I'm trying to track the role of the Emperor and allegiance to the Imperial family over Japan's period of modernisation. I understand that one of the ideals of Meiji revolutionaries was to reinstate the Emperor (and they stormed his palace to demand his support?) - but where does this desire come from and what did they think this would result in?
I summarized the position of the emperor (and his court) between the Kamakura and the early Edo here. Please give it a read.