1.
Japans Meiji Era A Womans Change

2. Meiji Era
The 45 year period where the Meiji Emperor reigned (Oct. 23rd 1868 July 30th 1912)
Meiji Jidai means Enlightened Rule which references new advances in technology and culture after years of isolation from outside and foreign influences
Its the period of Japans 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
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.

16. And the most well known.
The Last Samurai

• Took place during the Meiji era in the year 1876
• 17. Actor Shichinosuke is credited as playing the Meiji Emperor
• 18. The movie depicts the similar desire and eagerness of the emperor to import as many Western technologies and practices in order to modernize Japan