Document 2: Kyōto Prefectural Directive

This document, issued during the same first month of 1872 as Document one, establishes that Suzuki Gentoku is under the authority of Kyōto Prefectural administration. Kyōto Prefecture remains the governing institution of Kyōto and its environs to this day. These changes followed the abolishment of many of the old domains within Japan in 1871. Most of Japan’s districts were known as ken, but the urban centers of Kyōto, Tōkyō and Ōsaka were described instead as fu, which meant that they were central regions of administration.

　鈴木元徳

當府貫屬

申付候事

壬申

　 正月

　 京都府

Suzuki Gentoku

You are now under the authority of this prefecture (fu).

First month, Mizu no esaru (1872)

Kyōto prefecture (fu)