1897
Meiji 30 (明治三十年)
Timeline of 1897
- 1897/11/1 Juye Incident in China - Bandits kill two German missionaries, sparking the beginning of a Scramble for Concessions, as Germany (in retaliation), and then Russia, Britain, France, and Japan (seeking to not lose out to Germany), seize territories or otherwise establish spheres of influence in China.
Other Events of 1897
- John La Farge publishes his An Artist's Letters from Japan.
- Kabuki is filmed for the first time.
- Mutsu Hirokichi returns to Japan from appointment in Washington.
- Inabatake Katsutarô introduces the cinematograph to Japan.
- Okakura Kakuzô leaves the Tokyo School of Fine Arts amid scandal.
- The Old Shrines and Temples Preservation Act is enacted.
- "Mainland" legal system is extended to Okinawa prefecture.
- Former Shogun Tokugawa Yoshinobu moves to Tokyo.
- Torii Ryûzô visits Okinawa for the first time, to investigate local customs.
Births and Deaths
- Gotô Shôjirô dies (b. 1838).
- Mutsu Munemitsu dies (b. 1844).
- Nakajima Nobori dies (b. 1838).
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