The Meiji Restoration Modernization or Westernization - Essay Example

The Meiji Restoration – Modernization or Westernization? The debate over Westernization and modernization will go on and on - probably never coming to a satisfactory end. Part of that problem seems to stem from the fact that there often is not a common definition of the two terms given before the matter is "intelligently" discussed. Having a lack of this definition could also result in a lack of understanding between two parties. Whether they may be involved in political discussions, or in attempts at peaceful resolutions, with individuals or countries who are not in agreement with American global policies - or, at least what they perceive to be their policies. Definitions For the sake of a common starting point, a definition will be supplied here - one that will be developed as the paper continues. The terms, first of all, are not synonymous. In examining a number of discussions on the subject, however, it appears that some do not have a developed view of the two terms - thus resulting in general confusion - and, for them, there will be no clearer understanding than what they have, until such a clarification is made. Westernization What is now called the Western civilization had its beginnings around 1500. It came as an abrupt change that was "far greater than any comparable phenomena of the past both in geographic range and in social depth," says William H. McNeill, in his book, The Rise of The West: A History of The Human Community."1 He goes on to describe it as being: "An incessant and accelerating self-transformation, compounded from a welter of conflicting ideas, institutions, aspirations, and inventions, has characterized modern European history; and with the recent institutionalization of deliberate innovation in the form of industrial research laboratories, universities, military general staffs, and planning commissions of every sort, an accelerating pace of technical and social change bids fair to remain a persistent feature of Western civilization."2 In short, McNeil defines it as change, one that is "incessant," and a "self-transformation," one that is based upon a constant influx of ideas - that came from within. The change is both technological, and ideological. This change, in the Western world, had no model from which to pattern its changes - there was no external force prompting it. Modernization Modernization, on the other hand, may not be as complete as was Westernization - which was a complete and, as of yet, an unending transformation. It is merely going from a more historically stagnant position (whether it be caused by lack of resources, technology, education, political theory - or all four), to a position that is more in line with levels of other cultures surrounding them - not necessarily Western cultures. When a nation awakens, and finds itself in the proverbial Dark Ages, unequal to, and incompatible with cultures outside their own, then there is often an awakening of the heart of that nation to possess what others have - for advantage, and sometimes out of fear. Westerners often have the opinion that, because we (the West) are among the most modern nations on earth, that any modernization is necessarily a Westernization. Because of our often outspoken voices, other nations, not as technologically advanced, often parrot that view, too. They are, however, separable upon closer examination. Now comes time to bring in the historical transformation of Japan, which came immediately following the arrival of Commodore Perry, in what is called the Meiji Movement. In this examination of a particular historical event, it will be seen that the two, at the end, at least, are separable. The Meiji Movement In this examination of the historical Meiji Movement, a rather extensive explanation of the events, and how thorough it was needs to be given. It will be done through mentioning four conditions of pre-Meiji Japan, and then by showing five changes made during the Emporer’s reign. 1. Japan Was Isolated Japan, prior to the arrival of Commodore Perry, was totally isolationist. Japanese citizens were not allowed to leave the country, and foreigners were not granted permission to do so. The only outside contact that there was, was with the Dutch East India Company - and they could only land on one particular port. Japan had no desire of either Westernization or modernization. 2. Japan Was In An Upheaval At the time of Perrys coming, Japan was experiencing great turmoil from within. Various warlords, or shoguns, retained control over large areas of the country, and caused much upheaval. The military was weak from the internal warring, and was not greatly respected by the populace. The government was decentralized. 3. Japan Was Not Militarily Advanced When Perrys ships pulled into the harbor, the Japanese saw, for the first time, three unusual things - a ship running under steam power, ships reinforced with iron, and many large cannons on those ships. They had never seen any of these things before. This placed in their mind both fear and respect, and a desire for the same advancement for their troubled country. A desire for modernization begins in the minds of some. 4. Japan Was Needing Help Probably unknown to the leadership of Japan (the feudal lords and shogun) at the time, was the solution to their problems. Perry, before he pulled into port, let it be known why he was coming and what he wanted - to open trade between the United States and Japan - either willingly, or by force. He was met by hundreds of small ships, but he remained undaunted by it, and refused to leave until he could meet with Japans highest officials. Perrys forces could have easily destroyed the Japanese fleet, or stopped the cities (Edo) food supply by blocking the port, but he did not. He had delivered his papers to the officials, and was asked to return later. This he did, and came back in the following year. The primary feudal lords signed the treaty. When this happened, there were many outcries in Japan, as many old-liners did not want foreigners on Japanese soil. The leaders, however, saw the ships, and wanted the technology, and the power. The actual power of the ships with their cannons was demonstrated for them, on Japanese soil, at two different times. According to Reischauer, in his book, The Japanese, when samurai soldiers had killed an Englishman, and, again, when men of one of the feudal lords fired on a Western ship that was passing through one of the straits of Japan. Both incidents were met with horrific power, when, in the first incident, the capital city of Kagoshima was leveled by cannon fire, and in the second incident, the forts of the feudal lord were destroyed. This made their desire for such power even greater.3 Battle For Control In Japan Shortly after the signing of the treaty with Commodore Perry, the forces of the Emperor, and of those loyal to him, waged war on the feudal lords, and the last shogun. In 1868, the last war was fought, and Prince Mutsuhito ascended to the throne. He was only 15 at the time, and became the 122nd Emperor of the country. He took for himself the title Meiji, which means the enlightened ruler. His place on the throne of Japan symbolized a return to the power of the Emperor, and his reign was characterized as a Restoration. Meijis Restoration – The Modernization of Japan Meiji immediately set out to unify and centralize the government. This he did with great success, and he had made a number of the old feudal lords high officials in his government. After the stabilization, he began to immediately modernize the country, as many called it. To the Emperor, there was no difference between modernization and Westernization, simply because there were no “modern” nations in the Orient. Meiji himself adopted the dress and appearance of some leaders of the Western world. He wore a beard, dressed in a military uniform, and wore many medals - a pattern set by a number of European royalty.4 Feeling that the treaty that was made with the United States was not even, Japan sent 100 people to the United States to set preliminary discussions about getting a more balanced treaty, and to learn as much as they could about this powerful country, and Europe. After a two year trip, and no new treaty, the group returned to Japan and brought back amazing stories of wealth, technology, and a country much more advanced than their own. But they also learned three other things, according to Eugene Soviak. First, they saw that Japan could not compete with the West because of its wealth and power, and secondly, that Japan was in great need for reform if it ever would be able to deal with the West on an equal footing. Thirdly, they saw that the West had not been modern all that long, and that the West was not uniformly rich and powerful. It was the return of this group, with their report, that brought about the drastic changes that followed.5 Some Of The Changes That Were Made 1. The Modern Conveniences The group that went on tour had come back with glowing reports of modern conveniences of trains, good roads, steam ships, sanitation, and gas lights. These were all added rather quickly to Japan. Since this was done early in the time of the Movement, it appears, at this point that there was no noticeable difference between modernization and Westernization. 2. The Educational System The modernization of Japan brought about early reforms in the educational system. The country set out with a plan to modernize the educational system in order to bring it up to more Western standards. However, difficulty was encountered when they discovered that many Western nations did not have the same system of education. Thus, finding a workable model was difficult, and their educational reforms met with failure, more than once. This led to Japan seeking to modernize, but did so apart from Westernization. It is at this point, that the difference begins to be seen. Michio Nagai, in “Transformation of Education,” described this change: Thus after 1872 resistance to Westernization was coupled in complex ways with a search for a distinctively Japanese approach to modernization. After nearly twenty years of trial and error, the promulgation of the Imperial Rescript in 1890 put an end to this search and modern Japanese education entered a period of stability through the temporary completion of Japanization. Thereafter Japan moved along its own peculiar road to modernization.6 It is at this point that a separation between Westernization and modernization becomes obvious, especially to those within the borders of Japan. Western methods were applied, and had failed in education. Japan, however, continued pursuing their great need for modernization. 3. Dress and Styles The Japanese quickly adopted western dress - as well as the haircuts, styles, and even some mannerisms. The change was dramatic. Meiji’s own wearing of Western styles, being that there was a form of Emperor worship taking place, led to an even more thorough change in appearance. The effect, however, of such rapid growth, was not balanced by a sense of the worth of their own traditions. They were ready to forget their time-honored traditions. They had sought to immerse themselves too quickly in the customs, dress, and technology, of those they considered to be superior to themselves.7 In fact, strangely enough, it was some of the foreigners who tried to teach them that they needed to hold on to some of these ancient traditions of the past. 4. Government The Japanese government sent Ito Hirobumi on a fact-finding mission to Europe to discover information and advice on constitutions and other matters of government. He became greatly impressed with Austria and Germany, and stayed there a long time. Finally, he recommended, at Bismarck’s request that three advisors should be appointed to help bring about governmental reforms – and it was granted. This led to other reforms in the government. 5. Literature The development of new literature was largely stifled in the period of the 1870’s. The reason – the Japanese people wanted the literature of the West translated into their own language and they were reading it. They were hungry for Western novels and anything that could give them light on the traditions and customs of the West. Summary of the Changes Japan saw a need of modernization because it understood that their civilization could not compare with the Western world. But what model was it to follow – would it not have been best to follow those who had already shown the path to modernization? In approximately 30 years of time, Japan had totally changed under the leadership of Meiji, the enlightened one. Military victories had also taken place that began to bring great national pride to the Japanese. They had fought the Chinese and won. They fought Korea, and won, and they fought the Russians – and won. These battles meant that now they were the superpower of the East. It was Meiji who received the honor: Until a hundred years ago our country was said to be the weakest and poorest in Asia and we were despised by Europe and America. The great increase in our national strength that has taken place in so short a time is due to the virtue of our wise sovereign, who at an early date decreed a constitutional form of government and opened our Parliament…”8 Conclusion Japan was at a crossroads and unable to cross into the future, nor was it able to meet with America, or the West, as an equal. Through Meiji, the country was able to take a leap into a certain unknown, and to modernize. It found its own way, though spurred on by the Western model. But it adapted, after a while, and sought its own way to bring forth the country into the modern world. Now that Japan has arrived, however, it can no longer follow that Western model, as it has passed its model, and now it must chart its own way, once again into unknown territory. One of their own leaders under Meiji, named Fukazawa, summed up the growth of Japan, and the course it took: “Japan needed a new kind of citizen who was unfettered by the restrictions of the past and open to new ways of thinking about self and society. ‘Heaven did not create men above men, nor set men below men.” …each individual was free to go as far as his own hard work, pluck, diligence, and perseverance would take him.9 The western model was the only model that Japan had for modernization; but once that was no longer needed, it continues to modernize – without Westernization. Endnotes 1 McNeill, William H., The Rise of The West: A History of The Human Community (Chicago: University of Chicago) p. 567. 2 Ibid. 3 Reischauer, Edwin O., The Japanese (Cambridge: Belknap Press) 1977; p.80. 4 Ibid, p. 82. 5 Soviak, Eugene; Journal of The Iwakura Embassy, Tradition and Modernization In Japanese Culture; ed. by Donald Shively (Princeton: Princeton University Press) 1971; pp.7,8. 6 Nagai, Michio, Transformation of Education; Tradition and Modernization In Japanese Culture; ed. by Donald Shively (Princeton: Princeton University Press) 1971; p.37. 7 Shively, Donald, Japanization of The Middle Meiji, Tradition and Modernization In Japanese Culture; ed. by Donald Shively (Princeton: Princeton University Press) 1971; p.81. 8 Ibid, p.113. 9 McClain, James L., A Modern History of Japan (New York: W.W. Norton & Co.) 2002, p.178. Bibliography McClain, James L., A Modern History of Japan (New York: W.W. Norton & Co.) 2002, p.178. McNeill, William H., The Rise of The West: A History of The Human Community (Chicago: University of Chicago) p. 567. Nagai, Michio, Transformation of Education; Tradition and Modernization In Japanese Culture; ed. by Donald Shively (Princeton: Princeton University Press) 1971; p.37. Reischauer, Edwin O., The Japanese (Cambridge: Belknap Press) 1977; p.80. Shively, Donald, Japanization of The Middle Meiji, Tradition and Modernization In Japanese Culture; ed. by Donald Shively (Princeton: Princeton University Press) 1971; p.81. Soviak, Eugene; Journal of The Iwakura Embassy, Tradition and Modernization In Japanese Culture; ed. by Donald Shively (Princeton: Princeton University Press) 1971; pp.7,8. Read More