Western Influence
I. Deliberative assemblies shall be widely established and all matters decided by public discussion.
II. All classes, high and low, shall unite in vigorously carrying out the administration of affairs of state.
III. The common people, no less than the civil and military officials, shall each be allowed to pursue his own calling so that there may be no discontent.
IV. Evil customs of the past shall be broken off and everything based upon the just laws of Nature.
V. Knowledge shall be sought throughout the world so as to strengthen the foundations of Imperial rule.
- Charter Oath of 1868
In 1868, the Charter Oath was issued in the name of the Meiji Emperor (who was only 15 at the time). It was written by the leaders of the new Meiji government. It held the ideals of a nation free from some of the more restricting aspects of Japanese tradition. This marked the Meiji Restoration as vastly different from any other time in Japan's history prior to this time.
ARTICLE XXXIII. The Imperial Diet shall consist of two Houses, a House of Peers and a House of Representatives.
ARTICLE XXXIV. The House of Peers shall, in accordance with the Ordinance concerning the House of Peers, be composed of the members of the Imperial Family, of the orders of nobility, and of those persons who have been nominated thereto by the Emperor.
ARTICLE XXXV. The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members elected by the people, according to the provisions of the Law of Election.
- Meiji Constitution
The Constitution was created by Itō
Hirobumi and other members of the Meiji government. The Constitution took many principles and ideas and put them together in such a way that the emperor nearly absolute power, and yet still allowed for democratic establishments.
The influence that Western civilization had on the incredibly traditional nation of Japan is clearly evidenced in artwork created during the Meiji Restoration. Important figures, such as those of the Emperor and his family, are depicted wearing Western style clothing. The Emperor is also seen outside of the castle in the new seat of power--Tokyo. In "Looking Outside – Now and Ancient Times", the right side shows the ancient Japanese people looking out into the water, where a traditional boat is seen. The left side of the painting shows the people during the Meiji Restoration looking out to the water below, and seeing the technologically advanced steamship.