The End of Nambu Clan (2)

In 1867, the last Shogun, Tokugawa Yoshinobu, declared the transformation of the power back to the emperor. In 1868 the imperial era name was changed from Keio to Meiji. In 1869, all the domain lords nominally offered the return of their land and people to the emperor. In 1871, abolition of clans and establishment of prefectures was forced through, and the domain system was abolished. Nambu clan's ruling of their domain was effectively ended as with those of other clans as the result of Meiji Restoration. That was one of the processes of Japanese centralization. A thirdand five centuries had passed since Moroyuki's death in 1338. In other words, Nambu clan had kept Moroyuki's dream to establish an independent state in Mutsu, although