History glossary
the Meiji
the reign and reform era associated with Emperor Meiji, lasting from 1868 to 1912.
- Category
- Era
- Region
- Japan
- Date range
- 1868-1912
What it means
The Meiji refers to the reign of Emperor Meiji and the state-building era that began with the Restoration of 1868. It is associated with centralisation, industrialisation, constitutional reform and Japan's rise as an imperial power.
Related terms
Stories using this term
The Opium Wars
From the Canton System to the fall of Beijing, the Opium Wars turned illegal trade, imperial power and Qing weakness into a new unequal treaty order.
Imperial Japan
From Meiji modernisation to colonial rule, militarism, mobilisation and defeat, Imperial Japan rose as a modern empire before collapsing in 1945.
The Meiji Restoration
From Tokugawa order to imperial restoration, conscription, industrialisation and military victory, the Meiji era transformed Japan into a modern imperial power.
