What did the Meiji reformers seek to retain despite their quest for modernization?

The Meiji reformers in Japan, during the Meiji era (1868-1912), were focused on a significant transformation of Japanese society through modernization and Westernization. However, despite their quest to remake Japan into a modern industrialized nation, they aimed to retain Japan's imperial institution with the Emperor at its center.

The Meiji reformers believed that in order to compete with Western powers, it was crucial to adapt Western technology, military strategies, educational systems, and political institutions. They introduced a new constitution, established parliamentary institutions, and reformed the military, education, and industry, drawing heavily on European models.

While they looked to the West for practical methods and systems, they strongly believed in preserving the Japanese national identity, culture, and traditions. The key aspects they sought to retain included:

1. The Emperor: They restored political power to the Emperor, initiating the Meiji Restoration. The Emperor was to symbolize the unity and continuity of Japan, and the Meiji Constitution made him the embodiment of the state.

2. Shinto Religion: The reformers placed the native Shinto religion, which emphasized loyalty to the Emperor and Japan itself, as the state religion; Christianity, despite growing in Japan during this period, was not promoted at the level of Shinto beliefs.

3. Social Values: They maintained many traditional social values such as loyalty, filial piety, and social harmony, but reinterpreted some in a modern context, emphasizing their compatibility with the new order.

4. Japanese Aesthetics: The reformers adopted Western dress and architecture for official purposes but continued to appreciate and maintain traditional Japanese arts, crafts, festivals, and ceremonies.

Throughout the Meiji period, the primary tension in Japanese society was balancing the desire for modernization with the need to preserve a distinct Japanese identity. The Meiji reformers' efforts led to the creation of a unique modern state that retained a strong sense of cultural and historical continuity