MY WIFE

PREFACE

The Author’s thanks are due to His Excellency Baron G. Hayashi, H.I.J.M.’s Ambassador in London, for most kindly referring to a competent authority in Japan, for confirmation, a doubtful point in feudal land tenure; to Prince Iwakura, Marquis Ōkubo, and Marquis Kido for photographs of three of the eminent statesmen whose portraits appear; to the Right Honorable Sir Ernest Satow for the trouble he took in reading the MS. of the book; to Sir E. F. Crowe, C.M.G., Commercial Counsellor of the British Embassy in Tōkiō, for very useful help given in various ways; and to Miss Maud Oxenden for valuable assistance in proof-correcting.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I
PAGE
Early History—The Great Reform—Adoption of Chinese Culture[17]
CHAPTER II
Establishment of Feudalism and Duarchy—The Shōgunate and the Throne—Early Foreign Relations—Christian Persecution and Closure of Country[24]
CHAPTER III
The Tokugawa Shōguns—Consolidation of Duarchy[32]
CHAPTER IV
Political Conditions—Reopening of Japan to Foreign Intercourse—Conclusion of Treaties—Decay of Shōgunate[42]
CHAPTER V
Anti-Foreign Feeling—Chōshiū Rebellion—Mikado’s Ratification of Treaties—Prince Kéiki—Restoration Movement—Civil War—Fall of Shōgunate[53]
CHAPTER VI
Japanese Chronology—Satsuma and Chōshiū Clans—The “Charter Oath”[68]
CHAPTER VII
New Government—Clan Feeling in Satsuma—Administrative Changes—Reformers and Reactionaries[77]
CHAPTER VIII
Abolition of Feudal System—Reconstitution of Classes—Effects of Abolition of Feudalism[87]
CHAPTER IX
Effects of Abolition of Feudalism on Agricultural Class—Changes in Land Tenure—Land-Tax Revision[97]
CHAPTER X
Missions to Foreign Government—Hindrances to Reform—Language Difficulties—Attitude of Foreign Powers[107]
CHAPTER XI
Changes and Reforms—Relations with China and Korea—Rupture in Ministry—Secession of Tosa and Hizen Leaders—Progress of Reforms—Annexation of Loochoo—Discontent of Former Military Class[117]
CHAPTER XII
Local Risings—Satsuma Rebellion—Two-Clan Government[129]
CHAPTER XIII
Japanese Religions before Restoration: Shintō and Buddhism[139]
CHAPTER XIV
Japanese Religions after Restoration: Christianity—Bushidō—Religious Observances[145]
CHAPTER XV
Political Unrest—The Press—Press Laws—Conciliation and Repression—Legal Reforms—Failure of Yezo Colonization Scheme—Ōkuma’s Withdrawal—Increased Political Agitation[152]
CHAPTER XVI
Promise of Representative Government—Political Parties—Renewed Unrest—Local Outbreaks[162]
CHAPTER XVII
Framing of Constitution—New Peerage—Reorganization of Ministry—English Influence—Financial Reform—Failure of Conferences for Treaty Revision[172]
CHAPTER XVIII
Imperial Authority—Privy Council—Local Self-Government—Promulgation of Constitution—Imperial Prerogatives—The Two Houses of Parliament—Features of Constitution and First Parliamentary Elections[181]
CHAPTER XIX
Working of Representative Government—Stormy Proceedings in Diet—Legal and Judicial Reform—Political Rowdyism—Fusion of Classes[192]
CHAPTER XX
Working of Parliamentary Government—Grouping of Parties—Government and Opposition—Formation of Seiyūkai—Increasing Intervention of Throne—Decrease of Party Rancour—Attitude of Upper House[197]
CHAPTER XXI
Treaty Revision—Great Britain takes Initiative—Difficulties with China[204]
CHAPTER XXII
China and Korea—War with China—Naval Reform—Defeat of China—Treaty of Shimonoséki—Peace Terms[214]
CHAPTER XXIII
Militarist Policy—Liaotung Peninsula—Intervention of Three Powers—Leases of Chinese Territory by Germany, Russia, Great Britain and France—Spheres of Interest[223]
CHAPTER XXIV
American Protest against Foreign Aggression in China—Principle of “Open Door and Equal Opportunity”—Financial Reform—Operation of Revised Treaties—The Boxer Outbreak—Russia and Manchuria[234]
CHAPTER XXV
Agreement between Great Britain and Germany—The Anglo-Japanese Alliance[245]
CHAPTER XXVI
War with Russia—Success of Japan—President Roosevelt’s Mediation—Treaty of Portsmouth—Peace Terms[254]
CHAPTER XXVII
Weakening of Cordiality with America—Causes of Friction—Expansion and Emigration—Annexation of Korea—New Treaties[265]
CHAPTER XXVIII
Rise of Japan and Germany Compared—Renewal of Anglo-Japanese Alliance—Japan and the Great War—Military and Naval Expansion—Japan and China—The Twenty-one Demands—Agreement with Russia regarding China—Lansing-Ishii Agreement—Effects of Great War on Situation in Far East[274]
CHAPTER XXIX
The Japanese Family System[283]
CHAPTER XXX
Education[292]
CHAPTER XXXI
The Makers of Modern Japan—How Japan is Governed[300]
Index[307]

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Prince Iwakura[Frontispiece]
PAGE
Ōkubo Ichizō[72]
Kido Junichirō[80]
Marquis Inouyé[104]
Marquis Ōkuma[104]
Prince Itō[176]
Marquis Matsugata[184]
Field-Marshal Prince Ōyama[184]
Field-Marshal Prince Yamagata[216]
Marquis Saionji[248]
General Prince Katsura[248]

The Making of Modern Japan

CHAPTER I
Early History—The Great Reform—Adoption of Chinese Culture.

There is much speculation, but no certainty, regarding the origin of the Japanese people. It is, however, generally held that the Japanese race is made up of two main elements—one Mongolian, which came to Japan from Northern Asia by way of Korea, and the other Malayan; a third strain being possibly supplied to some small extent by the Ainu aborigines, whom the invaders found in occupation of the country. The prevailing type of feature is Mongolian, though scientific research claims to have discovered traces of the physical characteristics of other Asiatic races.