Emperor Meiji
Emperor of Japan from 1867 to 1912
Biography
Emperor Meiji (3 November 1852 – 29 July 1912), personal name Mutsuhito, was Emperor of Japan from 30 January 1867 until his death in 1912. The Meiji Restoration proclaimed the Empire of Japan in 1868, beginning the Meiji era. During his reign, Japan transformed from a feudal state under the Tokugawa shogunate into a major imperial power.
At the time of Mutsuhito's birth, Japan was a feudal 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 opening of Japan to the West from 1854 fueled domestic demands for modernization, and when Mutsuhito became emperor after the death of his father Emperor Kōmei in 1867, it triggered the Boshin War, in which samurai (mostly from the Chōshū and Satsuma Domains) defeated the shogunate and restored power in his name.
Documents issued during his reign include the Charter Oath of 1868, Meiji Constitution of 1889, Imperial Rescript to Soldiers and Sailors of 1882, and Imperial Rescript on Education of 1890, in which he was advised by a group of oligarchs known as the genrō. Other major events which occurred during his reign include the establishment of the Cabinet in 1885, Privy Council in 1888, Imperial Diet in 1890, and military victories over China in the First Sino-Japanese War and over Russia in the Russo-Japanese War. Taiwan and Korea were annexed in 1895 and 1910, respectively. Emperor Meiji died aged 59 at Meiji Palace in Tokyo, and was succeeded by his eldest son, Yoshihito.
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Career highlights
Career & roles
- Emperor of Japan
Family
- Spouse(s)
- Empress Shōken
- Children
- Wakamitsuteru-hiko no MikotoWakatakayori-hime no MikotoShigeko, Princess UmeYukihito, Prince TakeEmperor TaishōAkiko, Princess ShigeFumiko, Princess MasuShizuko, Princess HisaMichihito, Prince AkiPrincess Masako Takeda
Awards & honours (23)
- Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece
- Order of the Black Eagle
- Order of the Rising Sun, 1st class
- Order of St. Andrew
- Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum
- Collar of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum
- Knight grand cross of the order of the crown of Italy
- Order of the Rising Sun with Paulownia Flowers, 1st class
- Order of the Golden Kite
- Order of the Sacred Treasure
- Order of the Garter
- Royal Order of the Seraphim
- Order of the Elephant
- Order of the Golden Fleece
- Order of the Most Holy Annunciation
- Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus
- Order of the Redeemer
- Order of the Royal House of Chakri
- Royal Order of Kamehameha I
- Order of Saint Hubert
- Order of the White Falcon
- Order of the Saxe-Ernestine
- Knight of the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky
Quick answers about Emperor Meiji
- How old was Emperor Meiji?
- Emperor Meiji died on July 30, 1912 at the age of 59.
- When is Emperor Meiji's birthday?
- Emperor Meiji was born on November 3, 1852.
- Where was Emperor Meiji born?
- Emperor Meiji was born in Site of the Nakayama Residence.
- What is Emperor Meiji's zodiac sign?
- Emperor Meiji's zodiac sign is Scorpio.
- What is Emperor Meiji's nationality?
- Emperor Meiji is a citizen of Japan.
- What does Emperor Meiji do?
- Emperor Meiji is known as monarch, aristocrat.
- Who has Emperor Meiji been married to?
- According to Wikidata, Emperor Meiji's spouse is or was Empress Shōken.
- How many children did Emperor Meiji have?
- Wikidata lists 10 children of Emperor Meiji.
