Changes

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.

Following the private Imperial rites conducted deep within the Palace, and the Throne Room ceremony restricted to nobles, officials, and reporters, a third stage of the day's events brought the Emperor and the celebration out into the city, where it was visible and accessible to the broader public. A stately procession emerged from the palace's Main Gate (''seimon''), crossing over Nijûbashi and through the main palace plaza, and made its way through some of the city's newly-built grand thoroughfares, to arrive at the Aoyama Military Parade Field as its final destination. They were met, or witnessed, by five thousand schoolchildren and university students, chosen and arranged by the [[Ministry of Education]] in the palace plaza and along the sides of the streets. In accordance with specific instructions given to them for their participation in welcoming the parade, university students shouted "Banzai!" while students from the Upper Girls' School sang a ''kigensetsu'' song, and elementary school students chanted ''[[Kimi ga yo]]''.

Following the private Imperial rites conducted deep within the Palace, and the Throne Room ceremony restricted to nobles, officials, and reporters, a third stage of the day's events brought the Emperor and the celebration out into the city, where it was visible and accessible to the broader public. A stately procession emerged from the palace's Main Gate (''seimon''), crossing over Nijûbashi and through the main palace plaza, and made its way through some of the city's newly-built grand thoroughfares, to arrive at the Aoyama Military Parade Field as its final destination. They were met, or witnessed, by five thousand schoolchildren and university students, chosen and arranged by the [[Ministry of Education]] in the palace plaza and along the sides of the streets. In accordance with specific instructions given to them for their participation in welcoming the parade, university students shouted "Banzai!"<ref>While scholars disagree on the origins of the term, and of its use to refer to the emperor, the realm, or others (such as the shogun or shogunate), its widespread popular use, chanted by crowds gathered to see the emperor, likely begins with the Promulgation celebrations. Many Meiji period contemporaries wrote that the term originated in emulation of European practices, and in [[1905]], there was even a dispute between students of [[Tokyo Imperial University]] and the Upper Normal School as to which school invented the chant. Fujitani, 165-166, 273n26.</ref> while students from the Upper Girls' School sang a ''kigensetsu'' song, and elementary school students chanted ''[[Kimi ga yo]]''.

The Imperial "stage ceremonial cortege" (''kokugishiki robo'') was arranged with the Emperor at the center, preceded by members of the Imperial family and officials of the [[Imperial Household Ministry]]; the emperor was followed by the top ministers of state, in a manner which represented the division of Constitutional Government and Imperial Household, and a pattern of diminishing power as one was placed farther from the Emperor.

The Imperial "stage ceremonial cortege" (''kokugishiki robo'') was arranged with the Emperor at the center, preceded by members of the Imperial family and officials of the [[Imperial Household Ministry]]; the emperor was followed by the top ministers of state, in a manner which represented the legal division of Constitutional Government and Imperial Household,<ref>The Imperial family was not subject to the Constitution, but rather to the [[Imperial House Law]].</ref> and a pattern of diminishing power as one was placed farther from the Emperor. The Emperor and Empress were visible within an English-style horse-drawn carriage, decorated with [[chrysanthemum]] crests, and topped by a golden phoenix ornament like that which would have topped the Imperial palanquin in earlier times.

 

 

On the following day, February 12, 1889, the Imperial cortege made its way through the city once again, in response to a request by the governor of Tokyo, who expressed the great popular demand for such a procession. The cortege took a different route this time, however, departing the palace via the Sakuradamon as the previous day, but then turning to cross [[Shinbashi]], parading to [[Ueno Park]] past numerous signs, lanterns, banners, national flags, and ceremonial arches erected by corporations and popular organizations. Popular celebrations of various sorts, including parade floats and massive decorative arches featuring nationalist slogans and lit by electric lights, continued for some time, while the Emperor returned to the palace.

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==References==

==References==

*Takashi Fujitani, ''Splendid Monarchy'', University of California Press (1996), 107-.

*Takashi Fujitani, ''Splendid Monarchy'', University of California Press (1996), 107-111.

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[[Category:Meiji Period]]

[[Category:Meiji Period]]

[[Category:Events and Incidents]]

[[Category:Events and Incidents]]