The "Four Emperors" refers to a significant event in Japanese history that occurred in 1868 during the Meiji Restoration. This period marked the end of the Tokugawa shogunate and the restoration of imperial rule under Emperor Meiji. The term specifically relates to the four key leaders who played crucial roles in this transformation. These leaders were Emperor Meiji, Saigo Takamori, Kido Takayoshi, and Itagaki Taisuke. They were instrumental in modernizing Japan and establishing a centralized government. Their efforts helped Japan transition from a feudal society to a modern state, influencing its political, social, and economic structures.