ABSTRACT
In the fall of 1868, the era named Meiji was proclaimed. Edo, renamed Tokyo, was designated as the new seat of government. In the following spring the emperor moved into the former Edo Castle. Thus commenced the Meiji era, which was to last until 1912. From the outset of the Meiji era, men like Kido were convinced that it was imperative to compel the daimyo to return their domains to the emperor just as the shogun had done. At the time of the Meiji Restoration some traditional scholars hoped to make Confucianism or Shinto the basis of learning. In order to replace the han with prefectural governments under the direct control of the central government, the Meiji leaders needed the cooperation of the most troublesome han, Satsuma. The daimyo had relinquished their authority to the imperial government, however, the Meiji leaders proceeded to eliminate han government entirely by replacing the han with prefectures.
