Change and Resistance - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Change and Resistance

Focus Question:

In what ways did resistance to

rapid change

lead to a return to a

traditional Japanese worldview?Slide2

1870s. Hundreds of Western workers moved into specially designated areas of Yokohama, Nagasaki, Osaka and Tokyo.

Japanese who visited Americans and other Westerners studied the construction of their houses and examined their furnishings – sofas, armchairs, mirrors, china and cutlery. Then they would try to recreate a “Western room” in their own homes. They would hang a mirror on a wall and install a glass window pane or two in their paper sliding screens. In the middle of the room, on a patterned carpet laid over their straw floor mats, they would place a table with a tasselled tablecloth.

Once the renovations were complete, a Japanese homeowner might invite his friends for a visit. They would sit in his chairs, eat meat with knives and forks, and sip Western champagne instead of Japanese sake. Some guests might wear kimonos, the traditional dress worn for centuries in Japan; others might wear Western business suits.

To many Japanese, adopting Western ways and learning how to speak English were symbols of their becoming “modern.” Other Japanese, however, were concerned about “too much” Westernization.

Q: Why do you think some Japanese people wanted to copy Western ways in their homes?Slide3

Introduction

Do you and your grandparents (or parents) agree about new trends? Why or why not?

What tensions can disagreements about changes in society create?

In Japanese society, changes took place in a short space of time – how could this pace magnify tensions?

Many people of all classes in Meiji Japan were open to new ideas and ways

The wealthy bought Western clothes and goods for their houses

Those who could not afford these followed Western ideas in other ways

“Village Constitutions” were drawn up

Other people were more

conservative –

they wanted to keep traditional ways

This created a conflict between those who wanted to change and those who wanted

things to

stay the sameSlide4

The March of Westernization

Many of the changes that were taking place in Japan could be put under the title Westernization

The

adoption

of Western ideas and ways

Follows the slogan/quote:

“Civilization and Enlightenment”

The Meiji Government wanted to change the unequal treaties

They thought the only way to do this was to win respect for Japan by showing it as a modern and “civilized” country

It was also thought that Westernization would create a stronger and more competitive Japan

Cultural changes were becoming increasingly evident in Japan

Foreign books and newspapers were available after 1871

Newspapers were readily available

for

the public to learn about changes

They tried to convince citizens to adopt the “new and improved” ideasSlide5
Slide6

Cultural Changes

Westerners who came to Japan during the 1800s were mostly intolerant to Japanese customs

As such, Japanese officials made certain behaviour illegal

Japanese workmen often only wore loincloths when the weather was

warm, but they soon

had to “wear a shirt or tunic, properly closed”

Tattooing was prohibited after 1872

Public baths were ordered to be closed Slide7

Changes in the Palace

Court etiquette was even changed to please Westerners

Western diplomats were not used to removing their shoes during an imperial

audience, so the palace provided

carpets instead of

traditional

tatami mats

The emperor learned to shake hands and to constantly smile

They even served European style foodSlide8

Western Dress

Japanese men were urged by the government to stop wearing kimonos and start wearing pants and suit coats

By the 1870s, all important Japanese men had short hair

Some even grew beards and moustaches

Uniforms were changed to resemble western style

Military,

police officers,

and train conductors

Emperor Meiji represented the connection between the old and the new in Japan

Wore Western style uniform (even after it was out of fashion)

Still kept to the samurai values of modesty and thrift

Wore clothes until they fell apart

Doctors were to try both Eastern and Western medicine

He was involved in matters of state, but still wrote poetrySlide9

Deer Cry Pavilion

It was thought by many Japanese that Westernization had gone too far

Especially after the Deer Cry Pavilion had been built by the government

Deer Cry Pavilion was a very fancy European style building where Westerners were entertained

Buffet tables were full of imported European gourmet food

Cuban cigars, card games and billiards were popular

French

and German musicians performedSlide10

Backlash Against Westernization

The Japanese were often mocked as to how quickly they adopted Western customs

After a time, it became obvious that although foreign diplomats were willing to eat, drink and be merry with the Japanese, they were not willing to renegotiate the “unequal treaties”

Deer Cry Pavilion was closed – a

backlash

was brewing against Westernization

They dance quite properly, my Japanese in Parisian gowns. But one senses that it is something drilled into them that they perform like automatons, without any personal initiative.

-

Pierre

LottiSlide11

Returning to Old Values

Japanese society had gone through a period of incredibly rapid change

Many people were made to change or feel embarrassed about their traditions

The rapid change had produced tensions in society

Traditions, customs and beliefs were very important to them

It was recognized by leaders that Westernization needed to slow down

“Civilization and Enlightenment” was changed to

“Western Science, Japanese essence.”

Adapt

Western ways with Japanese ways – a compromise of sorts

They wanted to make Japan strong and successful – how did Western countries do this?

Common religion

Loyalty to country and elected leaders

How could these values be adapted to Japanese worldview?Slide12

A State Religion & Emperor Worship

For hundreds of years, both Shinto and Buddhism had been accepted religions in Japan

Many people in fact followed a combination of the two

Now, however, Buddhism was discouraged and the traditional Shinto was declared the official religion of Japan

The

emperor, who

had been highly

respected, was

now officially given the status of a godSlide13

Constitutional Government?

Japan started to change its government to reflect a blending of old and new ways

Japan wanted to design a constitution to show their distinct culture and incorporate the “best” parts of Western thinking about government

A constitutional study mission was sent to other countries to

researchSlide14

A New Constitution

The emperor's powers were labeled “sacred and inviolable” in the new constitution, they can't be challenged or dishonoured

Citizens were granted freedom of speech and religion

Had rights to privacy, property, movement and

legal

rights

Freedom of speech did not last long,

having

different political views

was not

encouraged

An imperial diet (government) consisted of two houses

House of Peers (royalty and nobility)

House of Representatives (elected)

The constitution favoured a strong central government