Changes

One year after the [[Meiji Restoration]] of [[1868]], the social classes were reorganized. ''Daimyô'' and [[kuge|court nobles]] became ''[[kazoku]]'', a new European-style peerage or aristocracy, with titles such as Baron and Marquis. Many of these former ''daimyô'' were appointed governors of their ''han'', remaining in place but within a new governmental system - no longer semi-independent lords of their territories, they were now government officials appointed by and working for the center. Through their membership in the ''kazoku'' and their appointment as governors, most ''daimyô'' saw no loss of prestige, status, or wealth.

One year after the [[Meiji Restoration]] of [[1868]], the social classes were reorganized. ''Daimyô'' and [[kuge|court nobles]] became ''[[kazoku]]'', a new European-style peerage or aristocracy, with titles such as Baron and Marquis. Many of these former ''daimyô'' were appointed governors of their ''han'', remaining in place but within a new governmental system - no longer semi-independent lords of their territories, they were now government officials appointed by and working for the center. Through their membership in the ''kazoku'' and their appointment as governors, most ''daimyô'' saw no loss of prestige, status, or wealth.

Many ''han'', however, had their borders redrawn, with new ''han'' still being created as late as 1870 (and at least one, [[Ryukyu han|Ryûkyû han]], created as late as [[1872]]). As many as 25 new ''han'' were established in the [[Meiji period]].

Many ''han'', however, had their borders redrawn, with new ''han'' still being created as late as 1870 (and at least one, [[Ryukyu han|Ryûkyû han]], created as late as [[1872]]). As many as 25 new ''han'' were established in the [[Meiji period]]. Meanwhile, as early as [[1868]]/6, shogunal lands, ''[[hatamoto]]'' lands, and some of the smaller domains were consolidated into new geopolitical entities known as ''ken'' and ''fu'', the terms being taken from [[Nara period|Nara]] or [[Heian period]] political territorial designations. Thus, while most of the larger ''han'' were allowed to stay in place, the remaining lands were already being reorganized into prefectures.<ref>Ravina, 33.</ref>

Ironically, though the Meiji government itself, and to a large extent historians today, look at the maintenance of the ''han'' into these first years of the Meiji period as a continuation, in some respects, of what existed under the Tokugawa, in fact the word ''han'' itself only came into widespread official use at this time. Prior to the Meiji Restoration, the domains were commonly referred to using a variety of other terms, including ''kuni'', ''ryô'', ''shiryô'', and ''ryôbun''.

Ironically, though the Meiji government itself, and to a large extent historians today, look at the maintenance of the ''han'' into these first years of the Meiji period as a continuation, in some respects, of what existed under the Tokugawa, in fact the word ''han'' itself only came into widespread official use at this time. Prior to the Meiji Restoration, the domains were commonly referred to using a variety of other terms, including ''kuni'', ''ryô'', ''shiryô'', and ''ryôbun''. The term ''han'', deriving from classical Chinese references to military investitures under the Chinese emperor, had been used before by [[Arai Hakuseki]] to emphasize the subordination of the domains under the shogunate, and was now put into official use to emphasize their subordination under the Imperial government. While ''daimyô'' and domain officials used a variety of terms during the Edo period to emphasize their own power, legitimacy, or autonomy, ''han'' was always one which implied subordination.<ref>Ravina, 28.</ref>

A number of possible avenues of reform were discussed, in hopes of addressing the crippling debt the domains had accumulated. In just the previous several years, between 1868 to 1871, domains on average spent 115% of their revenues each year; in other words, they were 15% over-budget. Roughly 35% of all domains, and 25% of domains over 100,000 ''[[kokudaka|koku]]'', were in debt equal to at least one full year's revenues. On 1870/9/10, the ''[[shugiin|Shûgiin]]'' instituted a series of restrictions on spending, limiting each domain's spending on stipends to 82% of its budget, with 9% spent on arms and defenses. ''Han'' governors still retained considerable authority, however, over how to assign stipends.

A number of possible avenues of reform were discussed, in hopes of addressing the crippling debt the domains had accumulated. In just the previous several years, between 1868 to 1871, domains on average spent 115% of their revenues each year; in other words, they were 15% over-budget. Roughly 35% of all domains, and 25% of domains over 100,000 ''[[kokudaka|koku]]'', were in debt equal to at least one full year's revenues. On 1870/9/10, the ''[[shugiin|Shûgiin]]'' instituted a series of restrictions on spending, limiting each domain's spending on stipends to 82% of its budget, with 9% spent on arms and defenses. ''Han'' governors still retained considerable authority, however, over how to assign stipends.