Taisho

Taisho refers to a period in Japanese history, known as the Taisho era, which lasted from 1912 to 1926 during the reign of Emperor Taishō (Yoshihito). The era name 大正 is traditionally interpreted as meaning “great justice” or “great propriety.” It followed the Meiji Restoration and preceded the Showa era.

Politically, the Taisho era is often described as a time of relative liberalization within the framework of the modern Japanese state. It saw increased influence of elected representatives and political parties, a development sometimes called Taisho democracy. Yet real power remained with the oligarchic genro and the imperial bureaucracy, and tensions between progressives and more conservative forces persisted.

Japan’s international role expanded during World War I, when it aligned with the Allies and sought greater influence in Asia. In 1915 it pressed the Twenty-One Demands on China, and in 1919 participated in the Paris Peace Conference, seeking a stronger regional position. Domestically, the era faced social change, urbanization, and debates over suffrage. The 1923 Great Kantō earthquake devastated Tokyo and surrounding areas, accelerating modernization efforts. In 1925, the General Election Law expanded male suffrage, marking a milestone in Japanese electoral politics.

Culturally, the Taisho era fostered cosmopolitanism and experimentation. Cities like Tokyo and Osaka became centers for new media, literature, film, and fashion, contributing to a more modern, urban culture often described as Taisho democracy or Taisho romanticism.

The period ended with Emperor Taishō’s death in 1926, and the Showa era began under his son Hirohito. The Taisho period is remembered for its blend of liberal ideas, cultural innovation, and the political tensions that would later shape Japan’s trajectory.