12-Japanese History-Edo, Meiji and Modern Japan

Overview of Japanese History

• Transition from Edo period to Meiji Restoration, followed by a brief look into the 20th century.

• Re-examination of historical perspectives, moving beyond oral legends to focus on documented history.

Geographic Context

• Historical capitals located in the southern area of Honshu island:

  • Nara Period (700s): Centralized capitals in Nara.

  • Kyoto:

    • Became a dynastic and imperial center.

    • Served as a ceremonial court despite fluctuating power dynamics.

  • Kamakura Period:

    • Military capital for Shoguns (13th to early 14th centuries).

Edo Period (1603-1868)

• Followed the Azuchi-Momoyama period; characterized by reforms and the rise of warlords.

• Unified government based in Edo (now Tokyo), leading to:

  • Significant urban development.

  • Emergence of a middle-class culture as peasants acquired land and personal wealth.

  • Advancements in various fields: economics, literature, arts, and theology.

• Edo emerged as a large city; Kyoto retained its cultural significance but not political power.

• Isolationist policies began in the 1630s, marked by:

  • Persecution of Christians following the Shimabara Rebellion (1637-1638).

  • Initial count of Christians reaching possibly 300,000, but persecution drastically reduced numbers.

    • Comparisons to prior Buddhist suppression, showing repeating cycles of religious conflict.

The Meiji Restoration (1868)

• Catalyst for modernization following increased Western contact, especially with the U.S.

  • Commodore Matthew Perry's arrival prompted Japan to open ports in the 1850s.

  • Resulted in leadership changes and a shift in public sentiment toward modernization and Westernization.

• Emperor Meiji:

  • Assumed control, abolished the Tokugawa Shogunate, and established a new governmental system centered in Tokyo.

  • Reformed class hierarchy, ended feudal domains, and lifted bans on Christianity and foreign literature.

  • Initiated modernization of Japan including:

    • Encouragement of Western ideas, universal education, infrastructure development (trains, electricity).

    • Rapid industrial and military growth; Japan became a formidable empire.

  • Expansion into China and Korea before World War II, solidifying Japan’s position as a global superpower.

World War II and Aftermath

• Japan's entry into the Axis Powers marked the height of imperial expansion.

• Post-war impact:

  • Devastation from atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki leading to loss of confidence and restructuring.

• Significant recovery and economic growth through cooperation with the U.S. post-war, leading to rapid reconstruction until the 1980s.

• Contemporary Japan experienced:

  • Economic challenges beginning in the 1990s (the 'lost decade') but retained strengths in certain sectors.

  • Growth of popular culture and technology, making Japan a leader in global pop culture by the late 20th century.

Conclusion

• This part of the history establishes a foundation for delving deeper into Japan's cultural and religious elements from both historical and contemporary perspectives.