1873 jp - 1891 japanese 1 sen dragon coin. authentic meiji restoration era japan coinage. comes with certificate of authenticity. 1 sen circulated graded by seller  meiji restoration (明治維新 meiji ishin), known contemporaneously as the honorable restoration (御一新 goisshin), and also known as the meiji renovation, revolution, reform, or renewal, was an event that restored practical imperial rule to the empire of japan in 1868 under emperor meiji. although there were ruling emperors before the meiji restoration, the events restored practical abilities and consolidated the political system under the emperor of japan.[2] the goals of the restored government were expressed by the new emperor in the charter oath. the restoration led to enormous changes in japan's political and social structure and spanned both the late edo period (often called the bakumatsu) and the beginning of the meiji period. during the restoration, japan rapidly industrialized and adopted western ideas and production methods.