The Emergence of Modern Japan: 1874-

1894

Sight at Ochanomizu 1880 by Kiyochika Kobayashi

Political Development

Several uprisings occurred during the 1870s and 1980s. And the most serious one was led by Saigo Takamori.

The rebel force rose as high as 42,000, but after half a year the rebellion was crushed.

Political Development

Protest against the government continued and an other important man, who had worked so hard to create the new Japanese state, was assassinated.

Okubo Tishimichi

Political Development

Everywhere, antigovernment organizations voiced the discontent of local interests, demanding political rights, local-government, and formation of a national assembly.

Political Development

Iwakura mission, initiated in 1871

Political Development

Ito Hirobumi took the lead in political modernization. He became the Prime Minister of Japan four times (the 1st, 5th, 7th and 10th)

Political Development

Yamagata Aritomo, the creator of the new army

Political Development

Okuma Shigenobu served as Finance Minister, then 5th Prime Minister

Political Development

The government announced that the Emperor Meiji would grant a constitution to take effect in 1890.

Formation of Parties

The Jiyuto (Liberal party) formed by Itagaki and his associates Drew its support from rural areas

It proclaimed itself “devoted to the expansion of liberty, protection of rights, promotion happiness and reform of society.”

The Kaishinto (Progressive party) formed by Okuma More urban and more moderate

Advocating English-style liberalism and setting forth more specific proposals

Formation of Parties

Japan’s first newspaper appeared in 1871, and press laws enacted in 1875.

The Liberal party was hurt by differences among its leaders, but was damaged even more by antagonism within its membership, it was dissolved in 1884.

A system of centralizing local administration was established, villages and town were now headed by officials, and local assemblies were created.

The Emperor and the Constitution

The emperor was a divine being embodying a timeless spirit, but this was a modern divinity, resplendent in his flashy, new, world-class uniform.

The emperor, “sacred and inviolable” father of the family state, was supreme.

He was the locus and source of sovereignty: the land and people belonged to him.

He had power to declare war, conclude treaties, and command the army.

He also had the right to open, recess (suspend), and dissolved the legislature

Only the emperor could take the initiative to revise the constitution

Western Influence on Values and Ideas

Styles of dress

Western-style painter Kawakami Togai

Fukuzawa Yukichi, who learned Western knowledge and created what is known as “civilization and enlightenment.”

Civilization and Enlightenment

In 18th century Europe, the intellectual movement known as the Enlightenment sought to put all traditional ideas and institutions to the test of reason.

Fukuzawa Yukichi was strongly influenced by the European Enlightenment.

He goals were to stimulate the development of an independent and responsible citizenry in Japan.

While he reviewed the role of women in terms of family and home, Fukuzawa also recommended greater equality between sexes, championed monogamy argued that women should be educated and allowed to hold property.

Civilization and Enlightenment

According to Fukuzawa, history was made by the people, not by a few great leaders.

He established what became Keio University, a distinguished private university in Tokyo whose graduates were important in business and industry.

He believed that human affairs should be governed by inherent concepts of justice like the physical world is governed by laws of nature.

Social Darwinism

It’s all based on the theory of evolution by natural selection presented in Darwin’s famous On the Origin of Species (1859).

The theory was summarized by the catch phrase “survive of the fittest.”

It applies to the success or failure of individuals within society, it justified brutal competition.

Similarly, applied to the rise and fall of nations, it focuses on military as well as civil competition.

In both case, “the fittest” were those came out on the top and thereby contributed to human progress.

The Arts

Western influence was both audible and visible. Music taught in school

Literature, “the age of translation”

Painting, “Morning Toilet” by Kuroda Seiki, painting of nude

The coming of Western art led to the neglect of traditional art.

Conservatism and Nationalism

Some Japanese feared that acceptance of a foreign culture was a step towards national decline, and should adopt some of Western culture while retaining valuable aspects of their past.

Western individualism, fostered by the policy of modernization, clashed with the old family values.

……

Okakura went on to define a wider world role for Japan by emphasizing Japan’s Asian roots.

His book, The Ideals of the Eat presents the nation’s mission in term of preserving an Asian cultural essence.

Education

Education was important in fashioning a new Japan capable of competing with the West.

At the beginning of the Meiji period (1873), One-eighth of ME’s first budget was designed for sending students overseas.

Many foreign instructors were brought to Japan to teach various specialized schools.

The Ministry of Education was created since 1871 to determine what was taught.

Education

Political leaders agreed to provide people with skills necessary for modernization.

In the 1870s, more books were frequently translated for use in Japanese schools.

However, there were also critics who insisted that schools should preserve traditional Confucian/Japanese values.

Modernizing the Economy The nation was still primarily agrarian, but Western experience

brought the country to the condition for industrial development.

Japanese agriculture had become more efficient with the introduction of new seed trains, new fertilizers, and new methods of cultivation.

Trade helped generate capital needed for investment in manufacturing.

However, Benefits resulting from the commercialization of agriculture went to the landlord.

The Meiji regime invested heavily in the economic infrastructure

The government took the lead in establishing and operating cement works, plants manufacturing tiles, textile mills…..

The Zaibatsu

The zaibatsu (huge financial and industrial combines) were usually organized by new entrepreneurs to make a successful tradition into the new world of Meiji.

The Mitsui was vigorous and capable, establishing first a bank and then a trading company which became important factors in foreign commerce.

Military

The Taiwan expedition of 1874

The Satuma Rebellion of 1877

The Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895

Yamagata established a general staff along German lines, and the Germany became the overall model for the army, previously influenced by France.

The army got modern equipment, the creation of a Staff College and improve training, and Naval modernization.