The Meiji Unification through the Lens of Ishikawa Prefecture (Harvard East Asian Monographs)

'Credit for the swift unification of Japan following the 1868 overthrow of the Tokugawa shogunate is usually given to the national leaders who instigated the coup and formed the new Meiji government. But is brilliant leadership at the top sufficient to explain how regional separatist tendencies and loyalties to the old lords were overcome in the formation of a nationally unified state? On the contrary, argues James C. Baxter. Though plans were drawn up by policy makers in Tokyo, the efforts of citizens all over the country were required to implement these plans and create a sense of national identity among local populations. Drawing on extensive archival resources, Baxter describes the transformation of the Tokugawa domain of Kaga into the Meiji prefecture of Ishikawa. The result is a richly detailed study that helps explain how Japan achieved national unity without the bloody struggles that have often accompanied modernization and nation-building.' THE MEIJI UNIFICATION THROUGH THE LENS OF ISHIKAWA PREFECTURE Contents ACKNOWLEDGMENTS INTRODUCTION l THE PERILS OF PRUDENCE: KAGA UNDER MAEDA NARIYASU AND MAEDA YOSHIYASU 2 A HAN IS MADE A PREFECTURE: ADMINISTRATION IN ISHIKAWA PREFECTURE, 1871–1878 The First Governor of Ishikawa Prefecture The Pro-Satsuma Faction in Kanazawa Shifting Prefectural Boundaries Building a Prefectural Bureaucracy Threats of Disorder and Other Problems Principles of Subnational Government Bureaucratic Politics under Uchida Administration and Finance in the New Prefecture Procedural Change and a Change in the Chief Officer Administration and Finance under Governor Kiriyama The Power and Prestige of the Governorship Emperor, Governor, and Former Daimyo—Symbolism and National Integration 3 SUBPREFECTURAL GOVERNMENT IN THE NEW PREFECTURE, 1871–1878 Villages under the Rule of Shogunate and Domains Subprefectural Government after 1871 The Financing of Subprefectural Government 4 HOPES FOR NATIONAL INFLUENCE AND THEIR FRUSTRATION: POLITICS IN ISHIKAWA PREFECTURE, 1872–1878 Early Expressions of Concern for the Nation The Chūkokusha: The First Political Society in Ishikawa Prefecture Conflict with High Prefectural Authority and among Ishikawa Men Discontented Fomer Samurai—The Kanazawa Shishi The Satsuma Connection—Talks with Kirino Toshiaki The Assassination of Ōkubo Toshimichi The Zankanjō 5 NATIONAL INTEGRATION COMPLETED: ISHIKAWA PREFECTURE IN THE DECADE OF THE THREE NEW LAWS The System of the Three New Laws Counties, Urban Districts, Towns, and Villages The Prefectural Assembly The Financing of Prefectural and Subprefectural Government Governors in the Three New Laws System 6. THE PRIMACY OF ECONOMIC CONCERNS: ISHIKAWA'S ACTIVISTS IN THE SECOND MEIJI DECADE Prefectural Politics Ex-Samurai in Politics and in Non-Political Ventures Non-Samurai in the Political Affairs of Ishikawa Prefecture Disregard of the Strictly Political and Disagreement over Economic Issues Civil Disorder and the Strengthening of State Control CONCLUSION Appendixes Abbreviations Used in the Notes Notes Bibliography Index Appendix I Stratification of the Maeda Retainer Corps in the Late Tokugawa Period Appendix 2 Administration and Population of Kanazawa Prefecture, 1871, and Ishikawa Prefecture, 1872–1884 Appendix 3 Budget of Ishikawa Prefecture, 1871/10–1872/9 Appendix 4 Expenditures of Ishikawa Prefecture, 1873–1874 Appendix 5 Subprefectural Districts in Ishikawa Prefecture, November 1, 1876 Appendix 6 Counties in Ishikawa Prefecture, 1878 Appendix 7 Sources of Funds Expended by Ishikawa Prefecture, 1880–1890 Appendix 8 Expenditures of Local Taxes in Ishikawa Prefecture, 1880–1890 Appendix 9 Representation in the First Ishikawa Prefectural Assembly, 1879 Appendix 10 Eligibility to Participate in Prefectural Elections, 1881 ABBREVIATIONS USED IN THE NOTES NOTES BIBLIOGRAPHY INDEX Harvard East Asian Monographs 1. The Perils Of Prudence: Kaga Under Maeda Nariyasu And Maeda Yoshiyasu -- 2. A Han Is Made A Prefecture: Administration In Ishikawa Prefecture, 1871-1878. The First Governor Of Ishikawa Prefecture. The Pro-satsuma Faction In Kanazawa. Shifting Prefectural Boundaries. Building A Prefectural Bureaucracy. Threats Of Disorder And Other Problems. Principles Of Subnational Government. Bureaucratic Politics Under Uchida. Administration And Finance In The New Prefecture. Procedural Change And A Change In The Chief Officer. Administration And Finance Under Governor Kiriyama. The Power And Prestige Of The Governorship. Emperor, Governor, And Former Daimyo -- Symbolism And National Integration -- 3. Subprefectural Government In The New Prefecture, 1871-1878. Villages Under The Rule Of Shogunate And Domains. Subprefectural Government After 1871. The Financing Of Subprefectural Government -- 4. Hopes For National Influence And Their Frustration: Politics In Ishikawa Prefecture, 1872-1878. James C. Baxter. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [335]-347) And Index. Credit for the swift unification of Japan following the 1868 overthrow of the Tokugawa shogunate is usually given to the national leaders. Baxter argues that brilliant leadership at the top is not sufficient to explain how regional separatist tendencies and loyalties to the old lords were overcome in the formation of a nationally unified state.