Changes

*''Date: 30 April [[1906]]''

*''Date: 30 April [[1906]]''

The Triumphal Military Review of April [[1906]] was by no means the first formal military review conducted by the [[Meiji Emperor]]; such events were conducted numerous times beginning in [[1872]], and in one particularly grand event, some six months prior to that April, the Emperor had surveyed over two hundred warships of the [[Imperial Japanese Navy]] as they sat anchored in Tokyo Bay.<ref>The first formal naval inspection performed by the emperor took place in [[1868]], at what is now Tenpôzan Park in Osaka. Sue Henny and Jean-Pierre Lehmann, ''Themes and Theories in Modern Japanese History: Essays in Memory of Richard Storry'', A&C Black (2013), 172.</ref> Historian [[Takashi Fujitani]] argues, however, that the Triumphal Military Review of April 1906 is of particular significance in the development of national(istic) ceremony of the Meiji state, and in the development of a popular vision of the Emperor as associated with military strength, and as one who watches over the Empire in the sense of literally seeing, surveying, all within his domain.

The Triumphal Military Review of April [[1906]] was by no means the first formal military review conducted by the [[Meiji Emperor]]; such events were conducted numerous times beginning in [[1872]],<ref>Including twenty-two times at Aoyama, conducted either on Army Commencement Day (''rikugun hajime'') in January, or the Emperor's Birthday (Nov 3) each year.</ref> and in one particularly grand event, some six months prior to that April, the Emperor had surveyed over two hundred warships of the [[Imperial Japanese Navy]] as they sat anchored in Tokyo Bay.<ref>The first formal naval inspection performed by the emperor took place in [[1868]], at what is now Tenpôzan Park in Osaka. Sue Henny and Jean-Pierre Lehmann, ''Themes and Theories in Modern Japanese History: Essays in Memory of Richard Storry'', A&C Black (2013), 172.</ref> Historian [[Takashi Fujitani]] argues, however, that the Triumphal Military Review of April 1906 is of particular significance in the development of national(istic) ceremony of the Meiji state, and in the development of a popular vision of the Emperor as associated with military strength, and as one who watches over the Empire in the sense of literally seeing, surveying, all within his domain.

The main plaza in front of the main gate and Nijûbashi at the [[Tokyo Imperial Palace]] was expanded in preparation for this event. The Babasakimon palace gate was torn down, and sections of the outer moats filled in, to expand the plaza and make it easier for both official processions, and paradegoers (members of the public) to move in and out of the plaza.<ref>Dangerous bottlenecks had formed at the Babasakimon and Sakuradamon during celebrations in [[1889]] and [[1895]], leading to the death of at least one member of the public during the latter event.</ref> New plaza entrances were constructed at Babasaki and Hibiya, and both were fitted with temporary but immense triumphal arches for the occasion. The two were 18.5 and 15 meters high, respectively, and were lit with electric lights for six days, beginning on April 30.

The main plaza in front of the main gate and Nijûbashi at the [[Tokyo Imperial Palace]] was expanded in preparation for this event. The Babasakimon palace gate was torn down, and sections of the outer moats filled in, to expand the plaza and make it easier for both official processions, and paradegoers (members of the public) to move in and out of the plaza.<ref>Dangerous bottlenecks had formed at the Babasakimon and Sakuradamon during celebrations in [[1889]] and [[1895]], leading to the death of at least one member of the public during the latter event.</ref> New plaza entrances were constructed at Babasaki and Hibiya, and both were fitted with temporary but immense triumphal arches for the occasion. The two were 18.5 and 15 meters high, respectively, and were lit with electric lights for six days, beginning on April 30.