Fantastic video! Japan is truly an impressive nation with an intriguing history!

Imagine being born in 1854 in Feudal Japan, and then experiencing not only rapid industrialization and modernization within a hundred years, but become an economic superpower with technology that surpasses the west in your own lifetime.

Great video, it's nice to have a documentary that succinctly summarises a period of history without delving into excessive dramatisation like many other channels do.

To date, the Meji Restoration is one of the fastest modernization in history!

It´s really impressive, how Emperor Meiji & his government transformed Japan from an isolationist, feudal nation into a modern industrial & military powerhouse, in this short span of time. Emperor Meiji & his government, pretty much saw what happened with the Chinese Empire & how it became a shadow of it former self, exploited by the European colonial powers and ruled by corrupt bureaucrats and said themselves: "NOPE!" Then they literally dragged Japan into the modern age, kicking & screaming.

I studied Japanese history and literature during my undergraduate years (peripherally as I received a degree in music and education), subsequently lived and worked in Japan for 3 years in my 20's, and since then have spent my summers in Japan nearly every year. My Japanese wife and I are both educators - she early-childhood and I middle/high school. I am a keen and interested observer of Japanese history, culture and language. And I have to say that this is the most excited I have ever been about a KZfaq video discussing Japanese history of any period. Several minutes in it became clear to me that it was researched and written by people in academia, probably with doctorates, and this proved to be true in the end credits. But what I would like to remark is: this video document strikes a balance between academic rigor on one hand and entertaining presentation style and pacing on the other that I've never seen before. It's a perfect balance. I follow quite a few other channels that make high quality history content, sure, but nothing feels like this does. Most other channels repackage information at the standard textbook level in more visually engaging and entertaining ways. Maybe that's what this is doing too, but this feels a higher caliber, meticulously crafted by experts in this field, not just KZfaqrs who are avid amateur historians. I love the latter, but this level of historical presentation is special. I see that you have done pieces on Takamori Saigo and Emperor Hirohito as well. I look forward to watching them and have most enthusiastically subscribed to the channel. Thank you for this wonderfully authentic work.

I always find it amazing that we can watch this quality of video from KZfaq. As many people watch them via a smart TV we could be seeing a BBC documentary or one of the many commercial channels. Thanks The People Profiles.

Glad I finally got around to watching your presentation. I have long been aware of the significance of the reign of the Emperor Meiji, your presentation has been very enlightening. This emperor's reign set the stage for the following century and can not be underestimated. Thank you for your empirical efforts to shed light on one of the greatest, but seemingly least known of the Japanese Emperors.

The voice over dude is a good man to tell stories about history

We owe a great deal of gratitude to the first Englishman who reached Japan, later celebrated as the first English Samurai, for halting the spread of the European virus catholic ideology, particularly among the Portuguese, within this exquisite Japanese society. Without his intervention, or if he had not revealed the truth about the world and the sick mindset of Portuguese to Ieyasu Tokugawa during the new Edo era in the early 17th century, we might have witnessed another version of exploitation in Japanese society, similar to what other countries experienced when destroyed by European colonizers such as North and South America, Australia, Africa, and New Zealand. Hence, William Adams stands as a profoundly significant figure in Japanese history.

Although the Restoration returned the power to the Emperor from the feudal military government, this only lasted till 1905 when Japan became a constitution monarch and once again its government became dominated by the militarism till the end of WWII.

While a very nuts-and-bolts recitation of the facts concerning the Meiji restoration, the photography in this is overwhelming! I want to see this on a big screen...

Firearms were accidentally introduced to Japan in 1543 by Portuguese, by the time of Battle of Sekigahara, Japan became one of the world’s largest rifle-armed military power by the time of Battle of Sekigahara in 1600. Samurai forces were always armed with self-manufactured “Tanegashima” match lock rifle regiments. Tanegashima match locks were high quality match-locks at the time, still sought after collectors items today. New rifles used in Saigo’s rebellion, many of which were fought with surplus American civil war weapons which US has exported to Japan , Meiji restorations were Japan’s version of Industrial Revolution .

Outstanding video! A reasonable summary of a century of events, ending at WW2. I was quite familiar with Japanese history from 1920-29 to the end of WW2 and beyond, but this was my introduction to the beginning of the Meiji era.

Thanks. Always wanted to learn more about him.

Yes! A fantastic video on the life and accomplishments of Meiji the Great! Japan's Greatest Emperor.

I wish my country have one day someone like Meiji.

14:45 interesting fact about Tokyo's name being "Eastern Capital" In Chinese, Tokyo is called "Dongjing" translating as "Eastern Capital". Beijing, is "Northern Capital" and Nanjing is "Southern Capital". There is no "Western Capital" but there is the ancient city of Xi'an, which translates in Chinese to "Western Harmony" previously known as Chang'an, China's most ancient and revered capital.

Japan has such a violent but yet fascinating history. From the samurai, to Meiji restoration then on to WWII. I hope to visit there one day.

One of my favorite periods in time, Japan really did set the standard 😁

The English translation of the name of this movement is quite interesting. The original Japanese name of this movement is "Meiji Revolution" (明治維新). The name of this movement came from ancient Chinese literature, "The Book of Songs": "周虽旧邦，其命维新"(Although Zhou is an old kingdom, it undertakes a mission of revolution). The original Japanese name of this movement focuses more on "revolution". However, the English translation chooses to focus more on "restoration".

Both interesting and informative. Great job.

Another excellent video! That was a lot of historical information put together in an hour video.

Brilliant, a short and succinct history lesson on the pre-WWII Japan, well worth the time, will subscribe to the channel.

Just came home from work and seen this!!! Whoop whoop! Super Pumped!!!

No nation has developed into the modern world so quickly like Nippon.

Interesting historical lesson.

Fantastic documentary. Well done!

Half way through the video. One of your best yet imo.

Contrary to what is said in the video, Kido and Saigo were not daimyo lords but were initially relatively low ranking samurai.

Slight problems with the Shogunate overthrow part of the video. Sakamoto Ryoma ought to be mentioned. He made Satsuma and Choshu allies and they then could overcome the Shogun. But what happened was that Yoshinobu abdicated before their demands could be made. He became a subservient of the emperor instead, but a powerful vassal. Satsuma and Choshu realizing this, made the brazen move to occupy Kyoto, thus starting the war.

Saigo, Okubo, and Kido were neither lords nor Daimyo. They were mere clansmen whose standing within the clan was never that high nor influential. Saigo for instance has been exiled and reprimanded several times by his own clan lord.

this is a very great documentary to learn about emperor meiji 👍👍👍

NHK brings what's presented here to life in their TAIGA dramas. They do their homework and humanizes these historical events.

This is , without doubt, an awesome video. Yet I feel as if it lack nuance regarding the drastic change in behaviour of the Japanese troops between WW1 and WW2. Back in WW1, the Japanese were known and respected for being very gallant and upholding the laws of war. In fact, one of today's odditiy in Japanese society is their perceived obession with "tree cake" a German speciality. This came about because back in WW1, Japan was fighting against Germany and captured a baker who decided to stay in Japan because he had been treated so well despite being a POW. Now compare that with how the Japanese troops behaved (on average) in WW2 and a stark contrast emerges.

Nice, thanks for sharing

amazing video thank you:)

The Meiji Restoration was a godsend for Japan. It enabled Nippon to modernize and build a strong military and do away with the anachronism that the samurai system represented. Within a few years,it could take on threats coming from supposedly stronger nations to the extent of defeating Russia in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904,(the first oriental power to rout a western power). At the funeral procession of Meiji,two different images of Japan were shown. A procession preceding his cortège or bier had the old trappings of samurai weaponry while the second following his corpse or bier was an expression of the new Japan.

Great video!

My favourite Japanese Emperor next to Jimmu!

Dope doc thanks world always been crazy

Also a random interesting fact about Meiji Restoration is that prior to the era, the Japanese celebrate their new year in accordance to Chinese calendar, with their own tradition, but after Meiji all of the tradition is celebrated in accordance to Gregorian calendar instead (e.g. praying in temples, cooking specific foods, etc. in 31 December - 1 January instead on the date of Chinese New Year) Until now the Chinese New Year is celebrated culturally by the modern Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese along with Chinese diaspora all over the world even if the countries use Gregorian calendar.

Prince Sachi was his title, not name. His birth name was Mutsuhito. Also emperor in japan are never given their emperor name. The choose them themselves. Meiji (meaning enlightened rule) was the name he chose.

Excellent documentary ☺️

"The Society of Righteous and Harmonious *Fists*." Ha ha ha, love the name.

Very interesting

Thanks!

6:08 “Leyoshi” should be “Ieyoshi” (capital i)

another good one

Most informative video about modern Japan progresses steps...allot thanks for sharing

He made a great foundation for his family in Japan and that is great

Great documentary thanks for posting

Very Instructive, Bravo !

they may have gotten rid of the Shogun but they never got rid of the teachings of Bushido.

A very interesting setpiece. Good work!

Meiji was just born at a time when real Japanese rulers needed a figure head to rally around. He really didn’t have real power just like most of his predecessors. He was just a convenient figure head

Emperor Meiji is a splendid ruler in Japan

Thank you British friends for sharing our story, the Meiji Restoration is one of the most important events in Japan, Emperor Meiji had a glorious but difficult reign.

Political real power has not been vested in the TENOW for a thousand years, including the Meiji TENOW. And the term Emperor is misleading. Some people say he is similar to the Pope, but the TENOW's power is much weaker. Still, he is certainly the most important entity in Japan.

Love Japanese history.

Id love if there was audio podcast version of this channel

I NEED that piece of music that rolls at the credits. Please say that someone knows the name 🙏 I know its probably just stock royalty free stuff, but it's fuggin' catchy.

The war that Meiji emperor won against China, Korea and Russia made a false belief that it would win the war against America. This is the greatest blunder and mistake that Japan ever underestimates the u.s. it's results in a terrible lost and the worst humiliation for Japan.

Meiji was Japan’s greatest emperor.

This was very interesting history It is interesting how in a short period of time with outside influences how much violence took place I believe the poor people had to endure way too many changes that destroyed beautiful traditions I noted the Us involvement brought war on itself later I’ve read that in the war with Japan how tremendous cruelty and torture was inflicted upon the captured U S soldiers I pray we as a world full of people do not have another world war It seems nations do not learn from their mistakes

"Open your country! be more like us!" "Whoa whoa, you're way too good at being like us!"

As a Filipino, I envy Japan because they already have a structured society before the Europeans and Americans came in to touch the East Asia. I feel bad on China and Korea though, because it feels like they are being gang raepd by these western colonizers.

Whoa i struck a gold mine!

55:35-56:10 of the video is a damning indictment of Emperor Hirohito's pre-war and wartime leadership. Feeding the myth that he was a demi-god who deserved unquestioned loyalty and obedience from his millions of subjects, Hirohito was unable to stop Japan's turn from democracy to militarism, ultra-nationalism and territorial expansionism. During imperial conferences attended by Japan''s military and civilian decision-making elite, he allowed pro-war voices to prevail over voices of reason and moderation against war. He ultimately endorsed Japan's decision to launch the Pacific war in 1941. Though one might counter-argue that Hirohito was constrained by the limits of his constitutional power as Emperor, he overrode these constraints by taking an active interest in overseeing Japan's battles against US forces, e.g. in the South Pacific campaigns. While the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy did not know when and how to end the Pacific war, Hirohito failed to assert his leadership to sue for peace at strategic opportunities during the Pacific war, e.g. when the Japanese empire was at its zenith, when 4 aircraft carriers were sunk at Midway, or when Saipan was lost. This could have prevented US bombings of Japanese cities on the mainland. It must take Hiroshima and Nagasaki to finally make him come to his senses, when his race was threatened with annihilation. The post-war conspiracy of silence and attempts to exonerate their Emperor for his wartime role and responsibilities, by his imperial palace subordinates and armed forces generals and admirals, while proving their loyalty, only reinforced suspicions about the extent of Hirohito's wartime involvement. Though saved from the gallows or firing squad by victorious allies to serve US' larger strategic interests, this man bore wartime guilt for the rest of his post-war life and went to his grave with blood on his hands.

Great video, but one point . . . 3:12: Koreans did not settle across or invade Japan in a meaningful way since the start of the historic time, although there were prehistoric movements of peoples and culture across the sea (which direction has been a controversial topic, at least in the past). Rather, it was the people from Japan that invaded Korea, including many smaller-scale pirate raids and a large-scale invasion in 1592-1598 led by Toyotomi Hideyoshi (not to mention the occupation during 1907/10-1945). The 1592-1598 war also resulted in the forced relocation of many Korean artisans (ceramics), technicians, and other talents to Japan.

I live alternately in Japan (in Kyoto) and in the US. For many years I've been trying to understand what it is about Japanese culture that permitted and fostered the quick upsurge of militarism in the early 20th century. There are clues, but no clear-cut answers.

The Right Man for Right Job at the Right time

Interesting video. Though wasn't it Chōshu (with no n) and Ieyasu (not Leyasu)? 🤔

Where my Rurouni Kenshin fans at?

In case of Meiji restoration and Japanese modernization, I guess we can't forget importance of contributions from Ito Hirobumi and Ernest Satow...

The Meiji restoration is basically a japanese AOE 2 player using the " aegis " cheat code

I still boggles my mind how fast Japan modernized from literally a feudal state within a few decades. And they managed to do it without being colonized by the major European powers. The European powers definitely underestimated Japan and the lengths to which the Meiji government would go to modernize and keep their independence.

Where's the part about Kenshin?

It's no wonder the aliens are afraid of us .. we can't stop fighting each OTHER

More Wars of the Roses… Margaret of Anjou next!!!

There are always good things and bad things about historic people. Meiji did great in playing a key role of embracing the world and accelerating the advancement of the whole country in politics and industries. However, he still upheld an ideology inheritant from Shogunate which believed in power and military, neglecting the people rights and the benefit to the common mass. He had his limitations. That's why Washinton was so much revered by the world.

5:40 “Open the country. Stop having it be closed.”

Japan definitely needed to modernise or become another victim of American and European imperialism. It's unfortunate that it also went down that path and to utter defeat, having achieved so much in so short a time.

It's funny, because 99% of this, Meiji had no control or influence on. He merely existed, while folks arbitrarily made his existence important. He could have been a cup with an M on it and nothing would be different.

jzpan is the best example "apprentice exceeds the master" and meji is the central figure head that unifies the classes in the society.

Fascinating documentary, if a little bit whitewashed. For example, one of the reasons for the Boxer Rebellion was the fact that the Western powers were actively encouraging the opium trade as a means of controlling China. Also, as per usual, the Westerners were trying to divvy up the country and the Boxers - understandably - found this attempt at colonisation unacceptable. Lots of information also left out about the break-up of the samurai class, and the clashes between the traditionalists and the Meiji era. But overall, really interesting video. 🙂

GREAT credit to Meiji for his long-sighted perspective regarding Japan's future. It was a shame that the Bushido crowd later decided to bend, fold, spindle & mutilate what Meiji began into what eventually became WWII. joeinbuenosaires 😎

I love the Meiji.

Tenno Heika Banzai

There are 2 street scenes ( towards the end ) judging from the outfits of the people is unmistakably the Qing Dynasty Chinese allure but the context is about the Japanese political and economic situation. I wonder if it is intentional?

The most interestingly bizarre thing, is that the Europeans for over a hundred years, desired nothing more but to establish trade links with Asia, and when they arrived everything was such a historical type encounter. You couldn't have called before you built the ship? No, and what's more is that they were all in competiton with one another with populations, local populations which were growing wealthier and there was the revolution of the rise in a merchant middle class. So, the pressure to trade was not deflectable within the internal politics of the Europeans of the age. It was deadly dangerous, more deathly dangerous to risk not trying to trade. I'm looking forward to 2nd act, 3rd time charm, and this time, Japan is getting supplied ample raw material. Japan for shipping finished goods to Philippines and other islands, and those islands return spices and other things on ship back to Japan. But I can direct more ships from around the world to Japan, so less shipping if I ship SIPs built in Japan to build Philippino houses. Meiji provided what compelled Columbus to sail in '92, silk! The Japanese are recognizing that the world is competitive. They are adjusting to the competitive nature of the world now that they trade with nations that compete against one another.

That's Ieyoshi with an "I"

Japanese Court.🇯🇵🇯🇵⚜️ From Shogun Akihito.⚜️🇯🇵🇯🇵

46:00 not mentioning the 55 days of Peking is a little strange. It sounds like the European where the aggressors and not the Chinese taking around 1000 western and Japanese ambassadors and embassy personal hostage. The killing of the German ambassador could have been mentioned too. Everybody knows that the Boxers worked for the empress, why continue the lie that they were just poor revolutionaries. They never tried any kind of revolution, they worked in tandem with the Chinese army and they were really brutal. The part about the Japanese in China is pure CCCP propaganda. The "unequal treaties" just reversed centuries of unequal trade that had led to an economic recession caused by all the world silver ending up in China for hundreds of years.

Was there ever mentioned of a legendary swordsman with a cross shaped scare on his face? Some would call him some kind of man slayer or something.

Actually, the United States modernised the quickest when viewed from a historical perspective. Given that Japan and China had 10,000 years of history collectively it's more impressive that USA managed to land on moon and invent all crazy things in only a few hundred years 😂

The video explains that Prince Sachi's mother was a "concubine of the empress". Was this supposed to be "concubine of the emperor" instead of his wife?

when japanese emperor died,his posthumous name is the name of his reign period is Meiji.. so technically,he shud be called "meiji emperor"..not "emperor meiji"..is my assumption correct? Or im just making assumptions ..

I've seen other videos that put the evil acts of Japan down to Tojo, Horohito was just a bystander because he was so young. But I think early on he supported Tojo, but by the time of Nagasaki, he was with the peace faction and [I've read] ordered the government to surrender.

a great man