Session 12/15/09 - Japan: The Meiji Transition

[Rob_Hugo@PortNW]

I really enjoyed tonight's session about the Meiji Transition. Urbanization is definitely a part of the Japanese Psyche -- partly due to cultural necessity and acclimating to different governances over the years.

One of the hardest topic for discussion during my stay in Japan was the topic of the Burakumin, the untouchables of Japan. I remember trying to find some information or have conversations with my Japanese colleagues about this societal group but received vague answers or polite nodding of the head.

Has anyone else had this type of experience? [Edit by="seun on Jan 24, 11:44:54 AM"][/Edit]

[Anonymous]

It is fascinating to learn how the Japanese adopted many times of foreign systems and then incorporate them into their culture with their own unique style. They adopted the Chinese form of central government by maintaining an emperor, but gave military power to the Shogun. They allowed Buddhism to enter their land, but continue their own native beliefs as well, leading to the syncretism of Buddhism and Shintoism. And finally they incorporated the western ideas of democracy and the industrial revolution but development them with a distinctive Japanese character. It was truly amazing to discover how quickly Japan evolved from a feudal state to an industrialized nation in such a short time span.

[Anonymous]

What an interesting evening. Our guest lecturer was so engaging, I told him, that he kept my attention and interest the entire time, even though I had taught 6 classes and been up since 5am that day! BRAVO!
I was quite intrigued by the Constitution of 1889 (hope the date is correct). The Mission that traveled the US and Europe seems to have spent some time in Prussia and finally settled on that country's constitution as a model. I found that odd as Bismarck, I know, had formulated that document with the aim of consolidating power for the Kaiser (and for himself as Chancellor). Since many of the people throughout Japan were urging political reforms (the local drafts of 'constitutions' found most recently) I was surprised that one was adopted that gave such little power to the populace. The Professor, however, explained that that was a constitution that the Mission and those involved in the reform felt they could 'sell' to the country. I guess the Samurai, and bureaucrats still had much power.
The Meijii Restoration discussion gave me a clearer insight into how and why Japan could continue with its Asian conquests in the 20th century.
The rapid development of Japan at this time reminds me of the rapid development of modern-day Korea after the Korean War...

[Anonymous]

I know there were a great many ideas presented the other night from which to direct this reply. The one, however, that resonated with me the most was how the Meiji recognized the necessity to move their capitol city to Edo, but renamed the city to Tokyo before they moved their base of operations.

Why would they do this? Was it ego that would not allow them to live in a city where the Tokugawa family ruled? Or was it so the Tokugawa regime could somewhat save face? Was this a piece of mercy? I don't have an answer, but I love the question.

I try to imagine a piece of mercy of that magnitude. This is a question I am sure I will be researching. I use to love chasing ghosts like this. It has been a while since I have been this academically curious. It feels good.

Thank you Professor Pitelka for the stimulus.

Till next time peeps,
Thomas

[clay dube]

Sarah focuses on an important issue. We've twice visited a human rights museum located in an office building in Osaka. It's located in what was a burakumin district. Exhibits document the segregation of people and discrimination that has continued despite legal prohibitions on such status distinctions. Not surprising, Americans find discrimination that wasn't rooted in race/ethnicity hard to fathom.

Please look in the Asia in My Classroom forum for posts on how Google, libraries, and museums are wrestling with the question of publishing maps which show "outcast" districts. Check on the thread on teaching about contemporary Japan.

Here's a Japan Times column on ongoing discrimination, including hate speak on the web:
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20090120zg.html

[Anonymous]

Interesting article. Having taken high school students on an exchange program to Osaka gave me some slight insight into this issue. Some students were housed with families far from the high school, requiring what we Americans consider a long train ride to school, while others were with more well to do local families in Osaka. I needed to relocate one student, where there were multiple problems with the placement, but the school officials "handled" it quickly and efficiently, I think. :0
I am reminded of my own high school exchange program. We travelled from Portland, to Medford, Oregon and stayed in homes of students. Not such a big trip, distance wise, but a big trip in terms of the divisive community we visited. The other side of the tracks phenomenom was real, with a railroad track separating/dividing the community more by poverty level then ethnicity. As I enjoy my Harry and David holiday pears and apples, I am reminded that discrimination does exist in America, within the same race.

[Anonymous]

Wow. It was a great session. Am definitely proud to be an Oxy alum. And am saddened that the Professor Pitelka wasnt around back in my day. I found the presentation quite informative and at times overwhelming. Just because I do not know that much about the country within the context of my current teaching assignment. While teaching middle school (more than a decade ago) I recall some of the topics. Like Stan, I really enjoyed the discussion on the Samuri and the Meiji restoration. I do each the latter, but so a very superfiscal explaination for my students. I look forward to receiving the powerpt so as to use it with my students. I want to know more about Japan now. The professor was very engaging and I am looking forward to the next lecture. thanks!

[Anonymous]

I found Professor Pitelka's lecture to be very interesting, especially his detailed discussion of foreign influence in Japan and the eventual Meiji Restoration.

One of the things I most thoroughly have always enjoyed about history is that it repeats itself. It may not be in the exact same context, but we can look at these patterns and discern outcomes without knowing the exact details.

When Prof. Pitelka discussed the Iwakura Mission I remembered the Zheng He missions that occurred in China only several hundred years prior. This idea of bringing back "otherness" to observe or to incorporate has long been a part of Chinese, Korean, Japanese and Vietnamese history. All of these areas have dominated or been dominated by each other and have influenced their individuality and their history.

Prof. Pitelka discussed the idea of Japan wanting to be like the Americans in the mid-1800's and I find it ironic now that many technologies we have here in America are made and improved upon by the Japanese. There is still such a close knit relationship between the Japanese and American cultures (i.e. Mai ca) that our differences are more accepted.

[Anonymous]

Thanks professor Dube for the Japan Times link on the Burakumin; I just got around to reading it and I was struck by a sentence from the article,

"On the Internet, where people are less likely to be held accountable for what they say, things are different"

One of the important skills that students need to learn when utilizing the internet is learning to sift information and research effectively. As I was reading the article, I had an idea for a comparison study, where students research one common topic. Students can choose to work in groups or alone and explore the internet to get information about their topic. I haven't fleshed out the details of this plan but the goal is to find out why certain information is relevant and irrelevant in the realm of effective research. One of the problems I have had in the past with students is telling the difference between borrowing data and plagiarizing. In the era where copying and pasting is rampant, students need to have a discerning eye on the types of information that they are using when researching.

I would appreciate some feedback from other educators who have done lessons on effective research.

[Anonymous]

This was an interesting session because of all the topics so far, I think this is the one I knew the least about. One standout subtopic was the fact that if a Japanese family didn't have a son, they would "adopt" one into the family to marry the daughter and/or take over the family business. It made me wonder about the modern women's role in Japan.

I went to Tokyo, Japan with my family on a mini-vacation when I was in grade school, and my mom pointed out how many women walked a few steps behind their husbands. (We even ran into an American "woman of the night" who was so happy to speak English with us--she probably shocked the heck out of my missionary parents, but that's a story for another time!) Granted, this was in the early '80's, but this wasn't so long ago. I was in Osaka only overnight about 10 years ago on the way to Guam (I don't recommend Guam!), so I didn't get a real feel for what the average Japanese woman's life was like. One interesting thing--at my hotel in Osaka, they sent a female hotel employee up with me in the elevator to cart my suitcase and show me the room, even though there were more male bellhops around.

Even in movies and TV shows, the business people in Japan are always men. Is it still a pretty traditional society?

[Anonymous]

I really enjoyed tonight's session about the Meiji Transition. I also enjoyed learned how Japan has adopted different systems and incorporate them into their culture with their own unique style.

[Anonymous]

One of my dreams is to one day go to Japan. However, I definitely knew nothing (or very very little) of this dream play I'd like to go to some day. The japanese culture has always seemed fascinating to me.

I too found the fact that if a Japanese family didn't have a son, they would "adopt" one into the family to marry the daughter and/or take over the family business, very interesting. I wasn't sure if the daughter freely chose this man, or if the family chose him for her. That's a huge decision deciding who would best benefit their family business. A question raised in class made me think as well, what would happen if the man sabotaged it or did not have the business' or family's best interest in mind? There's a reason for that saying, "Don't miss business with pleasure" 😎

[Anonymous]

In Korea, they have a similar practice (especially in the old days). The son-in-law becomes like a "surrogate" son and takes over the care of his wife's father's business. Often times "surrogate" sons are orphans whose ability and talents and loyalty are discovered by successful business men who have no sons. A marriage proposal is usually initiated by the father, and the daughter usually goes along with her father's decision, unless she completely detests the groom. Her wishes are respected at the end despite the pressure. Regarding “sabotaging the business,” the surrogate sons have no reasons to do that because the business is now theirs, they don’t want to ruin themselves.

[Anonymous]

This is a part of Japanese history which has always been vague to me, and I could never get a good understanding of it. This session really helped me to put some of the pieces of the puzzle in the right places.

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