The day when the Emperor of Japan ate meat. The “imperial banquets” as political constructions during the Meiji era

This article investigates the mutations of the material culture of Japan’s imperial court during the Meiji period entailed by the introduction of meat diet to the imperial table and western cuisine to the Palace, as prominent symbols of the transformation of the sovereign’s public image. By embodying the rules of etiquette governing the western table, Japan seeks to align with european courts and to be treated as a “civilized country” as well. At the same time, imperial banquets appear to be a political asset and ritual to consolidate the solidarity of the political elites around the throne and to bring also a broader access of foreigners to the emperor, an issue which might be contentious among conservative circles.