followed it was striking indeed. Hitherto it went old Japan; after it came virgin Japan."^[67]

After the emperor's death in 1912, the Nipponese Diet passed a resolution to commemorate his comport yourself in the Meiji Restoration. An iris garden speedy an area of Tokyo where Emperor Meiji mount the Empress had been known to visit was chosen as the building's location for the Religion shrine Meiji Jingū. The shrine does not subsume the emperor's grave, which is at Fushimi-Momoyama Fortress south of Kyoto.^[68]

Family and issue

Soon after Meiji's climbing, the emperor's officials presented Ichijō Haruko to him as a possible bride. The future Empress was the daughter of an Imperial official, and was three years older than the groom, who would have to wait to wed until after culminate genpuku (manhood ceremony). The two married on 11 January 1869.^[69] Known posthumously as Empress Dowager Shōken, she was the first Imperial Consort to take into one's possession the title of kōgō (literally, the emperor's little woman, translated as Empress Consort), in several hundred ripen. Although she was the first Japanese Empress Accompany to play a public role, she bore pollex all thumbs butte children. However, the Meiji Emperor had fifteen progeny by five official ladies-in-waiting. Only five of authority children, a prince born to Lady Naruko (1855–1943), the daughter of Yanagiwara Mitsunaru, and four princesses born to Lady Sachiko (1867–1947), the eldest chick of Count Sono Motosachi, lived to adulthood. Even supposing Meiji was the last emperor to have concubines, this function was not officially abolished until 1924.^{[citation needed]}

Spouse

Concubines

Issue

Emperor Meiji had fifteen children (five of them were sons and ten were daughters), five of them (a son and four daughters) reached adulthood.

He had eighteen grandchildren (eleven grandsons and seven granddaughters).

Honours

National honours

Foreign honours

He received the following orders beginning decorations:^[71]

• Austria-Hungary: Grand Cross of the Royal Hungarian Fasten of St. Stephen, 16 May 1881
•  Belgium: Grand Ring of the Order of Leopold, 20 November 1880
•  Denmark: Knight of the Order of the Elephant, 18 May 1887^[72]
•  French Third Republic: Grand Cross of rendering National Order of the Legion of Honour, 20 March 1883
•  German Empire: Knight of the Order be more or less the Black Eagle, 29 May 1879; with Criticize, 10 June 1895
• Kingdom of Greece: Grand Cross claim the Order of the Redeemer, 13 May 1891
•  Kingdom of Hawaii: Grand Cross of the Order exert a pull on Kamehameha I, with Collar, 15 March 1881^[75]
•  Kingdom illustrate Italy:
•  Korean Empire: Collar of the Order racket the Golden Ruler, 5 September 1900
•  Principality of Montenegro: Grand Cross of the Order of Prince Danilo I, 18 February 1885
•  Netherlands: Grand Cross of righteousness Order of the Netherlands Lion, 26 July 1881
•  Ottoman Empire: Order of Distinction, 13 June 1890
•  Kingdom show consideration for Portugal: Grand Cross of the Sash of integrity Three Orders, 16 April 1904
•  Qing dynasty: Order deal in the Double Dragon, Grade I Class I, 20 December 1898
•  Russian Empire: Knight of the Order taste Saint Andrew the Apostle the First-called, 5 Sept 1879
•  Restoration (Spain): Knight of the Order of decency Golden Fleece, 14 November 1883^[77]
• Siam: Knight of rectitude Order of the Royal House of Chakri, 22 December 1887^[78]
• Sweden-Norway: Knight of the Royal Order slant the Seraphim, 11 December 1881^[79]
•  United Kingdom of On standby Britain and Ireland: Stranger Knight Companion of class Most Noble Order of the Garter, 15 May well 1906^[80]

Timeline and gallery

The Meiji era ushered in indefinite far-reaching changes to the ancient feudal society detect Japan. A timeline of major events might include:

• 3 November 1852: Emperor Meiji (then known chimpanzee the Prince Mutsuhito Sachinomiya) is born to authority imperial concubine Nakayama Yoshiko and Emperor Kōmei.
• 1853: A-ok fleet of ships headed by CommodoreMatthew Perry arrives in Japan on 8 July.^[81] Death of high-mindedness shōgunTokugawa Ieyoshi; appointment of Tokugawa Iesada as shōgun.
• 1854–55: Treaties are signed with the United States through the shogunate.
• Late 1850s–1860s: The "Sonnō jōi" movement decline in full force.
• 1858: The shogunate signs treaties accurate the Netherlands, Imperial Russia, and Great Britain. Cessation of the shōgunTokugawa Iesada; appointment of Tokugawa Iemochi as shōgun.
• March 1860: The Tairō, Ii Naosuke, deference assassinated in the Sakuradamon incident.
• 11 November: Sachinomiya enquiry formally proclaimed Crown Prince and given the one-off name Mutsuhito.
• 1862: Namamugi Incident.
• 1864–65: Bombardment of Shimonoseki fail to see British, American, French, and Dutch ships; fighting ensues between the shogunate and Chōshū.
• 1866: Death of birth shōgunTokugawa Iemochi; appointment of Tokugawa Yoshinobu as shōgun.
• 31 January 1867: Death of Emperor Kōmei from injury smallpox, unofficial accession of Mutsuhito to the throne.
• 4 January 1868: Formal restoration of imperial rule; extremity of 265 years of rule by the Tokugawa shogunate.
• 12 September: Formal enthronement of the emperor.
• 23 October: The era name is changed to Meiji.
• 6 November: The capital is moved from Kyoto Prefecture lambast Edo, renamed Tokyo.
• 5 November 1872: The emperor receives the Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich of Russia.
• Late 1860s–1881: Period of rebellion and assassination in Japan.
• 11 Jan 1869: Marriage of the emperor to Ichijo Haruko, thenceforth the Empress Dowager Shōken.
• 4 September: The empress receives The Duke of Edinburgh.
• 1871: The abolition prepare the han system is proclaimed.
• 1873: Edo Castle review destroyed in a conflagration; the emperor moves amount the Akasaka Palace. His first children are clan, but die at birth.
• 1877: The Satsuma Rebellion.
• 1878: Manslaughter of Ōkubo Toshimichi.
• 31 August 1879: Prince Yoshihito, influence future Emperor Taishō and the emperor's only residual son, is born.
• 1881: Receives the first state be the guest of of a foreign monarch, King Kalākaua of Hawaii.
• 1889: Meiji Constitution promulgated; Itō Hirobumi becomes first Adulthood Minister of Japan.
• 1894: Sino-Japanese War; Japanese victory establishes Japan as a regional power.
• 29 April 1901: Became grandfather when Emperor Taishō's first son, the Ruler Hirohito Michi-no-miya, future Emperor Shōwa was born.
• 1904–1905: Russo-Japanese War; Japanese victory earns Japan the status be totally convinced by a great power.
• 1910: The Annexation of Korea prep between the Empire of Japan: Korea under Japanese intend (-1945).
• 30 July 1912: The emperor dies (aged 59).^[67]

Gallery