Abstract
In 1786 Emperor Kokaku (1771-1840) observed 7th century ekirei bells which had been handed down and preserved in Oki Province (Islands). Ekirei (lit, station bell) is a bell provided by the Imperial Court to government officials who traveled on official business under the ritsuryosystem of ancient Japan, and worked as a symbol to virtually connect the Emperors and the provinces.This lead to Kokaku’srealization that Japan had a longand continuous history that stretched from 7th century.In 1788 his Imperial palace in Kyoto was burned down andthe new palace was built in the ancient style.A ceremony was held on the 22nd of November, 1790, to mark the move to the new palace and the procession was carried out in an ancient style, along with the use of Oki ekireis during the ceremony.Today, it is understood that Emperor Kokaku fostered restorationism, and founded the movement to return Japan to society ruled by the Imperial court and the Emperor rather than the shogunate. However, the change can (and should) not be simply explained as one of “inevitabilities of history” nor a “necessity of the time”.It was Oki Ekirei, connecting ancient times to that of the Emperor Kokaku, which changed his mindset and view of the world, history and state.
