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Meiji period facts for kids

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Black and white photo of emperor Meiji of Japan
Emperor Meiji when he was older.

The Meiji period (明治時代 (Meiji-jidai)), also called the Meiji era, was an important time in Japanese history. It was a Japanese era name (年号,, nengō) that came after the Keiō era and before the Taishō era.

This period began in September 1868 and ended in July 1912. During these years, the emperor of Japan was Emperor Meiji (明治天皇). The name Meiji means "Enlightened Rule" or "Enlightened Government." This era was a time of big changes for Japan, as it moved from an old-fashioned country to a modern one.

Key Events of the Meiji Period

Many important things happened during the Meiji period while Emperor Meiji was in charge.

  • 1868 (Meiji 1): The Meiji Restoration happened. This was a big change where the emperor gained more power. The capital city of Japan also moved from Kyoto to Tokyo.
  • 1889-1890 (Meiji 22-23): Japan created its first modern rulebook, called the Constitution of the Empire of Japan. This set up a new government system.
  • 1894-1895 (Meiji 27-28): Japan fought in the First Sino-Japanese War.
  • 1904-1905 (Meiji 37-38): Japan fought in the Russo-Japanese War.
  • July 30, 1912 (Meiji 45): Emperor Meiji passed away, and the Meiji period ended.

Leaders and Politics

During the Meiji period, Japan started having a Prime Minister. This person was the head of the government. Here are some of the people who served as Prime Minister during this time:

  • 1885 (Meiji 18): Ito Hirobumi became Japan's first Prime Minister.
  • 1888 (Meiji 21): Kuroda Kiyotaka became the second Prime Minister.
  • 1889 (Meiji 22): Yamagata Aritomo became the third Prime Minister.
  • 1891 (Meiji 24): Matsukata Masayoshi became the fourth Prime Minister.
  • 1892 (Meiji 25): Ito Hirobumi became Prime Minister again.
  • 1896 (Meiji 29): Matsukata Masayoshi became Prime Minister again.
  • 1898 (Meiji 31): Ito Hirobumi became Prime Minister for the third time.
  • 1898 (Meiji 31): Ōkuma Shigenobu became Prime Minister.
  • 1898 (Meiji 31): Yamagata Aritomo became Prime Minister again.
  • 1900 (Meiji 33): Ito Hirobumi became Prime Minister for the fourth time.
  • 1901 (Meiji 34): Katsura Tarō became Prime Minister.
  • 1906 (Meiji 39): Saionji Kinmochi became Prime Minister.
  • 1908 (Meiji 41): Katsura Tarō became Prime Minister again.
  • 1911 (Meiji 44): Saionji Kinmochi became Prime Minister again.

Gallery

  • MeijiJoukyou

    The 15-year-old Emperor Meiji, moving from Kyoto to Tokyo, at the end of 1868.

  • Kenpohapu-chikanobu

    The official start of the Meiji Constitution in 1889. This is a woodblock print by Toyohara Chikanobu.

  • 1872 Japanese silver yen both

    A one-yen coin from 1870 (Meiji 3 明治三年), showing both sides.

  • First Meiji one yen banknote 1871

    The first one-yen banknote from the Meiji period, issued in 1871.

Related pages

Images for kids

  • Meiji tenno1

    Emperor Meiji in his fifties.

  • Ginza in 1880s

    Ginza street in the 1880s.

  • KaitakushiSapporoHonchosha1873-restoration

    The Hokkaidō Development Commission Sapporo Main Office (Historical Village of Hokkaido).

  • Tokyo Industrial Exhibition

    The 1907 Tokyo Industrial Exhibition.

  • Tsurumai Park 1910

    Tsuruma Park in 1910. Public parks, like Ueno Park, started to be created in 1873.

  • Shuri Castle Kankaimon with Soldiers of the Meiji Government

    Japanese soldiers in front of Kankaimon gate at Shuri Castle during the Ryūkyū Disposition.

  • SaigoTsugumichi

    Marquis Saigo Tsugumichi led Japanese forces as a lieutenant-general in the Taiwan Expedition.

  • Soldiers of the Japanese expedition in Taiwan

    Commander-in-chief Saigō Tsugumichi with leaders of Seqalu (a native tribe) during the Taiwan Expedition of 1874.

  • 鳥居龍藏所攝眉原社泰雅族男人

    A photograph of Atayal men taken by Torii Ryūzō in 1900.

  • 1895 Meiji 28 Japanese Map of Imperial Japan with Taiwan - Geographicus - ImperialJapan-meiji28-1895

    A map of the Japanese Empire from 1895. This map was made after the 1895 Japanese invasion of Taiwan and was one of the first to show Taiwan as part of Japan.

  • Khalili Collection Japanese Meiji Art M17

    A mythical group made of bronze by Otake Koriyuni, from the Khalili Collection of Japanese Art.

  • Vase LACMA M.91.251.1 (2 of 2)

    Flower and bird pattern vase, by Namikawa Yasuyuki.

  • Khalili Collection Japanese Meijji waves panel

    "Waves" maki-e panel by Shibata Zeshin, 1888-1890.

  • Twelve Hawks by Suzuki Chokichi, 1893, bronze, lacquer, casting, gilding, and inlay - DSC04872

    One of the Twelve Hawks by Suzuki Chokichi, 1893. It is made of bronze with lacquer, casting, gilding, and inlay.

  • Khalili Collection Japanese Meiji Art S30

    An earthenware bowl by Yabu Meizan, made around 1910.

  • Khalili Collection Japanese Meiji Art MISC066C

    Basket of Flowers, made around 1900. From the Khalili Collection of Japanese Art.

  • Khalili Collections A Composite Imaginary View of Japan

    A textile artwork showing a combined imaginary view of Japan.

  • Ryūko-zu Byōbu by Hashimoto Gahō(Part of the tiger)

    The left side of the Byōbu screen called Dragon and tiger (竜虎図), made in 1895 by Hashimoto Gahō.

  • Ryūko-zu Byōbu by Hashimoto Gahō(Part of the dragon)

    The right side of the Byōbu screen called Dragon and tiger, made in 1895 by Hashimoto Gahō.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Era Meiji para niños

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Meiji period Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.