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Explore the consistency and changes in Japanese society throughout history and the heart of Japanese culture, combining traditional spirit with Western knowledge. This timeline covers key historical periods, including the Meiji Restoration, the Asia-Pacific War, and Japan's path to peace.
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Modern History of Japan and The Heart of Japanese CultureKoji Nakamura,Professor of International Education, Konan University History is the consistency and changes of human society which can predict the future. The heart of Japanese culture is the spirit of 和 魂 洋 才 • WA Kon Yo Sai. Japanese Spirit Western Knowledge • Japanese spirit and identity combined with Western knowledge, without losing Japanese cultural identity.
The key Concepts of Japanese history and cultureWa Kon Yo Sai and Harmony. • Prince Shotoku (574-622) promulgated 17 Articles Constitutions in 604. He contributed to the spread of Buddhism and built many Buddhist temples.
Japanese History: A Timeline JOMON (10,000 - 300 B.C.) Prehistoric period of tribal/clan organization. YAYOI (300 B.C. - A.D. 300) Rice cultivation, metalworking KOFUN (YAMATO) (300 - 645)State begins with emergence of clan rules ASUKA (645 -710) A great wave of reforms called the Taika no Kaishin NARA (710 - 794) Imperial court builds new capital in Nara, modeled on China HEIAN (794-1185) Imperial court moves to Heiankyo (now Kyoto) KAMAKURA (1185-1333) Military government established in Kamakura MUROMACHI (1333 -1568) Kyoto becomes base for Shogun Ashikaga AZUCHIMOMOYA MA (1568 -1600) Oda Nobunaga started to unify Japan EDO (TOKUGAWA) (1603 -1868) An age of peace and national isolation. MEIJI (1868 -1912) The emperor is restored; Japan makes transition to nation-state TAISHO [1912-1926] Japan expands economic base within Asia and the Pacific. SHOWA [1926 -1989] Japan experiences World War II and its aftermath, as well as economic recovery. 1937-1945: World War II; war in China followed by invasion of Southeast Asia. 1941: Pearl Harbor brings United States into war in the Pacific. August 1945: first atom bomb is dropped on Hiroshima, the second on Nagasaki 1945-1952: Allied occupation of Japan; democratic party government restored
Modern History of Japan: A Timeline SENGOKU (1467-1568)A Series of Wars AZUCHIMOMOYA MA (1568 -1600) EDO (1600 -1868)(Unification and National Isolation Policy) MEIJI (1868 -1912)(Modernization and Nationalism) TAISHO [1912-1926](Economic Expansion) SHOWA [1926 -1989](Expansionism) Asia Pacific War (1931-1945) (Militarism) 1941: Pearl Harbor, War against allied nations August 1945:first and second atomic bombs 1945-1952:Allied Occupation 1952 Japan regained sovereignty
1467-1568 Period of SengokuMany Samurai clans (families) fought with each other.
Japan was unified in 1603Tokugawa government ruled Japan for 264 years
武士道 Japanese Chivalry (Bushido) The seven Moral Code • Bushido is based on the harmony of Zen Buddhism and Shintoism, which emphasizes loyalty, respect for ancestor, filial piety and 惻隠の情(Consideration for enemies and the weak). • Rectitude 義Respect 尊敬 • Courage 勇 Benevolence 仁 • Honor 名誉Honesty 誠 • Loyalty 忠 • Sword and Chrysanthemum 1946 by Ruth Benedict • Bushido, The Soul of Japan 1900 by Inazo Nitobe
Commodore Perry came to Japan with fleet of four US naval vessels in 1853 and they anchored in Edo bat in 1854.
Was Japan a peace-loving country? The question of Japanese Pacifism Japan’s long periods of peace: • Heian Period (794-1156) 362 years (Peace) • Edo Period (1603-1867) 264 years (Peace) • Meiji to Showa (1894-1945)49 years (Militarism) The way toGreat East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere 1868—1894--1904—1910--1931—1932—1933— 1937—1938—1940--1941—1942--1945 • After World War II (1945--) 61 years (Peace)
What was Asia-Pacific War? History • 1894 First Sino-Japanese War 日清戦争 • 1904~5 Russo-Japanese War日露戦争 • 1910Japan Annexed Korea日韓併合 • 1931 Japanese Kwantung Army seized Manchuria • 1932 Japanese puppet state of Manchukuo満州国 • 1933 Japan withdrawd from League of Nations • 1937- 1945 War with China 日中戦争 • 1938 Nanking Massacre南京虐殺 • 1940 Tripartite Pact made with Germany and Italy • 1941 Japan attacked US (Pearl Harbor) Pacific War • 1942 Battle of Midway • 1945 Atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and • Nagasaki and Japan surrendered unconditionally • Asia-pacific War (1931-1945) 1905-1945 (Militarism)
Most large cities in Japan were devastated by the carpet bombing in 1945.
Why did Japan attack Pearl Harbor? • In July 1941, the Japanese military invaded southern Indochina. In reaction, the US, then Great Britain and the Netherlands, announced an embargo on all exports to Japan and froze Japanese assets and stopped banking within their borders. • The American embargo was a response to the situation in Europe. US was concerned about the Tripartite Pact. American Mirror, Japan (1948) by Dr. Helen Mears The Rise of Modern Japan 2003 (University of Hawaii)
Why did Japan attack Pearl Harbor? • Japanese expansion into Southeast Asia—the location of the colonies of France, Great Britain, and Netherlands-was a threat to the Allies. The Dutch East Indies (Indonesia) was very rich in oil, a strategic resource. • The embargo took Japan by surprise. Furthermore, Japan felt frustrated because it had few natural resources. 80 percent of oil had come from US. 5 The only way Japan could survive as a world power was to invade the Indonesia and take over its oil fields. Because this action was certain to provoke an American counterattack, the Japanese military believed that Japan had to attack America first so as to gain a strategic advantage. 6. Japanese people became nationalistic obsessed by the illusion of Great East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere in order to justify their invasion • See American Mirror , Japan (1948) by Dr. Helen Mears • The Rise of Modern Japan 2003 (University of Hawaii)
Why did USA drop atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki? • Causes and Effects • Discussion • Can Hiroshima and Nagasaki become a point of departure for Peace?
Historical background of Japan’s unconditional surrender • 1945 July 26Potsdam Declaration. (13 conditions) • Truman, Churchill and Chiang Kai-shek warned Japan that it must make a choice: Japan’s unconditional surrender, or utter destruction of Japan. This proposal was backed by the successfully tested atomic bomb in the Sates and promise from the Soviet Union to enter the war against Japan. • July 27 Prime Minister Suzuki’s response was to keep silent (to see what would happen. Also they worried about the fate of the Emperor. However, Suzuki’s response was translated into, “ ignore” by the Allied, which gave President Truman a good reason to use the atomic bomb on Japanese large cities and Churchill (UK) agreed with it.
Historical background of Japan’s surrender • August 6, Atomic bombing on Hiroshima (150000 died) • August 8 Soviet Union declared war against Japan and attacked Manchuria • August 9, Atomic bombing on Nagasaki (75000died) • August 9At the Supreme Council, the top civilian and military leaders voted twice on the surrender question. Both time it became three to three. • August 14 Finally, the emperor choose the unconditional surrender to save Japan and Japanese people. • August 15The Emperor announced the unconditional surrender on radio. • September 2 Allied Powered nations signed the surrender document that formally ended the war on the American battle ship USS Missouri. • 1945 September 2-The Allied (American) Occupation 6年 • 1951 September 8 Prime Minister Yoshida signed San Francisco Peace Treaty with 48 nations. The treaty at last restored Japan’s independence.
Why did USA drop atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki? • 1. To end the Pacific War. • 2. To save American soldiers • 3. To save Japanese citizens • 4. To show off US nuclear power to Soviet Union and the world • 5. To prove the destructive power of the nuclear weapon • 6. American Orientalism • 7. To have superior position in the world after the war.
Hiroshima right after the Atomic BombingHiroshima right after the Atomic Bombing
Poems written by victims of Atomic Bombs • An Atomic Bomb • “When an atomic bomb falls • A day becomes a night. • People become ghosts.” • -Hatsumi Sakamoto, 9ears old. • "I will write peace on your wings and you will fly all over the world."- Sadako Sasaki
Give Back Peace Give back father, give back mother,Give back grandpa, give back grandma,Give back boys, give back girls. Give me back myself, give me back men Linked to me. As long as men live as men,Give back peace, Peace that never crumbles. by Sankichi TogeJapan (1917-1953)
The Article 9 (The Constitution of Japan) • 1)Aspiring sincerely to an international peace based on justice and order, the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes. • 2) In order to accomplish the aim of the preceding paragraph, land, sea, and air forces, as well as other war potential, will never be maintained.The right of belligerency of the state will not be recognized.
A survey on Article 9 by NHK (2003) • According to a survey by NHK (2003), 70% of the people feel that Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution is useful in maintaining safety and peace in Japan. • 30% of people feel there is a need for revision. • 52% say there is no need for revision.
The Significance of Article 9 of the Japanese ConstitutionThe response from 216 Konan University students. 2005-2006
The Revision of Article 9 of the Japanese ConstitutionThe response from 216 Konan University students. 2005-2006
Survey on Japanese patriotism ? • ①Are you pleased that you were born in Japan? Yes=94%NO= 3% • ②Do you have a sense of patriotism? Very much 20%+ Yes 58%=(78%)、 No=20% ③ What do you think of Japan’s colonization in Asia during the Asia Pacific War? We should reflect ourselves very much. 32% We should reflect ourselves. 53% (32+53=85%) We do not have to reflect ourselves. 11% What impressed us most is that among those who have a strong patriotism, 39% of them feel they should reflect themselves seriously regarding Japanese invasion and colonialism during the War. (Asahi Newspaper issued January 25, 2007)
Peace Declaration (August 6, 2001) • We demand that our national government forge the will to abolish nuclear weapons and, in accordance with the preamble of our constitution, work with Hiroshima in the effort to create a century of peace and humanity. • On this first August sixth of the twenty-first century, it is by vowing to spread the peace of this moment through the entire twenty-first century and throughout the world that we pay our sincerest respects to the souls of all the atomic bomb victims. • Tadatoshi Akiba, Mayor of Hiroshima
The Voice from Edward SaidLecture at Cairo Univ. in 2003 • You cannot deal with others without profound knowledge of his or her culture, society and history. • Force never works, because you can never destroys the will of people and the power of people. • Idea is equality, coexistence and sustainable life. • The present is our battle ground and knowledge is our main weapons. • (Said:2003)
National Pride and National IdentityAre you proud of your country?2000 Country Very Yes Little No 1. Egypt 81.6 % 17.4 % (99.1%) 0.6% 0.1% 15 USA 71.4 22.9 (94.3%) 3.9 0.4 47 France 37.5 46.9 (84.3%) 6.4 3.2 50 UK 45.1 37.6 (82.7%) 7.8 1.9 55 Korea 17.4 60.8 (78.3%) 18.7 2.9 56 China 24.7 53.3 (78.0%) 13.2 4.0 71 Japan 21.1 33.1 (54.2%) 34.7 3.5 The Survey of Value System in the World 2000 (The questionnaire was conducted for 1000 adults in each country)
Most large cities in Japan were devastated by the US’s carpet bombing in 1945.
Classroom under the sky in Hiroshima in 1945 after the war. Most schools started education.
What is the Secret of Japan’s Modernization? • The power of Education (High literacy rate in 1945) Advancement to higher education and the growth of GDP 2. Japanese Work Ethic influenced by Confucianismin a Learning and Borrowing Society 3.和 wa 魂 kon 洋yo 才sai (Innovating Cultural Hybridity) Japanese spirit combined with Western knowledge, expertise and wisdom without losing Japanese cultural identities
What is the Secret of Japan’s Modernization? 4. Harmony rather than Confrontation Coexistence of Buddhism and Shintoism Group Harmony and group competition for effective productivity in most Japanese companies, schools and organizations 5.The Unification of Japan in 1603 6. Being on the periphery (Off center concept) = Awareness of Japan as a small island nation without natural resources 7. Pacifism except (1905-1945 Japan’s dark age)
Japanese Cars (dependability and good service)Producing from consumer’s point of view