The story of Rurouni Kenshin is set in the Tokugawa and Meiji era's
MEIJI ERA (1868-1912)
In 1867, after a civil war, the Tokugawa era found an end in the Meiji Restoration. The emperor Matsuhito moved from Kyoto to Tokyo which became the new capital; his imperial power was restored. The actual political power was transferred from the Tokugawa Bakufu into the hands of a small group of nobles and former samurai.
In order to regain independence from the Europeans and Americans and establish herself as a respected nation in the world, Meiji Japan was determined to close the gap to the Western powers economically and militarily. Drastic reforms were carried out in practically all areas.
The new government aimed to make Japan a democratic state with equality among all its people. The boundaries between the social classes of Tokugawa Japan were gradually broken down. Consequently, the samurai in reason of those social reforms lost all their privileges.
In order to stabilize the new government, the former feudal lords (daimyo) had to return all their lands to the emperor. This was achieved already in 1870 and followed by the restructuring of the country in prefectures.
The large expenditures led to a financial crisis in the middle of the 1880's which was followed by a reform of the currency system and the establishment of the Bank of Japan.
Catching up on the military sector was, of course, a high priority for Japan in an era of European and American imperialism. Universal conscription was introduced, and a new army modelled after the Prussian force, and a navy after the British one were established.
In 1889, a parliament, the Diet, was established while the emperor kept sovereignty: he stood at the top of the army, navy, executive and legislative power. The ruling clique, however, kept on holding the actual power, and the able and intelligent emperor Meiji agreed with most of their actions. Political parties did not yet gain real power due to the lack of unity among their members.
Conflicts of interests in Korea between China and Japan led to the Sino-Japanese War in 1894-95. Japan defeated China, received Taiwan, but was forced by Russia, France and Germany to return other territories. The so called Triple Intervention caused the Japanese army and navy to intensify their rearmament.
New conflicts of interests in Korea and Manchuria, this time between Russia and Japan, led to the Russo-Japanese War in 1904-05. The Japanese army also won this war gaining territory and finally some international respect. Japan further increased her influence on Korea and annexed her completely in 1910. In Japan, the war successes caused nationalism to increase even more, and other Asian nations also started to develop national self confidence.
Timeline: Meiji Era 1867-1912
The Meiji Era was one of modernization, including the development of a navy and army, railroads, and a parliament. Many
relics of the past were destroyed and in the process, many old practices were abandoned.
1868 Edo renamed Tokyo. The Meiji era began.
1869 Daimyo return their lands to the Throne.
1870 The boundaries between the social classes broken down Some of the samurai became noble, other became "shizoku"
and some other mixed with the common people.
1871 The feudalism decaded and a new system based on prefectures took its place. The prefecture are ruled by an
administrator named by the central government.
1872 First locomotive line between Shimbashi (Tokyo) and Yokohama opened. Public shools opened all over the country.
1873 The Japanese calendar is substituted with the Western one. Weapons are no moreallowed in the cities.
1874 Itagaki Taisuke ask the goverment to estabilish a popular parliament.
1877 First Industrial Exhibition held at Ueno Park. A civil war led by Nanshu Saigo took place in Kyushu, but it's
easily stopped.
1879 The First Tokyo-fu (Tokyo "Prefecture") Conference held.
1882 The first zoo opened in Ueno.
1885 The first prime minister, Hirobumi Ito, organized a Cabinet.
1887 Electricity illuminated Tokyo for the first time.
1888 Municipal organization system started.
1889 Dainippon Imperial Constitution promulgated. Tokyo-shi ("Tokyo city") included 15 ku (wards).
1893 Three Tama Areas incorporated into Tokyo-fu from Kanagawa Prefecture. Tokyo Station retains vestiges of the Meiji era.
1894 Tokyo-fu Government Building was completed in Marunouchi, Tokyo. Sino-Japanese War (-1895)
1902 Japan and Great Britain allied
1904 Russo-Japanese War (-1905)
1910 Korea became part of Japan