One day (1853) more than three hundred years after the new sea route was opened, a group of bored Americans received a task from the president - to deliver a message to Japan. So they followed Admiral Perry of the U.S. East India Squadron and drove two ships and two sailing ships into Japan's Kaga Port.
At this time, Japan was still in the Edo period . During this period, Japan adopted a closed-door policy in order not to be disturbed by other countries. However, this does not stop the free America from wanting to make friends with Japan. The purpose of their trip is to send the Japanese Edo Shogunate a letter from the President of the United States requesting the founding of the country.
Although Americans have good ideas, they overestimate the psychological endurance of the Japanese. Perry believed that the best way to carry out the mission was the threat of force. They covered four ships with mud and loaded them with guns. After the Japanese witnessed the ruthless bombardment of them by the huge steaming black warships, they developed a sense of crisis that they were about to be invaded - Japanese history called it " Black Ship Incident " .
Black Ship Incident
The Americans used their abundant martial ethics to prove to Japan the strength gap between the two sides. Due to reasons that could not be refused, the Edo shogunate approved the founding request in 1854 and concluded the "Kanagawa Convention" with the United States.
Some people may not realize the seriousness of the matter. This matter is equivalent to the door of the country being opened by foreigners! At this time when the country was in danger, Japanese patriots launched a craze to save the country.
Samurai of the Satsuma Domain (now known as Kagoshima)
1. The Bushido of Inferiority
In 1884, the reporter of "Jiji Shinpo" Takahashi Yoshio published "On the Improvement of the Japanese Race" . The book writes: "Japanese men divorce their wives and marry Western women to have children to improve the race." Takahashi not only deeply reflected on the reasons for Japan's backwardness, but also summarized many of his suggestions for improving its backwardness.
In "Japanese Racial Improvement Theory", Takahashi pointed out that Japan not only lags behind the West in terms of living habits such as food, clothing, housing and transportation, but also that the Japanese race is an "inferior race", with genetic ancestry such as stature, physique, and intelligence. It also lags far behind Westerners. If the Japanese want to become strong, they should "mix marriage" with Westerners to improve their own race.
Of course, his theory did not gain high-level and social support, but the ideas of "eugenics" and "pure bloodism" had a profound impact on Japan mentally and physically. Japanese scholars did not shy away from expressing their inferiority complex towards Westerners, and even later appeared the deformed nationalism of "the most superior are the Western nations, and the second most superior are us Japanese". It was this groveling feeling of inferiority that backfired, and then turned into a sentiment of contempt for Asian countries.
Why did Yoshio Takahashi come up with such radical ideas? This is inseparable from the current situation of Japanese society at this time.
Yoshio Takahashi
Yoshio Takahashi's "Japanese Racial Improvement Theory"
. The era of waste recycling with solar energy as the pillar industry
In the Edo period ("Edo" is the old name of Tokyo, due to the The shogunate, the center of power, was located in Edo, and this era was called the "Edo Period.") For 250 years, Japan was isolated from foreign countries and had no import and export of resources. Almost all daily necessities and energy relied on plant resources. Since plants rely on solar energy, carbon dioxide and water to grow, it can be said that the Edo period was supported by solar energy .
In rice cultivation, about 20% of the harvested rice straw is used to make daily necessities, about 50% is used for compost, and the remaining about 30% is used for fuel and other items. In other words, 100% usage.
In second-hand clothing stores, not only kimonos are processed, but scraps are also processed, and they are sewn onto collars and linings as decorations.Kimonos that are obviously worn out after being worn many times are recycled as diapers and rags until they are completely worn out, and then used as fuel for bathtubs... and the ashes after burning are used in agriculture, brewing, and pottery.
In addition, in the Edo period, "repair shops" were created to repair broken things. Each repair shop has its own specialty, such as a clay shop that repairs broken pottery, a lantern replacement shop, and a knife sharpener shop. Therefore, common sense in the Edo period was that if something broke, you should take it to a specialized repair shop to repair it until it was no longer usable. Even if it is used beyond repair, it will not become junk.
Farmers in the Edo period
, a frugal diet based on rice and vegetables
The "Meat Prohibition Order" promulgated by Emperor Tenmu in 675 can be said to be the source of Japanese food culture, which legally prohibits people from eating beef. , horse, dog, monkey, chicken. This "Meat Ban" is of great significance in the history of Japanese food. This meat-free culture has existed for ,200 years in Japanese history.
In order to make up for the lack of meat, people supplement plant protein with fish, soybeans and rice. People in the Edo period did not go shopping at fish or vegetable shops, but instead waited for merchants to sell them. Since there are no disposable containers like now, when buying, you always buy according to the weight that your container can hold. This way, you buy ingredients when you need them. Rice is expensive and can only be purchased in small quantities, so salty ingredients such as radishes, potatoes, and beans are mixed and cooked to increase the weight. Since there are no heat preservation tools, we also designed cold rice porridge and chazuke rice , so that you can eat delicious cold rice.
Shopping places in the Edo period
. Maintaining sacred marriage with an identification system
In the Edo period, marriage was based on equality of status. From the professional level of Japanese classes, samurai have the highest status, followed by farmers, third by craftsmen, and finally merchants. In addition, there are the lowest status groups besides scholars, farmers, industrialists and merchants. They are called filthy and inhuman (that is, literally "not human") people.
Hui mostly engages in butchers, animal skin processing, temple cleaning and other related jobs. Their children must inherit their parents' careers. Non-humans are mainly engaged in occupations such as execution, performing arts, and begging. Unlike Juduo, whose identity must be inherited from generation to generation, non-human descendants can restore their civilian status. There is generally no intermarriage between various classes. Some people are not even qualified to get married.
Schematic diagram of classes in the Edo period
. Human lifespan protected by the god of luck
Businessmen can become independent as early as around 30 years old, but the average life expectancy in the Edo period was more than 30 years old. Many died before getting married or having children.
Why is it said that the average life span in the Edo period was 2 to 44 years ? The reason is simple: In the past, babies died young. Professor Nagasawa Katsushige of Ritsumeikan University wrote "Table of Common People's Life in the Early 19th Century - Based on Population and Civil Affairs Data of Kozenji Village" which records that "the life expectancy at the age of 60 is 14.3 years for men and 13.3 years for women. ." (Life expectancy is not the average age of the number of deaths. Average life expectancy is the average number of years that one can continue to live after reaching the exact age Medical treatment ceased due to underdevelopment. Due to public health problems, Japan became a hotbed for smallpox, measles , cholera and other diseases. In addition, it is believed that nutritional deficiencies not only lead to direct illnesses such as athlete's foot, but also weaken immunity, making them more susceptible to infectious diseases.
During this period, the mortality rate of children aged 0 to 5 years accounted for 70-75% of the total mortality rate.
Chart of Japanese life span changes
. Unmarried young men who find pleasure in lying down
In Kenji Morita's "The Wisdom of Living Easily and Peacefully in Edo Village": Marriage and childbirth are limited to those with high status and pedigree. Many people, including collateral relatives, slaves and other slave farmers who were not heads of households, remained unmarried throughout their lives.
Japan's agriculture is the most developed industry in society, and fast food and taverns are booming. The working young men can have a full meal without having to cook. In addition, single men can rent clothes, mats, mosquito nets, tableware, rain gear, tools, furniture, tatami , loincloths, and even underwear loincloths. After solving the problems of eating and shopping, the idol originator appeared again. There is a Suzuki Harunobu who specializes in painting beauties. Most of his works are about tea girls and kabuki. He has conquered fans with his talent. The teahouse also sold her paintings, towels, dolls and other peripheral products. It became extremely popular and gained both fame and fortune.
It can be said that single men live a very fulfilling life, and they have no desire to find a partner to get married to.
Suzuki Harunobu's beauty painting "Kasasen Gosen" (Japan: Metropolitan Museum of Art)
. Embrace European and American culture with brainless love
Influenced by the prevailing social Darwinism, Takahashi believed that "the superior prevails over the inferior" in nature. The law of "survival of the fittest" also applies to human society. He believed that the Japanese were not free to marry early and intermarry, which restricted the emergence of superior races. It is necessary to use "miscellaneous marriage" to spread excellent bloodlines to the world.
His ideas include the idea of "God does not create superior people, nor does it create inferior people." This idea originated from his teacher Fu Ze
Yu Ji. It was the man with the highest denomination on Japanese banknotes who used the term "Racial Improvement (Fukuzawa Yukichi's essay "The Thoughts of 'Naked Race' and 'Racial Improvement')" to argue that human marriage should be modeled after animals Breed improvement and breeding of the best. For those who are in poor health or have intellectual disabilities, artificial contraception is needed to prevent them from producing bad offspring. Takahashi's theory of racial improvement is an extension of this. Fukuzawa also wrote a preface to "Japanese Racial Improvement Theory" to support Takahashi's remarks.
Incited by these uneasy remarks, the Japanese at that time showed a strong admiration for all things Western.
For example, when they are learning English, they want to abandon their own language and change English to Mandarin.
There is this record in Saito Ryuzo's "History of Modern Japan": (around the sixth year of Meiji) there was a talk of "writing Mandarin in foreign languages". The leading minister of Japan's Ministry of Culture, Mori Yurei, , also mentioned the imperfections of Japanese in the English version of Japanese Education Theory written during this period and advocated establishing English as the national language.
Ten thousand yen (10,000 yen) Front: Yukichi Fukuzawa
Back: Japan’s national bird, the green pheasant
Ten thousand yen (10,000 yen) Front: Yukichi Fukuzawa
Back: The phoenix statue of Byodoin Phoenix Hall
. To Yuan Xun In 1867, the new Japanese force headed by Tendan, the "Castle Lords Alliance (Sacho Doi)" eliminated the Tokugawa shogunate and the rebels in the war, promoted the "restore imperial government" , and ended the samurai war that lasted for more than 600 years. Feudal system established a new government with separation of powers. In the meritorious Restoration team that won the title of "Father" twice, they completed Japan's Meiji Restoration in the form of a relay.
After Yoshida Shoin, the father of the first Meiji Restoration, and Shimazu Shigeaki of the Satsuma Domain completed their missions, the second more scientific and targeted Restoration Tendan emerged.
are: "Father of the Meiji Government" Okubo Toshimitsu; "Father of the Japanese Constitution", "Father of Parliamentary Politics", "Father of Party Cabinet" Ito Hirobumi; "Father of General Trading Company " Sakamoto Ryoma ; "Father of Kagoshima" Saigo Takamori ; "Father of Arms" Yamagata Aritomo. With their various contributions, Japan opened a new chapter in the Meiji Restoration. This movement was not limited to "racial improvement", but also allowed Japan to initiate a super transformation form.
Okubo Toshitsu
Ito Hirobumi
Sakamoto Ryoma
Saigo Takamori
Yamagata Aritomo
2. Cultural Hundred Neck Clothes
Japan is deeply influenced by Chinese culture. 1Confucius The learning spirit of "not ashamed to ask" has been brought to the extreme.
In order to show its determination to learn from the West, the new government has used material, financial and human resources. Senior officials were sent to Europe and the United States for long-term inspections. After these people returned home, they made great contributions to Japan's modernization. The Meiji Restoration also vigorously promoted the policy of colonization and industrialization, transplanted various modern industries to the country, and strived to make Japan a capitalist country with comparable strength to Europe and the United States as soon as possible.
According to statistics, the Japanese government employed about 3,000 European and American technicians and experts. At its peak in 1876, more than 500 foreigners went to Japan every year. The reason why real estate companies can recruit these talents is because they provide generous salaries.
For example, Thomas Kinda, a foreigner hired, was paid a monthly salary of 1,045 yen, which was higher than the 800 yen monthly salary of Minister Sanjo Sanmi. Hiring European and American technical personnel and experts with such generous remuneration also shows Japan's extraordinary enthusiasm and sincerity in its policy of colonization and industrial development.
Japan transformed the country into a brand-new island country, and its national power increased rapidly. This century-old reform drama staged in Japanese society not only transformed Japan into a capitalist form, but also affected the lives of modern Japanese people in all aspects. .
Panoramic view of Japan's 1st Domestic Industry Expo
, Pinduoduo's judicial reform
Changes in the central and local systems, The reform government unified Japan's political system and national ideology, creating a "theocratic country under the rule of the emperor". In terms of justice, we follow the systems of advanced countries and formulate legal criminal law; mixed French and German civil law; and American commercial law. The Meiji government abolished the hierarchical system of the Edo shogunate period and established a new household registration system.
Emperor Meiji
, Tieshou Industrial Transformation
actively promoted the construction of infrastructure . In 1869, the first telecommunications line was set up between Tokyo and Yokohama . Only 5 years later, the telecommunications line was extended from Nagasaki to Hokkaido , and soon a submarine cable was laid between Nagasaki and Shanghai. Railways covering the whole country have been built, and the reconstruction of major highways across the country has been vigorously strengthened to achieve unimpeded truck transportation.
Japan is an island country, and the development of maritime transportation is particularly important. The government adopted a strong political protection policy for Mitsubishi Corporation (shipping company), a private enterprise in the country, so that it could compete with European and American steamship companies, thus fostering modern industry. In addition to Mitsubishi , famous political and business figures include Mitsui and Ono.
replaced backward logistics with a modern postal system, established post offices, and issued stamps and postcards. In 1877, Japan became a member of the Universal Postal Union, and the first telephone was introduced in the country in the same year.
In the fields of light industry and agriculture, state-owned factories were opened to provide demonstrations for private enterprises.
In the first half of the 1980s, Masayoshi Matsukata implemented a deflationary policy. Agricultural product prices plummeted and many farmers went bankrupt. However, some wealthy and powerful rich peasants purchased the land of bankrupt peasants at low prices. They either became new landlords or made huge profits from loan sharking. These rich peasants and wealthy urban businessmen who made money began to buy and sell stocks or start companies. As a result, stock trading became active and new companies were born.Especially in the three years since 1886, there was a wave of business establishment.
Ukiyoe "Tokyo Shiodome Railway Opening Ceremony Picture"
. Xizizi Clothing Transformation
First, the attire of the royal family and the government was changed to Western-style uniforms. At the same time, the uniforms of public institutions such as military personnel, station staff, and postal staff were also determined. for uniforms. Attract the public’s attention with professional attire. Start a fashion trend.
The Westernization of women's clothing lags behind. First, because of the rapid development of the textile industry, traditional armed kimonos not only become more and more beautiful, but also cheaper. Second, because at that time, only noble ladies had the opportunity to wear Western clothes to accompany their husbands and attend Western gatherings. .
Japanese in Western Clothing
, Fragrant Diet Transformation
In 1872, public opinion began to report the news that Emperor Meiji ate meat, which made the Japanese gradually accept "meat".
One of the reasons is that in order to enrich the country and strengthen its military, it is necessary to have strong and healthy citizens. When the Japanese and Westerners met after the founding of the country, the most surprising thing was the strong physique of the Westerners. Animal foods such as lean meat and dairy products, which are considered to have high nutritional value, are beginning to gain attention. Another reason is that as a diplomatic means, Japan after the founding of the country had more opportunities to entertain Western ministers and dignitaries. In order to cater to foreigners , you must understand Western cuisine.
Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, the number of foreigners in Japan has increased, which has increased Japan's domestic demand for animal meat, including beef. "Gyu-nabe-ya" has become a symbol of civilization and enlightenment. In the Kanto region, famous beef hot-pot restaurants such as Ise Kuma, Nakagawa-ya, and Ota no rope noriden were born. Soon, beef hotpot also entered the dietary life of ordinary people.
In the book "An Yuraku Nabe" written by the popular novelist Kamigaki Rufumi during the Meiji period at the end of the shogunate, there is a sentence that "not eating beef hotpot is uncivilized." The surge in the number of beef restaurants also proves people's love for beef. In 1875, there were only 70 beef hotpot restaurants in Tokyo, but by around 1877, the number surged to 588 (Plenus Food Culture Research Institute).
News about Emperor Meiji eating meat
. Dalie Hairstyle Transformation
In 1885, the "Women's Hairstyle Association" was established. They criticized traditional Japanese hairstyles and pointed out: Japanese hair is time-consuming and laborious to tie up, and it cannot be washed frequently even when sleeping, which is inconvenient and dirty. , Uneconomical, a lot of hair oil is used to wash hair. Therefore, Western women's hairstyles were introduced. Women could tie up their hair and untie it when sleeping. "Hair bundles" that could be washed frequently became popular and were designed in various styles. Various styles such as English knots and Western knots were produced, and many catalogs and tutorials appeared in magazines and newspapers.
Japanese ancient hairstyles
Japanese ancient hairstyles
Japanese ancient hairstyles
. Danglanglang architectural renovation
Since ancient times, Japanese architecture has been mainly made of wood. In ancient times, with the introduction of Buddhism from mainland China, construction methods and structural technologies evolved. independently adopted and matured over a long period of time. In the Meiji Era, the truss structure (= a frame structure composed of multiple triangles and nodes fixed with bolts) as a Western construction technology was incorporated into the roof frame, making it possible to create a large space in a room even without using long wood .
introduced new materials and new building structures, and gradually introduced reinforced concrete structures . On the other hand, decorative materials such as flat glass and paint were introduced. People live in Westernized "foreign houses", which not only have enhanced earthquake resistance, but also become more and more beautiful.
A school located in Matsumoto City, Japan
. Transformation of sweet wedding customs
With the abolition of the hierarchical system, people's love market has expanded. Due to Western influence, men and women can date freely. The young lovers finally broke the shackles of feudal rules and fell in love openly. With economic development, exchanges between Japan and other countries have become closer, transnational marriages more common, March 14, 1837.The law officially allows Japanese nationals to marry non-Japanese.
International Marriage in the Meiji Era
, Lehehe Education Transformation
After the Meiji Restoration, the Japanese government began to popularize compulsory education in the country, and divided school districts nationwide: there are universities in the university districts, and junior high schools under the university districts. There is a middle school, and the middle school district has a primary school district, and each primary school district has a primary school. In total, there are 8 public universities, 256 middle schools, and 430,080 primary schools in the country. Educational institutions promulgated the " Educational Rescript " to instill filial piety, loyalty to the emperor and patriotism. At the same time, women also began to be taken seriously.
Japanese male college students
Japanese female college students
. Forced physical education
Influenced by Confucianism, Japanese people attach more importance to spiritual and moral cultivation, but do not pay too much attention to physical practice. Insightful people began to promote physical exercise to make citizens aware of the importance of physical exercise. Japanese people envy tall and strong Westerners and are more motivated to improve their physical health. With changes in seating and eating habits, body functions are improved. The introduction of Western sports to Japan has given more Japanese people new insights into sports.
Japan's first official baseball team in 1878 - Shimbashi Athletic Club
0, clean and hygienic renovation
Although there were many public baths in the Edo period, mixed bathing of men and women was chaotic, and the shogunate repeatedly tried to control it. and has not been changed. The sanitary conditions are also in a mess due to the poor bathing facilities. By the Meiji era, not only had the construction style of public baths changed, but the environment and hygiene had also been improved, and the phenomenon of mixed bathing between men and women had truly disappeared.
Bathing state in the Edo period
Bathing state in the Edo period
3. Accelerator keys for success
Although Takahashi's "Japanese Racial Improvement" discusses "miscegenation", it also proposes many constructive changes direction, it still affects the lives of Japanese people. For example, in terms of diet, Japan has written into the law the provision of school meals to students to fully ensure students' nutritional intake. In terms of changing the concept of marriage, it has created lovers who learn a lot, and in terms of sports, it has inspired people to become taller and stronger.
Japan’s “racial improvement”, under its absurd appearance, stings the Japanese’s sensitivity towards backwardness. This is not only about "the improvement of race ", but also about learning advanced Western science and technology and exploring forward with a progressive perspective. Let Japan quickly complete the industrial revolution in just 20 years after the Meiji Restoration, continuously improve its comprehensive national strength, transform into a capitalist country, and squeeze its small body into a world power.
References:
Tokugawa Mitsukuni's "History of Japan", Takahashi Yoshio's "Japanese Racial Improvement Theory", Nagasawa Katsushige "Table of Civilian Life in the Early 19th Century - Based on the Population and Civil Affairs Data of Kozenji Village" , Yukichi Fukuzawa's "The Thoughts of 'Naked Racing' and 'Race Improvement'", Kenji Morita's "The Wisdom of Living Easily and Peacefully in Edo Village", Ryuzo Saito's "History of Modern Japanese Prime Ministers", Kami gaki Lu Wen's "An Yule Guo" and so on.
Kimonos that are obviously worn out after being worn many times are recycled as diapers and rags until they are completely worn out, and then used as fuel for bathtubs... and the ashes after burning are used in agriculture, brewing, and pottery.In addition, in the Edo period, "repair shops" were created to repair broken things. Each repair shop has its own specialty, such as a clay shop that repairs broken pottery, a lantern replacement shop, and a knife sharpener shop. Therefore, common sense in the Edo period was that if something broke, you should take it to a specialized repair shop to repair it until it was no longer usable. Even if it is used beyond repair, it will not become junk.
Farmers in the Edo period
, a frugal diet based on rice and vegetables
The "Meat Prohibition Order" promulgated by Emperor Tenmu in 675 can be said to be the source of Japanese food culture, which legally prohibits people from eating beef. , horse, dog, monkey, chicken. This "Meat Ban" is of great significance in the history of Japanese food. This meat-free culture has existed for ,200 years in Japanese history.
In order to make up for the lack of meat, people supplement plant protein with fish, soybeans and rice. People in the Edo period did not go shopping at fish or vegetable shops, but instead waited for merchants to sell them. Since there are no disposable containers like now, when buying, you always buy according to the weight that your container can hold. This way, you buy ingredients when you need them. Rice is expensive and can only be purchased in small quantities, so salty ingredients such as radishes, potatoes, and beans are mixed and cooked to increase the weight. Since there are no heat preservation tools, we also designed cold rice porridge and chazuke rice , so that you can eat delicious cold rice.
Shopping places in the Edo period
. Maintaining sacred marriage with an identification system
In the Edo period, marriage was based on equality of status. From the professional level of Japanese classes, samurai have the highest status, followed by farmers, third by craftsmen, and finally merchants. In addition, there are the lowest status groups besides scholars, farmers, industrialists and merchants. They are called filthy and inhuman (that is, literally "not human") people.
Hui mostly engages in butchers, animal skin processing, temple cleaning and other related jobs. Their children must inherit their parents' careers. Non-humans are mainly engaged in occupations such as execution, performing arts, and begging. Unlike Juduo, whose identity must be inherited from generation to generation, non-human descendants can restore their civilian status. There is generally no intermarriage between various classes. Some people are not even qualified to get married.
Schematic diagram of classes in the Edo period
. Human lifespan protected by the god of luck
Businessmen can become independent as early as around 30 years old, but the average life expectancy in the Edo period was more than 30 years old. Many died before getting married or having children.
Why is it said that the average life span in the Edo period was 2 to 44 years ? The reason is simple: In the past, babies died young. Professor Nagasawa Katsushige of Ritsumeikan University wrote "Table of Common People's Life in the Early 19th Century - Based on Population and Civil Affairs Data of Kozenji Village" which records that "the life expectancy at the age of 60 is 14.3 years for men and 13.3 years for women. ." (Life expectancy is not the average age of the number of deaths. Average life expectancy is the average number of years that one can continue to live after reaching the exact age Medical treatment ceased due to underdevelopment. Due to public health problems, Japan became a hotbed for smallpox, measles , cholera and other diseases. In addition, it is believed that nutritional deficiencies not only lead to direct illnesses such as athlete's foot, but also weaken immunity, making them more susceptible to infectious diseases.
During this period, the mortality rate of children aged 0 to 5 years accounted for 70-75% of the total mortality rate.
Chart of Japanese life span changes
. Unmarried young men who find pleasure in lying down
In Kenji Morita's "The Wisdom of Living Easily and Peacefully in Edo Village": Marriage and childbirth are limited to those with high status and pedigree. Many people, including collateral relatives, slaves and other slave farmers who were not heads of households, remained unmarried throughout their lives.
Japan's agriculture is the most developed industry in society, and fast food and taverns are booming. The working young men can have a full meal without having to cook. In addition, single men can rent clothes, mats, mosquito nets, tableware, rain gear, tools, furniture, tatami , loincloths, and even underwear loincloths. After solving the problems of eating and shopping, the idol originator appeared again. There is a Suzuki Harunobu who specializes in painting beauties. Most of his works are about tea girls and kabuki. He has conquered fans with his talent. The teahouse also sold her paintings, towels, dolls and other peripheral products. It became extremely popular and gained both fame and fortune.
It can be said that single men live a very fulfilling life, and they have no desire to find a partner to get married to.
Suzuki Harunobu's beauty painting "Kasasen Gosen" (Japan: Metropolitan Museum of Art)
. Embrace European and American culture with brainless love
Influenced by the prevailing social Darwinism, Takahashi believed that "the superior prevails over the inferior" in nature. The law of "survival of the fittest" also applies to human society. He believed that the Japanese were not free to marry early and intermarry, which restricted the emergence of superior races. It is necessary to use "miscellaneous marriage" to spread excellent bloodlines to the world.
His ideas include the idea of "God does not create superior people, nor does it create inferior people." This idea originated from his teacher Fu Ze
Yu Ji. It was the man with the highest denomination on Japanese banknotes who used the term "Racial Improvement (Fukuzawa Yukichi's essay "The Thoughts of 'Naked Race' and 'Racial Improvement')" to argue that human marriage should be modeled after animals Breed improvement and breeding of the best. For those who are in poor health or have intellectual disabilities, artificial contraception is needed to prevent them from producing bad offspring. Takahashi's theory of racial improvement is an extension of this. Fukuzawa also wrote a preface to "Japanese Racial Improvement Theory" to support Takahashi's remarks.
Incited by these uneasy remarks, the Japanese at that time showed a strong admiration for all things Western.
For example, when they are learning English, they want to abandon their own language and change English to Mandarin.
There is this record in Saito Ryuzo's "History of Modern Japan": (around the sixth year of Meiji) there was a talk of "writing Mandarin in foreign languages". The leading minister of Japan's Ministry of Culture, Mori Yurei, , also mentioned the imperfections of Japanese in the English version of Japanese Education Theory written during this period and advocated establishing English as the national language.
Ten thousand yen (10,000 yen) Front: Yukichi Fukuzawa
Back: Japan’s national bird, the green pheasant
Ten thousand yen (10,000 yen) Front: Yukichi Fukuzawa
Back: The phoenix statue of Byodoin Phoenix Hall
. To Yuan Xun In 1867, the new Japanese force headed by Tendan, the "Castle Lords Alliance (Sacho Doi)" eliminated the Tokugawa shogunate and the rebels in the war, promoted the "restore imperial government" , and ended the samurai war that lasted for more than 600 years. Feudal system established a new government with separation of powers. In the meritorious Restoration team that won the title of "Father" twice, they completed Japan's Meiji Restoration in the form of a relay.
After Yoshida Shoin, the father of the first Meiji Restoration, and Shimazu Shigeaki of the Satsuma Domain completed their missions, the second more scientific and targeted Restoration Tendan emerged.
are: "Father of the Meiji Government" Okubo Toshimitsu; "Father of the Japanese Constitution", "Father of Parliamentary Politics", "Father of Party Cabinet" Ito Hirobumi; "Father of General Trading Company " Sakamoto Ryoma ; "Father of Kagoshima" Saigo Takamori ; "Father of Arms" Yamagata Aritomo. With their various contributions, Japan opened a new chapter in the Meiji Restoration. This movement was not limited to "racial improvement", but also allowed Japan to initiate a super transformation form.
Okubo Toshitsu
Ito Hirobumi
Sakamoto Ryoma
Saigo Takamori
Yamagata Aritomo
2. Cultural Hundred Neck Clothes
Japan is deeply influenced by Chinese culture. 1Confucius The learning spirit of "not ashamed to ask" has been brought to the extreme.
In order to show its determination to learn from the West, the new government has used material, financial and human resources. Senior officials were sent to Europe and the United States for long-term inspections. After these people returned home, they made great contributions to Japan's modernization. The Meiji Restoration also vigorously promoted the policy of colonization and industrialization, transplanted various modern industries to the country, and strived to make Japan a capitalist country with comparable strength to Europe and the United States as soon as possible.
According to statistics, the Japanese government employed about 3,000 European and American technicians and experts. At its peak in 1876, more than 500 foreigners went to Japan every year. The reason why real estate companies can recruit these talents is because they provide generous salaries.
For example, Thomas Kinda, a foreigner hired, was paid a monthly salary of 1,045 yen, which was higher than the 800 yen monthly salary of Minister Sanjo Sanmi. Hiring European and American technical personnel and experts with such generous remuneration also shows Japan's extraordinary enthusiasm and sincerity in its policy of colonization and industrial development.
Japan transformed the country into a brand-new island country, and its national power increased rapidly. This century-old reform drama staged in Japanese society not only transformed Japan into a capitalist form, but also affected the lives of modern Japanese people in all aspects. .
Panoramic view of Japan's 1st Domestic Industry Expo
, Pinduoduo's judicial reform
Changes in the central and local systems, The reform government unified Japan's political system and national ideology, creating a "theocratic country under the rule of the emperor". In terms of justice, we follow the systems of advanced countries and formulate legal criminal law; mixed French and German civil law; and American commercial law. The Meiji government abolished the hierarchical system of the Edo shogunate period and established a new household registration system.
Emperor Meiji
, Tieshou Industrial Transformation
actively promoted the construction of infrastructure . In 1869, the first telecommunications line was set up between Tokyo and Yokohama . Only 5 years later, the telecommunications line was extended from Nagasaki to Hokkaido , and soon a submarine cable was laid between Nagasaki and Shanghai. Railways covering the whole country have been built, and the reconstruction of major highways across the country has been vigorously strengthened to achieve unimpeded truck transportation.
Japan is an island country, and the development of maritime transportation is particularly important. The government adopted a strong political protection policy for Mitsubishi Corporation (shipping company), a private enterprise in the country, so that it could compete with European and American steamship companies, thus fostering modern industry. In addition to Mitsubishi , famous political and business figures include Mitsui and Ono.
replaced backward logistics with a modern postal system, established post offices, and issued stamps and postcards. In 1877, Japan became a member of the Universal Postal Union, and the first telephone was introduced in the country in the same year.
In the fields of light industry and agriculture, state-owned factories were opened to provide demonstrations for private enterprises.
In the first half of the 1980s, Masayoshi Matsukata implemented a deflationary policy. Agricultural product prices plummeted and many farmers went bankrupt. However, some wealthy and powerful rich peasants purchased the land of bankrupt peasants at low prices. They either became new landlords or made huge profits from loan sharking. These rich peasants and wealthy urban businessmen who made money began to buy and sell stocks or start companies. As a result, stock trading became active and new companies were born.Especially in the three years since 1886, there was a wave of business establishment.
Ukiyoe "Tokyo Shiodome Railway Opening Ceremony Picture"
. Xizizi Clothing Transformation
First, the attire of the royal family and the government was changed to Western-style uniforms. At the same time, the uniforms of public institutions such as military personnel, station staff, and postal staff were also determined. for uniforms. Attract the public’s attention with professional attire. Start a fashion trend.
The Westernization of women's clothing lags behind. First, because of the rapid development of the textile industry, traditional armed kimonos not only become more and more beautiful, but also cheaper. Second, because at that time, only noble ladies had the opportunity to wear Western clothes to accompany their husbands and attend Western gatherings. .
Japanese in Western Clothing
, Fragrant Diet Transformation
In 1872, public opinion began to report the news that Emperor Meiji ate meat, which made the Japanese gradually accept "meat".
One of the reasons is that in order to enrich the country and strengthen its military, it is necessary to have strong and healthy citizens. When the Japanese and Westerners met after the founding of the country, the most surprising thing was the strong physique of the Westerners. Animal foods such as lean meat and dairy products, which are considered to have high nutritional value, are beginning to gain attention. Another reason is that as a diplomatic means, Japan after the founding of the country had more opportunities to entertain Western ministers and dignitaries. In order to cater to foreigners , you must understand Western cuisine.
Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, the number of foreigners in Japan has increased, which has increased Japan's domestic demand for animal meat, including beef. "Gyu-nabe-ya" has become a symbol of civilization and enlightenment. In the Kanto region, famous beef hot-pot restaurants such as Ise Kuma, Nakagawa-ya, and Ota no rope noriden were born. Soon, beef hotpot also entered the dietary life of ordinary people.
In the book "An Yuraku Nabe" written by the popular novelist Kamigaki Rufumi during the Meiji period at the end of the shogunate, there is a sentence that "not eating beef hotpot is uncivilized." The surge in the number of beef restaurants also proves people's love for beef. In 1875, there were only 70 beef hotpot restaurants in Tokyo, but by around 1877, the number surged to 588 (Plenus Food Culture Research Institute).
News about Emperor Meiji eating meat
. Dalie Hairstyle Transformation
In 1885, the "Women's Hairstyle Association" was established. They criticized traditional Japanese hairstyles and pointed out: Japanese hair is time-consuming and laborious to tie up, and it cannot be washed frequently even when sleeping, which is inconvenient and dirty. , Uneconomical, a lot of hair oil is used to wash hair. Therefore, Western women's hairstyles were introduced. Women could tie up their hair and untie it when sleeping. "Hair bundles" that could be washed frequently became popular and were designed in various styles. Various styles such as English knots and Western knots were produced, and many catalogs and tutorials appeared in magazines and newspapers.
Japanese ancient hairstyles
Japanese ancient hairstyles
Japanese ancient hairstyles
. Danglanglang architectural renovation
Since ancient times, Japanese architecture has been mainly made of wood. In ancient times, with the introduction of Buddhism from mainland China, construction methods and structural technologies evolved. independently adopted and matured over a long period of time. In the Meiji Era, the truss structure (= a frame structure composed of multiple triangles and nodes fixed with bolts) as a Western construction technology was incorporated into the roof frame, making it possible to create a large space in a room even without using long wood .
introduced new materials and new building structures, and gradually introduced reinforced concrete structures . On the other hand, decorative materials such as flat glass and paint were introduced. People live in Westernized "foreign houses", which not only have enhanced earthquake resistance, but also become more and more beautiful.
A school located in Matsumoto City, Japan
. Transformation of sweet wedding customs
With the abolition of the hierarchical system, people's love market has expanded. Due to Western influence, men and women can date freely. The young lovers finally broke the shackles of feudal rules and fell in love openly. With economic development, exchanges between Japan and other countries have become closer, transnational marriages more common, March 14, 1837.The law officially allows Japanese nationals to marry non-Japanese.
International Marriage in the Meiji Era
, Lehehe Education Transformation
After the Meiji Restoration, the Japanese government began to popularize compulsory education in the country, and divided school districts nationwide: there are universities in the university districts, and junior high schools under the university districts. There is a middle school, and the middle school district has a primary school district, and each primary school district has a primary school. In total, there are 8 public universities, 256 middle schools, and 430,080 primary schools in the country. Educational institutions promulgated the " Educational Rescript " to instill filial piety, loyalty to the emperor and patriotism. At the same time, women also began to be taken seriously.
Japanese male college students
Japanese female college students
. Forced physical education
Influenced by Confucianism, Japanese people attach more importance to spiritual and moral cultivation, but do not pay too much attention to physical practice. Insightful people began to promote physical exercise to make citizens aware of the importance of physical exercise. Japanese people envy tall and strong Westerners and are more motivated to improve their physical health. With changes in seating and eating habits, body functions are improved. The introduction of Western sports to Japan has given more Japanese people new insights into sports.
Japan's first official baseball team in 1878 - Shimbashi Athletic Club
0, clean and hygienic renovation
Although there were many public baths in the Edo period, mixed bathing of men and women was chaotic, and the shogunate repeatedly tried to control it. and has not been changed. The sanitary conditions are also in a mess due to the poor bathing facilities. By the Meiji era, not only had the construction style of public baths changed, but the environment and hygiene had also been improved, and the phenomenon of mixed bathing between men and women had truly disappeared.
Bathing state in the Edo period
Bathing state in the Edo period
3. Accelerator keys for success
Although Takahashi's "Japanese Racial Improvement" discusses "miscegenation", it also proposes many constructive changes direction, it still affects the lives of Japanese people. For example, in terms of diet, Japan has written into the law the provision of school meals to students to fully ensure students' nutritional intake. In terms of changing the concept of marriage, it has created lovers who learn a lot, and in terms of sports, it has inspired people to become taller and stronger.
Japan’s “racial improvement”, under its absurd appearance, stings the Japanese’s sensitivity towards backwardness. This is not only about "the improvement of race ", but also about learning advanced Western science and technology and exploring forward with a progressive perspective. Let Japan quickly complete the industrial revolution in just 20 years after the Meiji Restoration, continuously improve its comprehensive national strength, transform into a capitalist country, and squeeze its small body into a world power.
References:
Tokugawa Mitsukuni's "History of Japan", Takahashi Yoshio's "Japanese Racial Improvement Theory", Nagasawa Katsushige "Table of Civilian Life in the Early 19th Century - Based on the Population and Civil Affairs Data of Kozenji Village" , Yukichi Fukuzawa's "The Thoughts of 'Naked Racing' and 'Race Improvement'", Kenji Morita's "The Wisdom of Living Easily and Peacefully in Edo Village", Ryuzo Saito's "History of Modern Japanese Prime Ministers", Kami gaki Lu Wen's "An Yule Guo" and so on.
