Taishō period

is often seen as a cohesive, homogenous nation with a strong sense of national pride and identity. However, this was not always the case; the image of Japan as a nation, as a group of people with a common identity, did not exist in the pre-Tokugawa period. Instead, it was through the centralizing forces of the Meiji Revolution, on both political and social levels, that ultimately resulted in the creation of Japan, the nation state. The political structure of Japan in the Tokugawa era was a…

Sarashina Nikki: A Bridge to the Heian Period With Sarashina Nikki, one has a portal to one of the greatest era of Japanese history, a time of high culture and art. Lady Sarashina’s memoir, Sarashina Nikki, supplies a crucial lens for viewing the Heian period. Specifically, the work provides a historical glimpse into the life of an aristocrat. Presented throughout Sarashina Nikki is a recount of Lady Sarashina’s experience as an aristocrat -- she embarks on pilgrimages to distant lands and…

Ebola: a word that for many triggers a somewhat distant memory back to 2014 when the whole world was up in arms about it spreading and becoming a pandemic. This incident of outbreak in West Africa shows how far we have come as a world, technologically and medically, but also how far we still have to go. The severity of the outbreak was completely avoidable, however due to the disregard of certain factors not usually associated with disease, such as cultural practices, it became an epidemic. In…

Commonly called, “The Heart of Japan” Kyoto was the center of Japan’s culture, literature, Japanese Imperial Court, and arts during it’s hayday. Looking at Japan’s long history, it was first introduced 1200 years ago as Japan’s capital during the Heian Period (794 to 1185 C.E.) as Heian-kyō meaning, "tranquility and peace capital.” The four centuries of the Heian Golden Age changed the course of Japan’s history because of the emergence of the intertwining elements such as well-renowned female…

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…

During the decades of Japanese colonial rule, Korean self image underwent significant changes. Due to the rapid modernization brought about by the Japanese takeover, Korean culture became significantly more nationalistic. Nationalism refers to the process of desiring a nation’s well-being and autonomy as though it were your personal interest. The Korean self-image of scholars and politicians during the time of colonial rule was one which desired power, autonomy, and held a fierce sense of…

“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…

Absolutism means that the sovereign power or ultimate authority in the state rested in the hands of a king who claimed to rule by divine right the idea that kings received their power from God and were responsible to no one but God. Catherine The Great and Tokugawa Ieyasu were both known as prominent absolute rulers but, Ieyasu was a more effective absolutist ruler. Tokugawa controlled his country by reasonable means that wouldn’t cause uprisings and distrust while still being the only one to…

The origin of Japan’s long history about reverence for nature started with native religion. No one is quite sure how long religion has been practiced in Japan. The natives’ belief system was based on and in the worship of kami. Kami are the elements of the landscape or forces of nature (“Kami”). In the 6th century Shintoism was created to distinguish native religion from Buddhism and Confucianism (“Shintoism”). Shinto most literally means, “the way of kami” (Hirai). Shintoism became more popular…

The Meiji Restoration transformed and introduced Japan to an industrialised western culture which influenced Japan’s social structure and values. The Meji restoration brought tremendous social change as millions of people were suddenly able to choose their occupation and move without restriction. By providing a new financially secure environment, the government increased it’s investment in new industries and technologies. As Japan citizens began to live in cities that introduced them to abroad…