Changes

While it is the more modern-style, secular national ceremony which is most familiar and associated with the Promulgation of the Constitution, and most widely reproduced in ''[[ukiyo-e]]'' prints and newspaper images from the time, the ceremonies associated with the promulgation were intimately intertwined with [[State Shinto]] and Emperor-centered ritual, and began with a set of very private rites performed by the Emperor alone and invented to evoke the idea of a continuation of ancient Imperial tradition. These rites began at the ''kashiko dokoro'' (賢所) in the innermost sanctuaries of the [[Tokyo Imperial Palace]], where the [[Meiji Emperor]], dressed in ceremonial robes of a classical style, made an offering of a sacred sprig. He also made a vow to [[Amaterasu]], to uphold the foundational laws of the new State, and to maintain the Imperial institution and lineage. After repeating these oaths to his imperial ancestors at the ''kôreiden'', he paid worship to a variety of ''[[kami]]'' enshrined at the palace's ''shinden''.

While it is the more modern-style, secular national ceremony which is most familiar and associated with the Promulgation of the Constitution, and most widely reproduced in ''[[ukiyo-e]]'' prints and newspaper images from the time, the ceremonies associated with the promulgation were intimately intertwined with [[State Shinto]] and Emperor-centered ritual, and began with a set of very private rites performed by the Emperor alone and invented to evoke the idea of a continuation of ancient Imperial tradition. These rites began at the ''kashiko dokoro'' (賢所) in the innermost sanctuaries of the [[Tokyo Imperial Palace]], where the [[Meiji Emperor]], dressed in ceremonial robes of a classical style, made an offering of a sacred sprig. He also made a vow to [[Amaterasu]], to uphold the foundational laws of the new State, and to maintain the Imperial institution and lineage. After repeating these oaths to his imperial ancestors at the ''kôreiden'', he paid worship to a variety of ''[[kami]]'' enshrined at the palace's ''shinden''.

The Emperor then changed into modern ceremonial military uniform, and made his way to the new Throne Room, patterned after a European hall in its furnishing, design, and ornamentation. There, in a ceremony widely reproduced in vividly colored ''[[ukiyo-e]]'' prints, the Emperor read out a formal Imperial Speech on the Promulgation of the Constitution, and handed a copy of the Constitution itself to [[Prime Minister]] [[Kuroda Kiyotaka]], symbolizing or performing the idea that the Constitution was being bestowed upon the people as a gift of Imperial benevolence. As the Emperor did so, he was flanked by two of the [[Imperial Regalia]]<ref>The Sacred Sword [[Kusanagi no tsurugi]] and the Sacred Jewel [[Yasakani no magatama]].</ref> and surrounded by many of the top ministers of state and Imperial Princes and Princesses. Others in attendance included members of the newly-formed European-style Japanese [[kazoku|peerage]] (aristocracy), the chief ministers of government, governors of the various [[prefectures of Japan]], foreign diplomats, and reporters for ten Tokyo-based newspapers, five provincial Japanese newspapers, and three English-language papers.

The Emperor then changed into modern ceremonial military uniform, and made his way to the new Throne Room, patterned after a European hall in its furnishing, design, and ornamentation. There, in a ceremony widely reproduced in vividly colored ''[[ukiyo-e]]'' prints, the Emperor read out a formal Imperial Speech on the Promulgation of the Constitution, and handed a copy of the Constitution itself to [[Prime Minister]] [[Kuroda Kiyotaka]], symbolizing or performing the idea that the Constitution was being bestowed upon the people as a gift of Imperial benevolence. As the Emperor did so, he was flanked by two of the [[Imperial Regalia]]<ref>The Sacred Sword [[Kusanagi no tsurugi]] and the Sacred Jewel [[Yasakani no magatama]].</ref> and surrounded by Imperial Princes, Princesses, the Empress, and other members of the Imperial family. Members of the newly-formed European-style Japanese [[kazoku|peerage]] (aristocracy), the chief ministers of government, governors of the various [[prefectures of Japan]] and heads of the prefectural assemblies (legislatures), foreign diplomats, and reporters for ten Tokyo-based newspapers, five provincial Japanese newspapers, and three English-language papers.

In the meantime, Imperial messengers reported the news of the constitutional promulgation to the gods at [[Ise Shrine]], and to Imperial ancestors and the spirits of national heroes at [[Yasukuni Shrine]] and at the graves of Emperor Jimmu, [[Emperor Komei|Emperor Kômei]], [[Iwakura Tomomi]], [[Kido Takayoshi]], and [[Okubo Toshimichi|Ôkubo Toshimichi]]. Similar reports were also made by the governors of each [[prefectures of Japan|prefecture]] at ''[[kankoku heisha]]'' (central government [[Shinto shrines]]) throughout the realm.

In the meantime, Imperial messengers reported the news of the constitutional promulgation to the gods at [[Ise Shrine]], and to Imperial ancestors and the spirits of national heroes at [[Yasukuni Shrine]] and at the graves of Emperor Jimmu, [[Emperor Komei|Emperor Kômei]], [[Iwakura Tomomi]], [[Kido Takayoshi]], and [[Okubo Toshimichi|Ôkubo Toshimichi]]. Similar reports were also made by the governors of each [[prefectures of Japan|prefecture]] at ''[[kankoku heisha]]'' (central government [[Shinto shrines]]) throughout the realm.