Hist 91/EALC 71 Modern Japanese History

Frederick R. Dickinson TA: Robert Hegwood

Jpse manga Rurouni Kenshin ()

I) Intro
Dept. of History modern Japan

II) When does modern Japan begin?

1853?

A) Japan as an advanced civilization: government

Earliest mention of stratified

Japanese society in Chinese chronicles of 3rd and 5th centuries

B) religion
Buddhism comes to Japan, 6th century

Kamakura Grand Buddha

C) culture
Tea ceremony comes to Japan, 9th century

D) literature
Japanese poetic tradition begins in 8th century

(Manyoshu, an anthology of 4,500 poems)

Worlds first novel, Tale of Genji, written in 1000 AD

Tale of Genji Scroll

E) technology
In 10th cent, straight-blade

Kuniyoshi print of one of 47 Loyal Retainers

swords developed into razorsharp, hammer-hard composite of hard and soft steel

F) Japanese jump on modernization

1960s: Tokyo the largest city in world 18th century: Edo one of largest cities

in world, with 1.3 million inhabitants (London still less than 1 million)
Early modern Edo (present-day Tokyo), with Edo Castle upper right, bay lower left

III) What is Japan today?

Nobody would dispute that Japan is a failing power The World, NPR, Dec. 18, 2008

 A) Are the Japanese like us?

Japanese as alien species:

Or from another planet?

Modern, but saddled with mysterious Asian traditions The past continues to resonate powerfully in the present and old verities linger,

influencing attitudes, inclinations and patterns of behavior. -John Nathan, 2004

Dickinsons bias
Japan as modern, industrialized society, sharing similar joys and

challenges as other industrialized nations

Integral part of international community

IV) Japan attracts attention of world

Toyotas FT-1 Concept sports car, Detroit Auto Show, Jan. 13, 2014

A) 19th century industrial and military success

(Japan is the) pioneer of progress in the Orient. -John Stoddard, 1896
Japanese forces battle China, 1894

B) 19th century culture

Japonisme
European craze for Jpse woodblock

prints, 1870s, 80s van Gogh

Manet, Degas, Latrec, Gauguin,

C) J at world expos
1867 Paris Exposition 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Expo 1893 Worlds Columbian Exposition

How can (one) longer think of a nation as semi-civilized that makes the finest porcelain, while we in America have not advanced beyond the common kinds of pottery; that surpasses the French in the art of bronze manufacture; that sends us silks that vie with the products of the looms of Lyons, and that excels the whole world in carpentry and cabinet-making? -E.V. Smalley, NY Tribune, 1876

D) Frank Lloyd Wright

IV) Course themes

A) History and historiography

Cabinet debate over proposed invasion of Korea, 1873 ()

B) Individual voices and their debates

1) Katsu Kokichi: a different kind of samurai

2) Nishi Amane and the 19th century debate over a modern Japan

19th Century Yokohama

C) Global context
Imperial family visiting industrial exhibit, Tokyo

D) Politics and Society

1) Mori Ogai and Meiji Japan

2) 1920s debate over the Modern Girl

3) Human dimension of Pacific War

4) Post-1945 economic and popular culture powerhouse

V) Chronology of HIST 91/EALC 71

Weeks 1-3: Tokugawa Japan

(1600-1868)
Weeks 4-7: 19th century thru WW I Weeks 8-12: 1919-1945 Weeks 13-15: Post-1945 Japan
New import in 19th century Japan: clock

VI) Readings

3 types of readings: 1 main text-Gordon 5 supplementary texts bulkpack

All texts available at

Pennsylvania Book Center, 130 S. 34th St.

 Lecture outlines
Term sheets Powerpoint Canvas

VII) Study aids

VIII) Requirements

Class participation Mid-term exam

Final take-home
1 Thought essay

IX) Office hours, etc.

Tues., 3-4, Wed., noon 1 p.m., Thurs., 11-

noon & by appointment