Kogisho

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The Kōgisho ( Japanese 公議 所 , House of Representatives or House of Representatives) was a Japanese parliament during the Meiji Restoration . Although it only existed for a little longer than a year after it opened on April 18, 1869 and its members were not elected but sent, it was the first Western-style assembly in Japan and acted as a guide for social modernization.

Development and importance

One representative was sent from each Han and each agency of the new Meiji government. The chairman was Akizuki Tanetatsu from Takanabe . Mori Arinori from Satsuma became his deputy, as did Kanda Takahira . Parliament had the right to introduce bills. Advice was given in 19 committees. A legislative period of four years was planned, with half of the MPs being replaced every two years.

The enlightenment reforms that emanated from the Kōgisho included the abolition of the old symbols of the samurai class, the ban on seppuku and the wearing of swords, the abolition of legal discrimination against the Eta and Hinin , measures that the gathering in modern historiography took have earned a high reputation.

The revolutionary and enlightening ideas, which were given an independent and influential voice for the first time by the MP, soon became too dangerous for the Meiji government. Parliament's rights were curtailed, and on August 15, 1869 , it was renamed Shūgiin ( 集 議院 ). In 1871 there were no more meetings. In August of that year it was subordinated to the Sain and dissolved in June 1873.

Kōgisho of the Shogunate faithful

A year earlier there was another assembly in Japan called Kōgisho: In Shiroishi Castle , the headquarters of the Ōuetsu Reppan Dōmei , the alliance of the Shogunate in the Boshin War , a council of representatives of various Han was held under this name.

Remarks

  1. ↑ 明治 2 年 3 月 7 日 according to the old Japanese calendar
  2. ↑ 明治 2 年 7 月 8 日 according to the old Japanese calendar
  3. ↑ not to be confused with the same pronounced today's Japanese lower house ( 衆議院 shūgiin )

Legal texts (sources)

Opening of Parliament:

Wikisource: 公議 所 ヲ 置 キ 明春 ヨ リ 開 議 セ シ ム  - Sources and full texts (Japanese)
Wikisource: 公議 所 開 議 ヲ 令 ス  - Sources and full texts (Japanese)

Renaming to Shūgiin:

Wikisource: 公議 所 ヲ 集 議院 ト 改称  - Sources and full texts (Japanese)

swell

  • 公議 所 日誌 in: 幕末 明治 日誌 集成 / 朝 倉 治 彦 編 Tokyo 1986. ISBN 4-490-30231-2 .