Building a Modern Nation: The Meiji Period (1868–1912)

Abstract

The ‘restored’ Emperor Mutsuhito, at 15 years of age, was hardly likely to proceed without guidance in his ‘enlightened rule’. Not surprisingly, his advisers were the samurai leaders who had supported his cause. These were mostly from Satsuma and Chōshŋ, with a few from other domains such as Tosa (in Shikoku) and Hizen (in Kyūshū). There were also a few court nobles such as Iwakura Tomomi among the group of advisers, mostly to add legitimacy to what was in effect the new government.