How did the Emperor system (Tennosei) in the Meiji period differ from modern nationalism? Introduction This essay will examine the conflicting pressures and circumstances in which the Emperor system arose. It will then discuss the way in which a peculiar, Breuillian nationalism arose in Japan which is not wholly compatible with liberal nationalist theories. An examination of the road to, and the reality of, the Meiji Constitution in 1890 will continue this theme, and will suggest that the Tennosei was a deeply conservative system which was seen as strengthening national revival rather than creation or nation-building. The constitution, in consequence, must be seen in the context of educat...
This is a collection of personal and largely unedited observations covering the years from 2006 to now; I assert my copyright but am fine with links and footnotes. Some posts are obviously much more researched than others, and any errors are wholly mine except where I have innocently disseminated or linked to other bloggers or commentators.