The year 1868 was a turning point in the history of the Japan of the Shoguns. It meant the need to open its borders and adopt western models in order to modernize the country and enable it to compete with modern industrialized nations.
This assimilation of western models influenced almost all spheres of life in Japan: politics, economics, army, mores, social life, and of course, culture were testing fields for what the government called "bunmei kaika" (civilization and enlightenment). All things western were viewed as better, more advanced and preferable to things Japanese. The taste for western objects permeated the life of important cities such as Tokyo and Yokohama.
"It does not matter how commonplace many of these objects are today. There was a time when they were new and astonishing to Japanese eyes. The Meiji Restoration is a spectacular case of cultural transplant and, at the same time, a unique contribution by Japan to today´s world".
Imagine you are a U.S. reporter in Japan. Based on the images and text, write a 2 paragraph description of Japan during the Meiji Restoration.
The year 1868 was a turning point in the history of the Japan of the Shoguns,people surrouned in areas,working hard "It does not matter how commonplace many of these objects are today. There was a time when they were new and astonishing to Japanese eyes. The Meiji Restoration is a spectacular case of cultural transplant and, at the same time, a unique contribution by Japan to today´s world".
ReplyDeletewestern models influenced almost all things of life in Japan: politics, economics, army, culture were testing fields for what the government called "bunmei kaika" All things western were viewed as better, more advanced and preferable to things Japanese. The taste for western objects permeated the life of important cities such as Tokyo and Yokohama.
M.I
We are the first few reporters or any outsiders let into japan. There has been drastic changes so far ; I'm so surprised about how they were already letting the western culture into the society .They are already working on new machines and are taking our advanced technology to there fields and factories .I am very proud to see the progress that japan is making in such a short time period.
ReplyDeleteThere are already railroads being built and the British horse chariot is being used . the more I say here the more I see the change starting to take over . I'm starting to see change in every aspect of there lives from politics to clothing. Japan is really changing and soon they too may be a super power in the world.
Japan during the Meiji restoration was spectacular. Japan got an unique contribution of cultural transplant. Things were viewed as better, more advanced, and preferable to Japanese. The western objects permeated the life of important cities such as Tokyo and Yokohama. By looking at the pictures, Japan looks like a successful country not filled with violence.
ReplyDeleteThe assimilation of western objects influenced politics, economics, army, social life and culture of Japan; were testing fields for” bunmei kaika” which was civilization and enlightenment. The reason why Japan adopted western models was to modernize the country and enable it to compete with modern industrialized nations.
- A.U.
If I am a U.S. reporter in Japan, I saw many things in Japan are new and modern.----Meiji Restoration. Although some people still wear the 'kimono' and sword, but there are western invents on the road, like buildings,street lights......they are impact Japanese politics, economics, army, mores, social life,and culture. Most Japanese are willing to accept the better,more convenient thing to their life. But I can still see a lot of traditional Japanese architecture and culture in this country. It seems Western technology can indeed affect the Japanese. As the production and infrastructure increase, Japan built industries such as shipyards, iron smelters, and spinning mills, which were then sold to well-connected entrepreneurs. I think the positive effect of the Meiji Restoration in Japan is, get the scientific and technological progress.
ReplyDelete-----Y.L. Period 9(yayu liu)
In the middle of eighteen century. Japan Shogun opened its border and absorbed the western culture into its citizen's life. Soon, these totally changed the whole country into a modern and industrialized nation. We called this period " MEIJI Restoration“.
ReplyDeleteAs we can see in the picture, Some Japanese started to wear modern jacket and pant instead of traditional Japanese clothes in the big city, such as Tokyo or Yokohama , they also used train and carriage as transportation, and the most important thing is the Japanese used advanced production mode to produce Iron or the other goods in the factory.
----Z.W
During the Meiji Restoration, Japan was going through some changes. They we becoming more modernize because of this and also at the same time, trying to keep the overall Japanese traditions. When the westerns came to Japan they brought with them new items. Some Japanese were enlightened by this and some were not.
ReplyDeleteThe Japanese that were enlightened were dressed like they were British and used western products in order to become more modernized, while the unenlightened kept the traditional values of being Japanese and refuse to modernize. There were also others who were half and half. That means that they were also trying out new things the westerns brought as well, but also tried to keep their Japanese traditions at the same time.
J.R.
Japan has changed a lot. Everything looks slightly different each day where I happen to see some extra trolleys, and more frequent use of horse carriages. I assumed that their leaders named Shoguns would reject Matthew C. Perry's offer of sending our technology to them, but they've instead accepted it. Strange, since we know that they were quiet, isolated people from the east. But if any, this is good.
ReplyDeleteThey are adopting this new sudden change, and I've interviewed a man named Takashi, who was surprised by the horses carrying the carriages and the bright lights we call street lamps. It feels nice to see a country appreciate our western objects and accept it into their lives. But not all have. Upon attempting to interview others, some have ignored me and gave me dirty looks, so I assume they were the people or traditional shogun who rejected the new change, and disliked my presence. Still, seeing things from my country is great, and it'll be a good advancement to see in this oriental environment. With these photos, they'll prove to be a good headline next week.
H.Y.
Now in Japan, many new things have been happening. Some might consider this a huge step or a huge turning point in the history of Japan. The Shoguns are opening its borders and actually allowing trade with other nations. Also, with new trade, this has allowed them to adopt the western models and this allows them to modernize their country and enable them to compete with modern industrialized nations.
ReplyDeleteFrom the images above, you can see how the things done in Japan somewhat looks like things here in the U.S. In the first picture, it clearly depicts a busy street. If you were to look closer, you can see a cart that is used to transport the citizens. In the second picture, you can see workers in factories somewhat like ours and burning what seems to be like coal. In the final picture, you can see a town of some kind. The people are either chatting, or on a horse and buggy moving from place to place. In all, they have modernized and are living in a society that somewhat resemble ours.
-S.Li
-KZ
ReplyDeleteThe Japanese, they were surprised, impressed. There were thousands of people waiting wharf for the first ship that came from our country. When the merchandises came out of the ship, people cheered. It was successful, the trade between Japan and us. The new ideas brought from U.S. spread out in important cities such as Tokyo and Yokohama.
One month later, things changed in Japan. People starting to wear western-style clothes instead of kimono. The Japanese changed their national mustache style to western style. More and more U.S. made products are sold in Japan. The Japanese, instead of complaining about the bitterness of coffee, they started to get use to it and drinking everyday.
The Meji emperor because head of Japan in 1868. The nation at the time had a weak military force. People in Japan would get their source of food from agriculture. They also had little technological advancements compared to other countries at the time. Europe and America forced Japan to sign a treaty which limited Japans control over their own trade.
ReplyDeleteThis point in history caused Japan to have western influences. This includes politics, economics and culture. Western customs were viewed better than traditional Japanese values. Because of this, Japan was no longer an isolated country and began to have other social and technological developments like other western countries.
-A.S
One main goal of the Meiji restoration was to establish Japan as an industrial power. The Meiji Restoration resulted in the modernization of the nation’s industry. As soon as Commodore Matthew Perry arrived, trade between Japan and the West began. His arrival marked the end of Japans policy of isolationism.
ReplyDeleteThe modernization of Japan during the Meiji Restoration resulted in the rise of Japan as an imperialistic nation. During the meiji restoration economic growth and rapid industrialization occured.
-ND
The Meiji Restoration was a major turning point for Japan, as other countries like in Europe began modernizing their countries, prior to the Meiji Restoration Japan was a feudal agricultural society, weak military and ruled by local warlords, but in 1868, Japan restored the imperial rule, and transformed the country from a feudal into a modern state, thus becoming a constitutional monarchy with an elected parliament and strong central government and strong transportation and communications network as well as educated population, growing industry and strong army and navy.
ReplyDeleteIn Conclusion, the Meiji Restoration was a major turning point for Japan into becoming the country we know as of today due to a strong industry and powerful military and turning their country into a constitutional monarchy and to see Japan turning into modern industrialized country was surprising to see and how they fare in the future.
-O.N.
It’s the beginning of a major political, social, and economical era in Japan. Also known as the Meiji Restoration had taken place from (1868 -1912). This revolution was to modernize and westernize Japan’s society. “Bunmei Kaika” was Japan’s civilization and enlightenment period.
ReplyDeleteThis time marked Japan being up to date. The clothes became more innovative. The agriculture of the community is becoming more enhanced. People are more using horses and wheel carriages to travel. Workers are burning and making new things to better the industrial part of Japan. Things are getting better as time moves on they become more and more up to par with the western part of the world.
October 21st, 1868
ReplyDeleteJapan has changed immensely from their usual old-style living ways. They have become more like us, the Americans. They have even started to dress like us too. People are on horses traveling from place to place. They have also been using different ways to warm themselves up using fuel. It’s a strange thing to witness considering the fact that they seem so old-fashioned.
It seems that some people are not happy of this change and I think that’s ignorant. America should be looked up to by Japan for their modernized living style. It’s helping the people of Japan to live bigger and better. Even though some people are unhappy, some chose to not be stubborn and are being submissive to this change. Even though it might be a strange sight to see, it’s also a refreshing thing to see. Japan is evolving, as is the rest of the world.
- NQ
During the Meiji Restoration, Japan adopted itself to become a more westernized and modern country. Based on the images, you can see that Japan’s cities have transitioned to wagons as transportation, their building are more stable, and the clothing civilians wear seem to be westernized as well. Before the restoration the country didn’t have many buildings/homes. Now there seems to be more building and Japanese structures. Transportation may have westernized as well by the use of horses to pull wagons.
ReplyDeleteThe clothing of citizens have also westernized. Though the patterns and designs of the clothing remains traditional, the styles of the clothing has changed. Men would wear kimono tops and white bottoms and women would wear dresses or sometimes kimonos. Women would also style their hair traditionally too. They do so by pinning it into an updo style. Occasionally, all citizens would wear their full traditional outfit.
S.L.
In Japan we are under the Meiji period, and Japan is making many advances. They began to adjust to many of the western trends. They abandoned their traditional ways to be able to compete with the new industrialized countries, they had to keep up. Even their clothing began to resemble something that we would have worn. Anything that was western is thought to be better and more advanced than anything traditional.
ReplyDeleteThings are changing politically as well. The samurai class has been abolished, and a monarchy was put into place. Before this modernization, Japan was a feudal government under the rule of Tokugawa. Now the modernized Japan became a world power an dare beginning to have a part in imperialism. Japan has become modernized with a central government very similar to those we see in the West.
-A.S
During 1868, Japanese have suddenly opened their port to the other nation, and the isolation of this mysterious nation has finally been broken apart, and they are trying to adopt the western culture in the field of fashion, industry, social classes and economic system.
ReplyDeleteThey some how abandon the old fashion ways of living, and trying to become modernize and adopting the western culture, citizens are riding bikes in the streets, some have abandon their traditional clothing, and they are starting their industries, the reason might be they have became Enlightened by the fact of western nation have becoming more powerful by trading and industry, our technology have becoming more and more advance than they are if they are not going to join us they're name are going to be erased in the map.
J.L
Z.M.L
Hello, this is reporter Tatiana speaking and I’m here to give information on the Meiji Restoration. In order to modernize the country, Japan had to open borders and adopt models. Also the western models of japan impacted spheres of life such as politics and economics. The western objects were viewed different to the people of japan. They were considered advanced to the people of japan. It made life easier for the people living in the cities of Tokyo and Yokohama.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn’t matter where or when the objects were made old or new they still made a difference in japan society. Theses object caught an eye to the people of japan. These items was a very popular trade product to sell. Japan gained a lot of money and was able to use them for their personal needs.
~(T.V)
ReplyDeleteJapan during the Meiji Restoration was a time when japan starting cultural diffusion. Before that time japan was very isolated from the rest of the world. They took many of there ideas from the westernized people. The western lifestyle was viewed as modern and advanced. They copied the way they dressed. Besides for the way they dressed they also copied politics, economics, army and many more ideas. All these ideas were very new to japan. In an effort to convert japan into a westernized area the government issued many advertisements to pursued Japanese citizens to be out with the old and in with the new. It seemed to be working Japanese people were now doing things like the westerns. And all this became true people made it seem like being westernized was bigger and better.
-GG
During 1603 - 1868, Japan was under Tologwawa's power. Japan was in their own little world. They wouldn't want any contact with the outside world. The show-gun didn't want to trade and influences from the foreign countries to effect their country. They were afraid that their country's people would go against them or they would lose power. For example. the Industrial Revolution, they can get ideas from that and they can do the same thing.
ReplyDeleteThe Meiji Restoration is a political and social upset in Japan in 1866-69, which finished the force of the Tokugawa shogun and gave back the Meiji Emperor its position, where its due to a focal position in Japanese governmental issues and society. After the 1686, Japan changed because of the enlightenment by the western countries. The western world materials had better and more advanced things then Japan. So Japan also became more modernize and same as the other countries.
-SC
Japan was a very independent country that closed all their borders and did not really socialize with other nations. It had many goods that other nations wanted. Japan finally decided to traded and adapt to western models to modernize their country. Cities like Tokyo and Yokohama adapted to the western life very quickly.
ReplyDeleteJapan changed a lot after 1868 which was the turning point for Japan. They got horses and wagons for transportation. They also got coal to use to create fire. Japan was very crowded with people selling items, and goods on the streets. This change is Japan is called the Meiji Restoration.
P.K.
During the Meiji Restoration, Japan was trying to connect itself to the rest of the world in many ways. Some of the ways were through trade, culture, and the military. Almost all parts of Japanese life were affected by the change. The purpose of the Restoration was to modernize Japan. Not only in its actions, but also in its beliefs. Western appliances were viewed as not only better than Japanese appliances, but better than almost everyone else’s. Not everyone believed that, but the Westerners definitely did. One thing that proved that fact was Commander William Perry’s arrival in Japan. Almost everyone in the world wanted the things that the Western countries had. At first, the Japanese wanted nothing to do with the luxuries of the Western world, so they were basically forced into the Restoration.
ReplyDeleteSince they were forced into the Restoration, the Japanese rapidly introduced change to modernize their country and bring about their own Industrial Revolution. They introduced many industries such as the textile industry, modern banking, merchant fleets, highways, telegraph lines, railroads, and mines. The Japanese got help in developing a modern military and many Japanese students studied abroad in Western countries. They had many slogans, but two of them are: One was from the emperor Mutsuhito. He said, “May our country, Taking what is good, And rejecting what is bad, Be not inferior, To any other.” The other slogan, by leader Tomomi Iwakura was, “Open the country to drive out the barbarians.” The era was the start of Japan’s transformation and the end of Japanese isolation. They changed from a feudal state to a modern one. The name ‘Meiji’ means ‘Enlightened Rule’ and the emperor chose that name to title his rule because he wanted that era to be enlightened by the knowledge that they gained from other places.
-SRPT
If you were to visit Japan at this point in time you would see that a major change in Japanese culture. They are preoccupied with western culture, to them west is better and as a result of this they change the way they dress, how they train their army and some aspects of their political system.
ReplyDeleteWe are seeing a major change it is as if people are just giving up the way their people have lived for years for a new modern system. At this rate I wonder if the Japanese will change their language as-well to a more western one.
JR
At first, I see that people are hesitant about these new western ideas. Although hesitant, these new objects introduced to the Japanese are astonishing. Keep in mind that they were isolated from the rest of the world before. As time passes, you can see that many Japanese people are slowly understanding and accepting these ideas. However, you can still see many traditional Japanese people in society. Imports and trades and even control in a way, are all dealt with the West. Thus, those who refuse to westernize will be forced to.
ReplyDeleteIn addition, this age of Japan is all about discovering, inventing, and creating. If you walk out on the streets, you will see combinations of culture; both western and Asian. On occasions, you may also see mixed fashion styles. Western ideas envelope this country. As you can see, there are train stations being built, inventions of fire, and horses with carriages everywhere. Soon, western ideas will diffuse with japanese culture, creating a " spectacular case of cultural transplant."
-J.L
In Japan there were a lot of ideas that came from the western area. People kept pets, how to have parties, and how they dressed. The people who were dressed in a suit were considered 'enlighten' and the ones who dressed traditionally were considered 'not enlighten.' These 'enlighten' people think differently than the one who are 'not enlighten.'
ReplyDeleteIt is surprising that we were let inside of Japan since they blocked all of the ports. The shoguns did not like the spread of different religion. I think that the shogun want to keep them under control so they want to limit the people's mind.
E.P.
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Mr. strk said i can finish it since i didn't know the website