THE ROLE OF THE IMAGE OF THE EMPRESS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF FEMALE IDENTITY IN JAPAN AT THE END OF THE XIX–XX CENTURIES

This article is an attempt to trace the cultural policy of the empresses of the late XIX–XX centuries, who played their own, albeit shadowy role, in the modernization of the country and changing the position and self-consciousness of women in Japan. Given the growth of women’s self-awareness in the modern world, this topic seems relevant and largely reflects the gender problems of Japanese society. In the conditions of the strict policy of the monarchical state and the centuries-old tradition of patriarchal society, the issue of women’s identity has nevertheless been repeatedly raised and is being raised in the intellectual part of Japanese society. The author sets the task to trace how during the XX century, with the gradual change in the social and labor status of women, their self-consciousness changed. The focus of attention is on the image of the empresses, which life and activity fell on this period. Each of them, being within the strict framework of the imperial house system, contributed to the development of their country. The question of how much they were able to realize their abilities and their potential remains key. The article uses methods of analysis and synthesis, which make it possible to work out and see how the influence of the Empress could change the traditional model of Japanese society and whether it is possible in these cultural and historical conditions. Based on the historical and cultural context and revealing the specifics of the Japanese imperial house, the author examines the process of changing the women’s issue using the example of four first ladies of the country. The image of the Empress becomes an important factor that influenced the specifics of the development of female identity in Japan.