Emperor of Japan: Difference between revisions
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Depending on the time and government structure, the '''Emperor of Japan''' has been principally a religious figure, a ceremonial head of state, or a head of state with major but hidden authority. | Depending on the time and government structure, the '''Emperor of Japan''' has been principally a religious figure, a ceremonial head of state, or a head of state with major but hidden authority. There is considered to be a single '''Yamato Dynasty''', beginning seventy-four generations ago under the semi-divine Jimmu. | ||
Names are sometimes confusing; the Emperor has a personal name, but, a name is given to the reign, which may become the better-known posthumous name of the Emperor. For example, [[Mutsohito]] was the human emperor during what became called the [[Meiji Restoration]], so Mutsohito is also called the Meiji Emperor in the Meiji Era. His grandson, [[Hirohito]], is also called the [[Showa Emperor]] for his reign, ironically translated as "heavenly peace". "Meiji emperor" is used in practice but "Hirohito" is better known. | |||
Groups of imperial, or sometimes by the "servant" but actually head of government, the [[shogun]], reigns have also been called '''periods''': | |||
*Classical Japan<ref>{{citation | |||
| url ==http://wsu.edu/~dee/ANCJAPAN/HEIAN.HTM | |||
| author = Richard Hooker | |||
| title = Ancient Japan | |||
| contribution = Heian Japan | |||
| publisher = Washington State University | |||
}}</ref> | |||
**[[Nara Period]] (710-794) | |||
**[[Heian Period]] (794-1185) | |||
*[[Kamakura Shogunate]] | |||
*[[Edo Period]]/[[Tokugawa Shogunate]] | |||
**Modern Japan | |||
*Meiji period (1868-present), although radically changed in 1945 | |||
The theoretical authority of the emperor, especially from 1868 to 1945, has been controversial, as in the [[organ theory of government]]. Some Emperors, especially Hirohito, appear to have taken a significant behind-the-scenes operational role. Akihito and his descendants, however, are purely ceremonial. | The theoretical authority of the emperor, especially from 1868 to 1945, has been controversial, as in the [[organ theory of government]]. Some Emperors, especially Hirohito, appear to have taken a significant behind-the-scenes operational role. Akihito and his descendants, however, are purely ceremonial. | ||
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| year = 2001 | isbn = 978-0060931308 | | year = 2001 | isbn = 978-0060931308 | ||
}}, p. 3</ref> | }}, p. 3</ref> | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist|2}} | ||
Revision as of 15:57, 4 September 2010
Depending on the time and government structure, the Emperor of Japan has been principally a religious figure, a ceremonial head of state, or a head of state with major but hidden authority. There is considered to be a single Yamato Dynasty, beginning seventy-four generations ago under the semi-divine Jimmu.
Names are sometimes confusing; the Emperor has a personal name, but, a name is given to the reign, which may become the better-known posthumous name of the Emperor. For example, Mutsohito was the human emperor during what became called the Meiji Restoration, so Mutsohito is also called the Meiji Emperor in the Meiji Era. His grandson, Hirohito, is also called the Showa Emperor for his reign, ironically translated as "heavenly peace". "Meiji emperor" is used in practice but "Hirohito" is better known.
Groups of imperial, or sometimes by the "servant" but actually head of government, the shogun, reigns have also been called periods:
- Classical Japan[1]
- Nara Period (710-794)
- Heian Period (794-1185)
- Kamakura Shogunate
- Edo Period/Tokugawa Shogunate
- Modern Japan
- Meiji period (1868-present), although radically changed in 1945
The theoretical authority of the emperor, especially from 1868 to 1945, has been controversial, as in the organ theory of government. Some Emperors, especially Hirohito, appear to have taken a significant behind-the-scenes operational role. Akihito and his descendants, however, are purely ceremonial.
Controlling foreign and military policy, therefore, is most significant with Hirohito and Mutsihito; Yoshihito was ill and could take little role. The Japanese concept is very different than the western one of civilian control of the military, as that implies the legitimacy of control deriving from the democratic consent of the governed.
Origins
The traditional first emperor, Jimmu, seventy-three generations before Hirohito, is considered of of divine origin.[2]
Under the Tokugawa Shogunate
Emperors after the fall of the Tokugawa Shogunate
| Personal name | Life | Date of rule | Reign name |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mutsohito | 1852-1912 | 1867-1912 | Meiji |
| Yasohito | 1879-1926 | 1912-1926 | Taisho |
| Hirohito | 1901-1989 | 1926-1989 | Showa |
| Akihito | b. 1933 | 1989-present | Heisei |
Mutsohito's authority
Hirohito's authority
It had been the immediate postwar position of Hirohito that he opposed World War Two in the Pacific, but, "as a constitutional monarch under a constitutional government, I could not avoid approving the decision of the Tojo goverment at the time of approving hostilities...actually I was virtually a prisoner and helpless." Biographer Herbert Bix responded that these statements were "apt symbols of the secrecy, myth and gross misrepresentation that surrounded his entire life."[3]
References
- ↑ Richard Hooker, [=http://wsu.edu/~dee/ANCJAPAN/HEIAN.HTM Heian Japan], Ancient Japan, Washington State University
- ↑ Jerrold M. Packard (1989), Sons of Heaven: A Portrait of the Japanese Monarchy, Macmillan, ISBN 0020232810, pp. 23-28
- ↑ Herbert P. Bix (2001), Hirohito and the making of modern Japan, Harper Perennial, ISBN 978-0060931308, p. 3