August 3 - Reading assignments - Discussion

[Rob_Hugo@PortNW]

Hi everyone,

Please use this thread to post questions and discussion on your reading assignments for Monday, August 3:

- Japan: The Meiji Transition
- Imperial Japan and the Pacific War

-Miranda

[Anonymous]

I enjoyed the readings from Japan at War (I've already ordered my own copy via amazon booksellers...there were many used copies available for around $5 each!) I think that these oral histories, combined with the MIT "Visualizing Cultures: Ground Zero 1945" will make a fascinating study for students of WWII. I'm brainstorming a lesson for World History in which students would take an oral history from Japan at War and turn it into a children's book in the fashion of "Ground Zero." I would than make these student books available to others during our SSR. I think this would scaffold nicely with the home front stories they will hear about the following year in U.S. History.

[Anonymous]

I enjoyed reading about the Meiji Restoration. I teach a lesson on Women in Meiji Japan for my APWH course and this will help fill some of the gaps in terms of the transition of the government during the Meiji Revolution. I originally thought it was more of a top down process and was surprised to learn that there was considerable bottom-up participation from the population. I also wasn't aware of the role of Shinto in this transformation and how Shinto itself had been revamped to fit state goals of nationalism. I originally thought that Neo-confucianism played a more important role in the transition from Tokugawa Japan to the Meiji period, particularly the idea of what it meant to be a "Good Wife and Wise Mother". I will be sure to bring in more on Shinto when covering the Meiji period. :}

[Anonymous]

I thought it was interesting that Japan took what happened between Britain and China to heart and opened up trade with America. their approach of adopting western technologies and political practices that will help transform Japan into the first modern Asian nation was fascinating. They proved time and time again that they can turn on a dime once they set their mind to it.

I was also interested to read how Shinto culture was redefined as a national religion designed to support the Emperor and the govt.

I would love to put this in 10th modern world imperialist comparison from the perspective of the colonists (Japan, China, India, Mexico, etc.)

[Anonymous]

Thanks Libby for info on cheap copies. I order cheap used copies of videos through Amazon too. The oral histories are interesting and parts of them will be good with the kids - maybe have different groups in class read diff selections, then share the part they read with the rest of the class. They show how people in diff. walks of life were affected. I would also like to see when these people were interviewed as this has an effect on "memory." I read the section about being trained with bamboo spears out loud to my husband on Sunday. He thought they would be well qualified to work with our magical ninjas. We both mentioned the old adage about bringing a "gun to a knife fight." I guess, spiritually this can make people feel stronger.

re.: Readings from Tokutomi Soho - I found his transformation of thinking fascinating. Many writers, politicians, every day people transform their political ideas through their lives, but here we see it so clearly in the different stages from a liberal to an imperialist. I almost wonder if he was somewhat Marxist in his early writings, "limiting of military power by wealth constitutes the first victory for democracy in the world. To limit wealth by labor would be the second victory . . ." He later comments after the war, that Japan had only themselves to blame; yet, it isn't for the actions they took, but for misjudging others and themselves. He doesn't seem too apologetic.

Re. "Hirohito and History" - Many of our textbooks still give the emperor an easy deal, continuing the myth that he was just a puppet of the military oligarchy. I think many of us have taught this. Despite this, I do see why the American military supported by Truman believed it was important to keep the emperor. Maybe they were right. Maybe the Japanese did cooperate more with surrender because he was still there as a figurehead, though powerless. It is one of those "what ifs" in history.

[Anonymous]

Readings;
Re; Edict to Subjugate the Shogun Torugawa Toshinobu etc.

The transition from the shogunate to the “imperial restoration” seems so very smooth, on paper…from the letter of Resignation, which recognizes that the shift must be supported by the efforts of the whole people to endure Japan “will be able to maintain its rank and dignity among the nations of the earth.” The new government is quick to be sure that the role and the position of the Emperor is clear and there is to be no question as to who is in charge. The Charter oath of 1868 furthers established the rules in which this new regime will work. There will be order in Japan, but there is also a “focus on public and private concerns. Finally the constitution of 1868, reiterates the Charter oath, while providing insight into “the nature of the Restoration”, the ideas of a top to bottom rule and the calling for qualified men to serve as members of the assembly demonstrates the desire to have participation not only for the upper ranks but from the lower ranks of the people. The idea that officials shall not discuss the affairs of the state in their own homes with unofficial persons is dictated, is interesting to me…. Everything is laid out so very clear!

I will definitely share this constitution and the transition of the government with my students!

[Anonymous]

The Meiji restoration did indeed seem smooth on paper, but we all know from class sessions (and for those of us who teach World History, outside of class sessions) that it was choked full of disruption and disorder. The uprisings of the samurai, the restructuring of the countryside and removing power from the daimyo was extremely difficult. Had it not been for a very large amount of support for the emperor (and the view of him as a god), it would have been far rockier and less likely to succeed. The advisors he had on his side definitely did an excellent job in helping to draft the 1868 constitution. Everything in it displays order and efficiency of government, something that was critical in the transformation of Japan from its old traditional ways into a powerful modern country capable of taking on Western nations politically and militarily.

[Anonymous]

I thought that it was interesting that in the Charter Oath that the first statement says ”…all matters decided by public discussion”(275). Yet it was the oligarchs who seem to have been making a majority of the decisions regarding the set up of the new government. And on top of that they were not elected by the public but were appointed… so where is the public choice in that. (I know later on in the document it goes on to state how people shall get to office, but if memory serves Morgan said only a few people could vote)
I do like the fact that the people where allowed to freely choose their calling in life so that they where no discontent with their job. I think that this is something that some people take for granted. Under normal circumstances if we are not happy with our job we can quit, go back to school/ or not, and start a new job/ career that we enjoy. I wonder how the people of Japan reacted to the news.
[Edit by="slopez on Aug 4, 7:00:41 PM"][/Edit]

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