and symbols of the past: Mt. Fuji, the tea ceremony, and the sacred

objects of nature revered in Shintoism. Two of the most important

traditions and symbols in Japan; the Emperor and Confucianism have

endured through Shogunates, restorations of imperial rule, and up to

present day. The leaders of the Meiji Restoration used these

traditions to gain control over Japan and further their goals of

modernization. The Meiji leaders used the symbolism of the Emperor to

add legitimacy to their government, by claiming that they were ruling

under the "Imperial Will." They also used Confucianism to maintain

order and force the Japanese people to passively accept their rule.

Japanese rulers historically have used the symbolism of the

Imperial Institution to justify their rule. The symbolism of the

Japanese Emperor is very powerful and is wrapped up in a mix of

religion (Shintoism) and myths. According to Shintoism the current

Emperor is the direct descendent of the Sun Goddess who formed the

islands of Japan out of the Ocean in ancient times.Footnote1 According

movement to the right. The Rescript emphasized loyalty and filial

Oligarchs to focus on national and not local issues.

Suntory-Toyota International Centre, 1989) 27.

it undercut the legitimacy of the Shogunate's rule, and it

Education signaled the rise of nationalistic elements in Japan. The

Some common words found in the essay are:
Confucianism Emperor, Emperor Meiji, Komeo Emperor, Japanese Emperor, Tokyo Japan, Rescript Education, Imperial Myth, Emperor Imperial, Shogunate Meiji, Meiji Emperor, education system, meiji era, imperial institution, emperor meiji, meiji oligarchs, meiji rulers, modern japan, meiji leaders, political history japan, peter duus, scribner sons, walter mclaren political, mclaren political history, rise modern japan, japan boston houghton,
Approximate Word count = 4266
Approximate Pages = 17 (250 words per page double spaced)