Royalists; imperial loyalists
Historical term referring to supporters of the emperor, especially during the Bakumatsu period. Often used in the context of the sonnō jōi movement.
Many imperial loyalists were active at the end of the Edo period.
Compound of 尊王 (sonnō, 'revere the emperor') + 家 (ka, 'person, specialist'). The term arose in the late Edo period to describe supporters of imperial restoration.