I'm just wondering what occupations the samurai class took up after the Meiji Restoration. I know the daimyo were asked to become each prefecture's first governors (correct my if I'm wrong), but what about their retainers? Were some jobs beneath them? Did some of them become doctors or merchants? Did some of them start becoming other professions before the Restoration?
The new Empire of Japan realized the danger the Samurai posed, since they were really the only armed and trained force in the country. There were Samurai rebellions after the Meji restoration, most notably the Satsuma rebellion. The Samurai were stripped of their privileged class, but their traditions were retained and they were paid a salary by the state. However, slowly the Samurai's remaining privileges were taken away. They could no longer wield swords, execute peasants who disrespected them, etc. Many Samurai became the nation's first army officers and staff officers. Thought interestingly because of the Samurai's educated status, many also became government bureaucrats. Many traces of Samurai culture were removed after World War II.
Sources: Japan's Imperial Army: Edward Drea
Brief History of the Samurai by Mark Mcgee (found here:http://www-personal.umich.edu/~malokofs/SCA/Persona/History/samurai.html)
The Meji Restoration by William Beasley
One of the major parts of the Meiji restoration was the near complete destruction of both the samurai and daimyo classes. Some samurai attempted to rebel, but they were quickly defeated using Western weapons. Samurai lost power slowly, with many special privileges being revoked, and given government bonds as appeasement. However, these bonds quickly became worthless.
Source: Traditions and Encounters, by Bentley and Zeigler.