the
MEIJI TIMES 1868- 1912 OF THE MEIJI PERIOD
Meiji takes step to improve the economy! Under the pressure of the west and
compacted with financial problems,
major changes were established
isolation from the world. To be
crisis. First, early today the
Japan decides to put an end to the equal with the western countries,
Inside this issue
Turn the page for more information on the Meiji Period.
today to overcome the economic
exchange of clan notes or paper
Emperor Meiji makes a resolution
money was suspended and it is
to become a “rich country” with a
currency of yen. Since the failing
to solve the financial problems and
Above is a picture of the first railway line to be constructed between Tokyo and Yokohama and another line to be built between Kobe and Osaka.
currency lying in chaos. Three
“strong military”.
In order to
succeed that goal, it is mandatory
to overcome the financial problems
rooted in Japan. Problems such as
inflation running high, internal
revenue
dropping,
and
obligatory to follow the new unit of of the American system, Japan’s banks has been in poor condition. (continued on pg 2)
By: Jennifer Chen
the
pg 1- Meiji takes step to improve the economy pg 2- Japan comes to peace once more pg 3- Japan comes to peace once more cont’d pg 4- Fashion sense pg 5- Editorial section (Westernization) pg 6- Interview with Yishunato (woman’s rights) pg 7- Political Cartoon and map
Page 1
It is decided that American system
The first railway line is carefully
brought the war to an end. The
between Tokyo and Yokohama and
Japan with the main provisions of
of banking will be changed to the
planned
The
another similar line to be built
European-style system of banking. emperor
hopes
that
by
changing the system to European style,
will
help
the
financial
problems. The last change is a new
introduction to land tax. Due to
the trouble of financial problems, since 1873, the government had
to
be
constructing
from Kobe to Osaka. Hopefully,
the telegraph lines can soon link
all the major Japanese cities together,
making
transportation.
it
an
easy
used harsh taxation to erase the
treaty was given the advantage to Russia
recognizing
Japan’s
interests in Korea, the lease of the Peninsula will be transferred to Japan, Russia surrendering its
control of the South Manchurian
Railway to Japan, Japan gets hold of the southern half of the island of Sakhalin and both nations had
heavy public spending. With the
agreed not to interfere with any
new amendment introduced today
decision China might make in the
of the new land tax, it is hoping to
future to develop Manchuria. At
decrease the tax paid by the
the Imperial conference held last
Since 1868, Japan was a non-
Russia’s rights in Manchuria if
peasants.
year, Japan offered to recognize
industrialized country, so early in
Russia
the morning Meiji declared the launch
of
engineering,
heavy
mining
industry,
will
be
opened
soon.
Various institutions will be created
in
recognize
Korea.
its
However,
Russia did not agree to the offer.
(continued on page 3)
and
engineering, technical and naval schools
interests
would
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for training in the manufacture of guns and the best Japanese
students will be sent abroad to
master the techniques required in
the key industries. The Meiji
government is planning to employ
the best foreign experts to increase mineral
production
in
Japan.
With these changes, Japan will
soon become a leading country.
With these in mind, Meiji decides to build modern communications such as the telegraph and railway.
Japan comes to peace once more! The Russo-Japanese war has come to an end. Accepting the offer made
by Theodore Roosevelt, President of the United States of America,
the bloody war between Japan
and Russia has come to a final
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stop. The signing of the Treaty of Portsmouth was held yesterday on September 5th, 1905, which finally
Page 2
On February 8th, 1904, naval forces
also a big turning point for
Arthur, two days after that event,
(See page 6 for map)
caused severe damage at the Port war was declared. Within three
months of the Russo-Japanese
Japan’s hisotry.
By: Haijigomo Nanimakey
war, Russian troops were driven out
of
Korea.
Although
the
Japanese army may suffer heavy losses, they had pushed north into
Manchuria, crossing the Yalu River and capturing Port Arthur and then the city of Mukden. The
Japanese navy under Admiral Togo routed the Russian fleet in
The massacre at Port Arthur between 1894 to 1895. This deadly battle killed though it was a bloody battle, up to 60,000 Chinese. Japan had won victory and Japan the Straits of Tsushima. Even
is at peace once more. Japan had
"A gigantic fleet... has massed in Pearl Harbor. This fleet will be utterly crushed with one blow at the very beginning of hostilities...Heaven will bear witness to the righteousness of our struggle." -Rear-Admiral Ito (Chief of Staff of the Combined Fleet)
now gone through wars with the -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
two powerful countries, China and
Russia. With these two wars, Japan
has
proved
to
Sushi Rice Receipe
other Want to know how to make sushi? Here are the simple countries its strong military. Nine ingredients and steps to years ago, ships were sunk and make a sushi! men ruthlessly shot at Port Sushi Rice Arthur. The bloody war fought in 600 ml Water Port Arthur lasted three months, 60 ml Rice Vinegar but turned out to be one of the 30 ml Sugar fiercest battles Japan had ever 5 ml Salt fought. Killing everyone they saw, corpses laid helplessly on the street.
Many Chinese died in that way,
shot, fired, slashed or raped. With
the loss of control, the Japanese
Wash and cook the rice. Prepare your sushi vinegar, mixing bowl and fan your rice. You’re done!
soon took control. This massacre
and the rest of the Sino-Japanese war greatly threatened Japan’s international reputation, but was
Page 3
FASHION SENSE
Western fashions are coming to Japan! Before the laws passed by the shogun in 1643 imposed a dress code that revealed an individual’s social status. Only members of the higher class like the nobles or members of the military class were permitted to wear luxurious, and decorate themselves with fancy sashes. Upper classes could wear silks and satins while the peasants were limited to hemp and cotton. But now that the laws have been abolished, people are allowed to wear whatever they please. The government even decided that Western dress should be worn for all court and ofGicial ceremonies. The fashion of wearing western style clothes started after the emperor appeared in western dress, government ofGicials and the educated leaders began wearing western style clothing in public. Shortly afterwards, women also began wearing western dresses in public, following the example of the Empress. The women now wear western dress or Japanese kimono.
Page 4
Western style clothing are seen. In this picture, a girl is posing with her white silky dress. Everywhere one looks around; people are wearing western style clothing, even having western style haircuts. Following the example of the emperor who cut off his topknot, many Japanese men nowadays began to do likewise. Nowadays having mustaches and beards became the norm. Today it is also found very fashionable to wear hats and watches. By Kabonaki Nunando
Editorial Section Westernization
Now everywhere one glimpses, is the site of westernization. The Japanese people are now becoming all westernized and as the development of westernization goes on, it is a closer step to losing our own culture. I think it is very pointless to follow the west. As I was a samurai before, I have seen how westernization has affected many lives of the samurai. The wonderful, luxurious privileges we once had, are all gone and replaced; even the old feudal hierarchy is replaced with new social classes. I believe this way of classing people is not beneGicial. It is just a way of Meiji wanting to remove the privileges we once had. When I was still a young samurai, the wearing of swords and topknots were mandatory, which were the signs of a true samurai. Now that westernization starts to happen, the wearing of swords are now optional and allowed men to cut off their topknots. Many samurais refused to do so, including me, as that action is insulting the rights of the samurais. As years past, conscripted civilians took over the military roles of samurais and soon the wearing of swords were prohibited in public except on ceremonials occasions. The sudden drop of privileges even led to a rebellion which was the Satsuma Rebellion. My friend, Saigo Takamori, who was a very strong leader of the Satsum forces, led the rebellion. With 30,000 ex samurai, they had a battle against government forces. I was a part of that rebellion but soon the rebellion was defeated and took the life of my friend. The government’s only goal was to become a powerful country but does not take good care of its citizens. The Japanese living in towns and cities are keen to adopt western ideas and fashions.
As for food, clothing and education, all will be changed in the attempt to imitate all aspects of western culture. At the present, the world is dominated by western countries, in order to be equal it was necessary to adopt not only Western science and technology but all aspects of Western culture. That I do not agree. I believe it is best to stay with traditional institutions and believes that Japan could only become strong if it had a revolution in values and ideas. Imitating the west will not solve that problem, nor will it make us equal to the west. To be equal, we have to develop our own beliefs and thinking and have our unique way of living life. That is what I believe is right. By: Hotoshibu Ashitowa
Satsuma rebellion: a war between exsamurai and the Meiji government.
Page 5
I N T E RV I E W W I T H YISHUNATO
Mino: Hi everyone, welcome to today’s interview with Yishunato, a normal woman living in Japan. Today we will be talking about woman’s rights. So...nice to meet you Yishunato. Yishunato: Hello, nice to meet you too. Mino: Let’s start with what you think about the new laws of woman’s right in Japan. Yishunato: Well...I think that it is very unreasonable how our status dropped to be so low. We no longer have personal property at home and outside the house we have no status. M i n o : Wo w. . . t h a t i s v e r y unreasonable. Were there any other changes? Yishunato: Yes. The house I live in belongs to the male members of the household and my children belong to my husband. I have no property, rights or children. We are forbidden to make public speeches and are banned to participate in any political activities. What is more unfair is that we can not even listen to the political speeches! It is so inequitable. Mino: I see. I never knew the new law can change the life of a woman. I only heard about the flesh trade. What do you have to say about the flesh trade?
Yishunato: Well... my little sister was traded to Singapore which was the centre of brothel prostitution in South East Asia. She was sold off by our parents when she was only ten years old, because our family was too poor and had no choice. I haven’t heard from her since. Mino: That is very unfortunate. You should be grateful you do not have the faith like your sister. To sum up this interview, do you have anything you wish to add? Yishunato: I just hope that the flesh trade will end soon and the unfaithful Japanese girls can find a way out of brothel prostitution.
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Mino: Thank you for being in this interview. We learnt a lot from what you’ve told us about the new law of woman’s rights and this will be the end of our Sunday Interview. Yishunato: Thank you.
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Japans’ new law of women rights dropped all the women’s statuses.
Page 6
Westernization- Political Cartoon
In order to keep up with the West, Japan decides to westernize. They started having bubble bath like the west, while using Japan’s O-Furo (Japanese tub).
Russo- Japanese War Map (Refer to page 2)