A presentation for my History 103 class in regards to Meiji era clothing and roles in society.

1. 日本の明治時代 –女のへんせん Japan’s Meiji Era – A Woman’s Change

2. Meiji Era The 45 year period where the Meiji Emperor reigned (Oct. 23rd 1868 – July 30th 1912) Meiji Jidai 「明治時代」means Enlightened Rule which references new advances in technology and culture after years of isolation from outside and foreign influences It’s the period of Japan’s major modernization and rising influence/world power The Meiji Era is……

3. Meiji Era… Brought about new technology/concepts…. Some positive…..

4. …..And some negative. Taxes on farmers increased due to the need for urban development which caused confusion and anger. Meiji Policies The bloody tax which demanded mandatory military service Produced some of these: Harsh working conditions for lower class citizens General mistrust of Western culture and influences Gender roles were stratified even further

5. This led to…. In 1871, the Meiji Emperor ordered that Western clothing must be worn by high officials during business hours Women would also follow this trend and wear Western clothing

6. Japanese Women And their clothing Would wear Western clothing in public and changing into traditional clothing at home Discovered that Western clothing was not suitable to Japanese living style Dresses were impractical for sitting on tatami flooring Western shoes were hard to use when following the custom of removing shoes in a building

7. Kimono Japanese women would still wear kimono Material would vary in weight, type, and design according to the seasons The cloth was cut into eight pieces The colors and design would describe a complex message system Bright colors: reserved for youth Subtle colors: reserved for more mature

8. Hair In 1872, the Emperor cut off the topknot and started to grow Western style facial hair Women would often wear Victorian hair styles with traditional kimono or a Western dress

9. Examples of Meiji Era clothing:

10. Lady in waiting Married woman Middle ranking official Royal army officer

11. Gender Roles During the Meiji Era, gender roles were redefined following more Western standards Many were outlined in the Imperial Constitution and other legal documents Women would face harder segregation compared to the Tokugawa Era

12. Meiji Constitution In 1889, the Imperial Constitution provided the definition of a “family” with father as head of household Polygamy was allowed: one husband, many wives, and all children were considered a single family unit Women, men, and children were segregated into “rigid roles” in the traditional family

13. Females in Meiji Japan The Meiji Renovation removed females from government roles and reaffirmed the power of the men Government provided programs educating women on how to be good wives In 1889, females were denied voting rights Women could not join political parties under the Law of Assembly and Political Assembly

14. An additional problem…. “The role of Japanese women also suffered an image problem of a different kind. Westerners fell in love with the stereotype of a docile, selfless, beautiful, charming and obedient sex, which failed to address the inner lives of Japanese women or their own views on the role they played in society. This kind of willful misunderstanding later followed Japanese immigrants to America and plagued relations between the two countries for a very long period of time.”

15. Just for fun… Meiji in modern times Ironically, most of the female cast did not follow the traditional female character and persona that the Meiji government encouraged. The Meiji era was the set for the popular manga, Rurouni Kenshin るろうに剣心 There is a shrine in Shibuya, Tokyo that is called the “Meiji Shrine” This was a shrine dedicated to the death of the Emperor Meiji and his wife and they were enshrined in 1920.

17. Actor Shichinosuke is credited as playing the Meiji Emperor