Theory of the Union of the Imperial Court and the Shogunate

Japanese: 公武合体論 - こうぶがったいろん

One of the domestic political ideas at the end of the Edo period. The idea was to build a political system that could deal with foreign enemies by promoting cooperation between the Imperial Court (public) and the Shogunate (military). Although the idea was widely accepted, in reality the positions and interests of those involved became complicated and it ultimately did not become an effective solution. The approach to Japan by European and American countries, which began with the arrival of Perry, made the establishment of a national system an urgent domestic issue. However, the Shogunate, which held power over national politics, revealed the limits of its leadership, and conversely, the Imperial Court, which had only been the highest ceremonial authority, was elevating its status to a political one.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

江戸時代末の国内政治構想の一つ。朝廷(公)と幕府(武)との協力をはかり，これによって政局の混乱をおさめ外敵に対処しうる政治体制を作り上げようとする考え。広く受け入れられた構想であったが，現実にはそれによる者たちの立場や利害が複雑にからみあい，ついに有効な打開策とはならなかった。　ペリーの来航に始まる欧米各国の対日接近は，挙国体制の確立を国内緊急の課題とした。だが，全国政治の権を握る幕府はその指導力の限界をあらわにし，逆に儀礼上の最高権威にすぎなかった朝廷がその地位を政治的なものに高めていた。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

<<: Kofu duty

>>: Kofukai - Kofukai