Edo Japan and Meiji Restoration Notes

Edo Japan: A Closed Society

Locking Out the World

In the early 1500s, Japan welcomed Portuguese traders, adopting their fashions and firearms. However, by the late 1500s and early 1600s, this attitude shifted dramatically.

Threats From the West

The ruling shogun grew wary of foreigners, perceiving them as a threat to his military control. The concern was that if the daimyo (feudal lords) acquired European weapons, they might challenge the shogun's authority.

New Ways: Belief and Thought

The shogun viewed loyalty to the Christian God and the Church as threats. In 1614, responding to rumors of foreign takeover plots, the shogun ordered all Christian missionaries to leave the country. Churches were destroyed, and Japanese Christians faced execution if they refused to renounce their faith. This persecution lasted until 1640, resulting in thousands of Christian deaths and the expulsion of 70 missionaries.

Converted ronin (masterless samurai) and peasants showed more defiance than the daimyos when ordered to give up Christianity. A Japanese writer, Masaharu Anesaki, noted that the shogun found it inconceivable that people without power or wealth could resist his will unless influenced by a foreign power, leading him to consider them traitors deserving severe punishment.

Cutting off Contact

Because missionaries continued to enter the country disguised as traders, Shogun Iemitsu enacted isolation or exclusion laws, with death as the punishment for breaking them.

Terms of the Exclusion Laws

1. All Christian missionaries and foreign traders were forced to leave Japan.
2. Japanese citizens were forbidden from traveling abroad.
3. The construction of large ships capable of long voyages was prohibited, and existing ones were destroyed.
4. Japanese citizens who were out of the country were forbidden from returning.
5. Most foreign objects were prohibited, including foreign books containing Christian messages and scientific books.

Shogun Tightens Rules

People required special documents to travel between domains. A curfew was instituted to restrict movement at night, and wheeled transport was banned.

Shogun’s Isolation

In 1639, the shogun banned Portuguese ships and expelled all foreigners except for Dutch, Korean, and Chinese traders. The isolation policy was deemed essential for national security.

Exceptions to the Exclusion Laws

A small number of Dutch were allowed to remain because they were primarily interested in trade, not religion. Dutch families were not allowed to join them, and their servants were forbidden from speaking with them. Once a year, the Dutch had to visit the shogun for three months and were subjected to extensive questioning on science and medicine.

Deshima

The Dutch were confined to the tiny island of Deshima in Nagasaki Harbour, with guards stationed at the bridge and police spies among them.

Dutch Scholars

The shogun employed a small number of Japanese scholars who studied Dutch medicine and language. Daimyo also sent some samurai sons to learn Dutch.

A New Way of Thinking

The shogun's advisors informed him of the scientific method in the West, emphasizing mental reasoning and tangible evidence.

Some Positive Responses to Western Studies

In 1720, foreign books without Christian content were allowed in Japan. The shogun encouraged astronomy and built an observatory in Edo in 1744. However, most Japanese citizens were not exposed to Western ideas, as the shogun feared they might cause confusion and undermine obedience.

Attitudes Toward Change

During the Renaissance and the Enlightenment, Europe had a positive attitude toward change and progress. In contrast, Japan during the Edo period likely viewed progress and change differently, valuing stability and order.

Maintaining Rule in Japan

Japan maintained its feudal system with an economy tied to agriculture and rigid social classes. The shogun aimed to demonstrate Japan's strength and the strength of his rule.

Change Within Isolation

Japan remained stable for over 250 years. The Japanese prioritized peace, security, harmony, respect, and leisure time, but at the cost of rigid rules and limited personal freedom.

Influence of the Shogun

The shogun exerted social control. Bandits, robbers, and pirates were uncommon due to social controls and harsh punishments like execution.

A Booming Economy

Stability and peace led to increased wealth in Edo Japan.

A Booming Economy continued…

Farmers increased production through irrigation and double-cropping.

Road Improvements

Road improvements, financed by the daimyo, facilitated increased trade.

Population Increase

The population increased in urban centers.

Currency

Silver and gold coins were introduced as currency.

Economic Challenges

Despite the boom, challenges included limited foreign trade, overtaxing peasants, and the continued use of rice for business transactions.

A Golden Age of Culture

Peace and prosperity fostered a flourishing of arts and culture. Kabuki theatre, with male actors playing both male and female roles, became popular.

Japanese Tea Ceremony

Japanese Tea ceremony developed as a ritual for enjoyment and peace.

Sumo Wrestling

Sumo wrestling, originating as a religious performance, gained popularity as entertainment.

Haiku

Haiku, a new form of poetry, emerged, using a brief structure to offer insights into life.

Bunraku

Bunraku puppet theatre, featuring life-sized puppets, presented dramas of separated lovers or dueling samurai.

Woodblock Print

Woodblock print art style became very popular during the 18th century.

Kendo

Emphasis shifted in Japanese martial arts like kendo, from killing to personal development through disciplined living.

Floating Worlds

Cultural activities like kabuki and noh took place in areas called the floating world, where the shogun's rules were more relaxed, and merchants' money held more value than samurai rank. Authorities monitored these areas, discouraging samurai visits.

Changes Within Japan

The feudal society was becoming outdated, and despite the shogun's efforts, change was inevitable.

The Class System in Upheaval

Merchants gained wealth and power, managing rice storage, cash conversion, loans, and banking. Peasants needed money to pay high taxes, and daimyo faced financial strain due to road construction. Samurai found limited work, some marrying merchants' daughters against regulations.

Blame

The shogun and his officials became targets of blame. Some claimed the Tokugawa clan held power illegally, asserting that power belonged to the Emperor.

Disaster and Hard Times

Japan was struck by numerous natural disasters in the 1700s and 1800s.

Disaster and Hard Times continued…

Famine led to starvation, with one-third of the population dying. Land was deserted, and peasants migrated to cities seeking jobs, but found none. Rice became scarce, its price soared, and city dwellers rioted. The shogunate's responses were deemed ineffective.

Expansionist Threat from the Outside

By the early 1800s, nations like Russia, England, and the United States sought trade and coal access. In 1825, the shogun passed the “No Second Thought Expulsion Order,” directing forces to fire upon foreign ships and imprison or destroy any foreigners who came ashore.

Review Questions

• Three things the Japanese felt were important in society:
  • Peace (safety & security)
  • Harmony (respect and maintaining order)
  • Leisure time/Personal Expression (arts, sports, entertainment, crafts)
• What did the shogun fear from contact with the West?
  • Loss of control – threat of guns & religion
• What were the Exclusion Laws?
  • A set of laws passed by the Shogun during the Edo period that isolated Japan from outside contact
• What happened to Japanese citizens who were outside Japan when it became isolated?
  • They couldn’t return
• Which three nationalities were allowed to remain in Japan? Why?
  • Dutch, Korean, Chinese
  • Traders not missionaries
• What aspects of Japanese society and culture flourished due to stability and peace of the Edo period?
  * Arts (Kabuki,noh,Haiku,woodblock prints, etc.)
  * Booming economy (increased production, silver/gold coins, road building)

Meiji Japan: From Pressure to Reform

Japan Changes Direction During the Meiji Era: 1868-1912

Commodore Matthew Perry

1853 Commodore Matthew Perry - Opens Up Japan to Western Trade!

What Did the U. S. Want?

• Coaling stations.
• More trading partners.
• A haven for ship-wrecked sailors.

Perry's “Black Ships”

The Treaty of Kanagawa - 1854

Japan Learns a Lesson!

In 1862, just before the start of the Meiji period, Tokugawa sent officials and scholars to China to study the situation there. A Japanese recorded in his diary from Shanghai…

The Chinese have become servants to the foreigners. Sovereignty may belong to China but in fact it's no more than a colony of Great Britain and France.

China’s “Unequal Treaties”

After the Opium War of 1839-1842, Japan was convinced that it had to Open Up to the West.

The Shi-shi (“Men of High Purpose”)

• Highly idealistic samurai who felt that the arrival of Westerners was an attack on the traditional values of Japan.
• They believed that:
  • Japan was sacred ground.
  • The emperor, now a figurehead in Kyoto, was a God.
• Were furious at the Shogun for signing treaties with the West without the Emperor’s consent.
• Their slogan 🡪 Revere the Emperor, Expel the Barbarians!

The Meiji Revolt - 1868

• A powerful group of samurai overthrow the Shogun.
• Sakamoto Ryoma, the hero.
• He helped Japan emerge from feudalism into a unified modern state.

The Shogunate Is Overthrown!

The last Shogun. Tokugawa Yoshinobu.

The Emperor Is "Restored" to Power

MEIJI | “Enlightened Rule"

European Goods

Europe began to “loom large” in the thinking of many Japanese.

New slogan: Western Science, Japanese Essence!

The Japanese Became Obsessed with Western Styles

Civilization and Enlightenment!

Everything Western Was Fashionable!

Everything Western Was Fashionable!

Japanese soldiers with their wives

The Rulers Set the Tone with Western Dress

Emperor Meiji (1868-1912)
Empress Haruko

Meiji Reforms

• Abolition of the feudal system
• Land Redistribution
• Human Rights & Religious Freedom
• Build a Modern Navy (British)
• Westernize the School System (Fr. & Ger.)
• Modernize the Army (Prussian)
• Emperor Worship Intensified
• Written Constitution (Germans)
• Modern Banking System

How did Japan Decide to Implement Change?

Leaders decided that Japan needed a DRAMATIC change in order to maintain control over its future.

• Leaders believed that to SAVE Japan from the West, they needed to become STRONG & COMPETITIVE.
• In a few decades (30 years) leaders implemented (put in place) the following ideologies (ways of thinking):
  1. Democracy: elected representatives
  2. Industrialization: embraced technologies (ex. steam power machines)

No other country has EVER accepted changes like these so willingly.

• Changes affected Japan’s values & beliefs about its culture, social structure, political & economic systems.

They did this for the benefit of all.

• Japan took ideas for modernization from different countries:
  1. British: navy
  2. Germany: army & political structure
  3. France: free education
  4. USA: universities

How did Modernizing the Japanese Political System Reflect a New Worldview?

Leaders believed Japan needed a strong centralized gov’t.

∴ Leaders introduced a Constitutional Government

• 1868: Japan’s capital city (like our Ottawa) was moved from Kyoto to Edo & renamed Tokyo.
  * Emperor moved into a former Shogun’s castle in Tokyo
  * Shogun & Bakufu were no longer in power.

Unifying the Country:

• 1871: All domains were abolished & replaced by a prefecture system.
• Daimyos gave up their land & guaranteed no rights.
• Emperor had rights, but the Oligarchy controlled the Country.
• Emperor was used to promote nationalism (patriotic, sometimes extreme) b/c he was the connection b/t the old & new forms of gov’t.

Conservatives vs. Liberals

Searching for a New Model of Government

Conservatives: wanted German model (centralized gov’t.)

Liberals: wanted French & American model (human rights & representative gov’t.)

They went with: German style of government

1. Strong cabinet
2. Limited powers of parliament
3. Named it Dajokan

Political Change & Social System:

• Gov’t wanted population to be loyal to central gov’t & emperor they took away hierarchical social order.
• Feudal class (artisans, merchants, non-humans, etc.) was abolished
• Ppl could pick their jobs & live freely.

The only obligation was to be loyal to the emperor & state.

Creating a Constitution:

• Japan created constitution b/c:
  * Strong European countries had constitutions
  * To make the West think Japan is a strong country.
  * Constitution would unify Japan & included traditions & history.
• Political debates started & violent revolts (The Last Samurai) started in the countryside. Gov’t censored newspapers & public assemblies were banned.

How did Japan Changed its Economic System?

Leaders believed that Japan needed to industrialize, but had a hard time b/c of trade agreements signed w the West.

Industrialization:

• Gov’t knew it needed Japan to modernize to western nations’ standards.
• Within 10 years, most gov’t owned factories & businesses were handed over to private business.
• The groups of men who owned businesses were called “zaibatsu” & were closely ties to gov’t. Example: the Mitsubishi family

Capitalism: Matsukata Masayoshi (1835-1924)

• Decided that Japan needed to “cut back” on gov’t spending until they could renegotiate treaties made with the West.
• Imposed 3% land tax.
• Farmers lost their land & small businesses went bankrupt.
• However, @ the end of Meiji period, Japan’s national income had doubled.

Japan soon had:

• New railroads
• Deep water harbours
• Telegraph & telephone
• Ministry of banking to give money to new businesses.