Hankuni

Hankuni (版国) refers to the political system implemented in Japan during the early Meiji Restoration, specifically between 1869 and 1871. It translates roughly to "domains and countries" or "domains and provinces." This system aimed to reorganize the fragmented feudal domains (han) under the control of the central government.

The Hankuni system involved the Daimyo (feudal lords) formally returning their lands (the han) to the Emperor in a symbolic gesture known as hanseki hōkan (版籍奉還), meaning "returning the registers of lands and people." This was followed by the appointment of the former Daimyo as governors of their respective territories, now known as prefectures (ken). While initially appearing to maintain the Daimyo's power, they were now effectively government officials, paid salaries and subject to central government oversight.

The ultimate goal of the Hankuni system was centralization of power and the dismantling of the feudal system. It was a transitional phase leading to the abolition of the domains system entirely with the implementation of the prefecture system (haihan chiken 廃藩置県) in 1871. This final step replaced the appointed Daimyo governors with centrally appointed prefectural governors, consolidating administrative control under the Meiji government. The Hankuni system therefore served as a crucial stepping stone in modernizing Japan and creating a unified nation-state.