Meiji period

Japan consists of one of the most culturally rich societies in the world, one of which through history has been greatly affected by the other cultures around it. America has specifically played a huge influence in Japan since the Meiji Period and continues to do so today (Bognar 47f). In fact, “Much of today's Japanese culture is derivative of or responds to American culture” (47). But is America’s influence necessarily a good thing? The westernization, or more specifically the…

powerful military caste and servants of great lords known as daimyos ("The Age of the Samurai: 1185-1868"). Until the Meiji Restoration of 1868, during which the Japanese feudal system was abolished and a centralized bureaucratic government rose, the samurai maintained control from the Kamakura to the Tokugawa period ("Samurai Essay"). During the Tokugawa Shogunate, Japan was in a period of peace and prosperity for 250 years and samurai were able to form a traditional code of honor, known as…

years. During the colonial period, Japanese imperialism in Korea had a significant ambivalent impact towards many Koreans. This essay will compare and contrast the differences between the first ten and second ten years of Japanese colonial policy in Korea. This is because Korea experiences dramatically changes in their cultural, political and economic policy under the Japanese rules. The essay will then distinguish why Japan changed its policies during the colonial period and how the changes in…

Japanese painting is one of the oldest and most elegant of the Japanese visual arts, embracing many varieties of genres and styles. The long history of Japanese painting expresses synthesis and competition between native Japanese aesthetics and the adaptation of imported ideas. From a decorative view, Japanese paintings are full of mesmerizing Asian charm. Although, this can also be a confusing subject for novices that want to learn more about it. Different painting styles and schools, a…

The Elephant Vanishes can be seen as a manifestation of modernization and homogenization of Japanese culture through the influence of westernization. Murakami is particularly interested in the way that the characters react towards the changing society. Throughout the collection, he writes about the consequence of westernization by exploring the seriousness of Japan as a vanishing culture. This idea is most profound in the beginning and the end story of the collection The Wind-up Bird and…

modernization stage allowed Japan to strengthen its internal government and external interests. Prior to Japan’s attempt to introduce an advanced government, the emperor overthrew the Shoguns and restored his supreme power, which is also known as the Meiji Restoration. Under the emperor’s reliable, centralized government, rather than numerous Shoguns, Japan united. The new government acted as the catalyst that emboldened Japan’s will to modernize and led a successful transition and…

The shrine was administered by the army and navy up until the time of defeat in World War II when the American occupation authorities imposed the constitutional separation of religion and the state. The controversy over visits by Japanese prime ministers to the shrine arose from the fact that in 1978, the Yasukuni Shrine enshrined 14 executed World War II class-A criminals among the war dead, which generated dispute from neighboring Asian countries who view these visits as representing the…

Background: Let us understand about Japan's corporate governance system known as a keiretsu which dates back to the 1600s, but was then propelled by the Japanese government's newly formed Meiji Restoration in 1866 as the world entered the industrial revolution. Keiretsu has popularly two models namely: Modern Horizontal Keiretsus Here the purpose of the model is strictly distribution of goods around the globe. It may seek new markets for keiretsu companies, help incorporate keiretsu companies…

“The Tattooer,” by Tanizaki Jun’ichirō, presents a sexual obsession and power. His book is based on the Japanese traditions and the West, particularly during the Edo period of 1603 to 1867. During the Edo era, it was a time of economic growth and time for enjoyment of art and culture. Men would beautify themselves by getting a tattoo. They considered strength and beauty one. The story brings out the personalities of the tattooer, Seikichi, and the geisha and how their power intertwines. Seikichi…

preceded by the unequal treaties imposed by the American commodore. The emperor of Japan would modernize and adapt through education, military and local administration reform in order to create a strong national identity among Japan’s people. As the Meiji government established a constitution an economic transformation would occur, where great company’s like Mitsubishi would dictate the Japanese economy and create an impressive growth. The Japanese expansionism would create conflicts with…