일본 대중출판물에 나타난 메이지유신의 재인식 문제

The Images of Meiji Restoration reflected in the Japanese mass publications

This study describes the characteristics of the Meiji Restoration in the mass media published during the 150th anniversary of the Meiji Restoration. First, regarding the tendency of specialized research on the Meiji Restoration, 1) empirical research trends reveal or complement new facts in detail inexisting studies, 2) through diplomatic studies from the end of the Edo period to the beginning of the Meiji period, Western military pressure was not overwhelming and Japan s subordination to the West was limited to economic and trade relations, and 3) the tendency in research to overcome the historical view of the restoration of Imperial Rule by means of task-oriented descriptions such as “justice” and “public opinion” in Meiji Restoration studies are found. Next, the characteristics of the Meiji Restoration in the mass media can be summarized as follows. First, this includes the following contents: the criticism of the National Revolutionary Restoration and the Emperor s Restoration, and correcting the incorrect facts regarding Saigo Takamori, who became established as a national hero; the positive evaluation of the Tokugawa shogunate and the attempted lottery in the Edo period and the Tokugawa shogunate; and details of the atrocities committed by the government troops during the Boshin War. Secondly, in the course of the government s suppression of the northeast region, arson, murder, rape, and plunder were carried out in various places which were strongly linked to various atrocities committed by the Imperial Japanese forces during overseas invasions. Finally, as seen in Kinmon no hen (Conspiracy of Kinmon) in July 1864 and the attempt to capture the case for the Emperor s announcement record of Japan s surrender in August 1945, Bushi (武士) and soldiers had a loyalty to the cause of the Emperor as long as the Emperor s actions were consistent with their purposes, but bushi and soldiers turned into “rebels” when the emperor no longer served their purpose.