Hermann Roesler and the Making of the Meiji State

That Imperial Japan closely resembled authoritarian Germany was no simple coincidence. This book explores the effect of German thought on nineteenth century Japan, focusing on Hermann Roeslerthe most influential collaborator. The Meiji leadership was committed to an authoritarian form of government. At the same time it was also clearly committed to a constitutional system. The mid and late 1880's saw the efforts of Japan's most capable leaders directed to the formation and rationalization of thi