Good Example Of Japanese Response To Western Threat In The 19th Century Essay

Introduction

Japan has been quite isolated from foreign threat since its establishment as a nation. According to historians, one of the major factors why Japan has not experienced large scale foreign interaction was due to the natural barriers that separate the country from its nearby regions and the scanty natural resources that the nation can offer. The only nation to have close contact with Japan during its early years was China and most of Japanese culture is somehow influenced by the Chinese. However, during the early part of the 16th century, Japan had increasing contact with the Europeans especially the Dutch and the British. Even so, these contacts are just minimal as it appears that Europeans are less interested in Japan as their interests lie somewhere else. According to Henshall, European interest in conquering Japan did not materialize as it was side tracked by the discovery of the New World; whose riches abound much more than that of Japan. Despite being a small country, Japan is laden with ferocious warriors ready to defend their territory at all cost, which may have also discouraged foreign powers to attempt to conquer it. However, during the 19th century, it became more evident that foreign power could not be ignored. Conflicts between British and China over trading rights increased tensions with neighboring Japan and Russia. At this time, Japan has long closed its doors to foreigners however limiting their contact with foreign powers does not guaranteed that they are already spared from foreign invasion. So far, Japan has never experienced foreign threat in the history of the young nation until the 19th century. On how the Japanese, as a nation, responded to this threat is a study worth considering since it provides a framework in analyzing the development of Japan as a nation and its eventual emergence as a superpower in the region.

History of Japan’s Contact with Foreign Powers Prior to 19th Century

Because of their close proximity, Japan has consequently made contact with neighboring China and Korea since the early history of these nations. The Chinese, in particular, is the foreign nation that has a strong influence on Japanese culture. The Japanese religion, art and early scientific knowledge are somehow copied from China. As observed, Japanese have tried to learn from China by sending their best students to Chinese schools. But despite Japan’s eagerness to learn from other cultures, it has maintained a level of autonomy with regards to foreign influences. According to Henshall, the Japanese, most often than not, modify what they learn from China and apply it in their own setting. Japanese writing systems as well as their political system, for example, may have a close resemblance with China but still maintained certain uniqueness. While there were few military conflicts with foreigners, Japan has not encountered foreign invasion on its shores since the Mongol attack in 1270s. But after several attempts, the Mongols were unable to gain a foothold and were forced to return due to unfavorable weather conditions that destroyed their ships. After which, Mongol interest towards invading Japan waned during the thirteenth century while Japan emerged as a military state. Despite their victory, the Japanese observed that their military weaponry were much inferior as compared to the Mongol invaders. Japans inferiority in terms of technology was further emphasized when Europeans set foot on the island in the 16th century. Among the first Europeans to have arrived from Japan were traders and missionaries. For the first time, the Japanese were exposed to firearms technology, which eventually changed Japanese warfare.

Skepticism towards European and Foreign Powers

Despite the new knowledge and innovative products that were brought by foreigners, the Japanese have remained skeptical of their intentions. Furthermore, Japan’s limited contact with the West was severely cut-off after the Tokugawa Shogunate took control of the country in 1600s. Also known as the Edo period (So-called because of the change in central government from Kyoto to Edo), the Tokugawa family controlled Japan from 1600s up to the middle of the 1800s in a span of 264 years. The Tokugawa government eventually united Japan’s warring families and placed them under one rule. While the Tokugawa rule eventually brought internal peace, it also closed Japan’s doors from foreign contacts. According to observers, “During most of the Edo Period, Japan was closed off to the world, suffered no invasion from the outside, and had virtually no exchange with other countries”. But despite the forced isolation that the Tokugawa government has imposed on the nation, Japan developed its self-reliance and sustainability, which will prove crucial in its development as an industrialized nation. Historians argue about the real state of Japan during the Edo Period. Some believe that the Tokugawa regime was oppressive and that most Japanese are forced to work in order to support the government as characterized by dictatorial regimes. Some historians, though, contradict this view and believe that Japan experienced economic prosperity during this era. As observed by Yonemoto, Japan during the Edo period is characterized by rapid and sustained economic growth especially in its agricultural sector.

Social Change

The Japanese during the Edo period was a class society. The samurai is considered as the ruling class followed by farmers, craftsmen and merchants in hierarchical order. The political stability during this period may have helped Japan develop internally not only in the agricultural sector but also in other commercial sectors. Pre-industrial manufacturing also flourished during this period such as food processing and handicrafts. There was also notable development in technology especially in transportation. Education was also highly regarded during this period. Social change was also among the notable characteristic of the Edo period. Samurai’s who were once always engaged in wars because of Japan’s internal issues found that their value and purpose have significantly decreased. As observed by Henshall, “They seized the least chance for real action to prove their valour, and they went to almost absurd lengths to justify their existence”. In an effort to legitimize their role in society, these elite warriors romanticized their class by adopting a unique set of values known as ‘Bushido’. Among the tenets of Bushido are courage, loyalty, obedience, piety, self-control, frugality and hard work. The bushido culture was deeply ingrained in Japan that its values heavily influenced how Japanese conduct their interaction with society.

End of Japanese Isolation

Attempts by foreign powers to penetrate Japan and establish trading were highly unsuccessful. According to Henshall, a number of nations made official attempts to re-open relations such as Russia, Britain and America subsequently failed. But then in July 8, 1853, Commodore Matthew Perry sailed his vessel into Edo bay; challenging Japan’s laws that forbade foreign ships to go within their territory. Perry’s intention is quite clear; loaded with gifts such as miniature railroads, quadrupeds, champagne and other western items, Perry leaved Norfolk to open trade relations with Japan, which the Soviets are also vying to open. Japan’s eventual consent to allow foreigners to once again establish trade with their people may have been caused partly by a deteriorating influence of the Tokugawa regime as well as the eventual realization that foreigners will not leave them alone. Sooner or later, Japan would have to deal with foreigners; and if it has to happen, then perhaps it is better to get it over with. Perry arrived with four warships and two steam frigates and carrying a letter from President Millard, which demands that Japans should abandon their seclusion policy and make diplomatic treaties with foreign countries specifically the U.S. While the visit was peaceful in nature, the blatant disregard for Japan’s laws surprised the Japanese but what caught most of their attention is not the demand of the U.S. or the courage of the sailors but the intimidating military force unknown to Japan during the era. What seemed to be a simple issue of diplomatic relations has now escalated to an urgent issue of national security. The threat to national security that Perry’s visit brought was vividly reflected in Sakuma’s ‘Reflection of my errors.’ According to Sakuma, the principal requisite of national defense is to prevent foreigners from holding Japan in contempt. In order to achieve this goal, Japan has no choice but to adapt Western principles of armament. However, Sakuma was careful not to be contemptuous of Japan’s position by adapting to foreign culture and to achieve this effect, he emphasized Sunzi’s ‘The Art of War’ to indicate that science and mathematics, as the framework of modern armament, is congruent with Japanese values. On the other hand, Iwasaki’s letter to Mitsubishi employees provided an insight of how Japanese citizens, regardless of class, come to their nation’s aid in time of need. Iwasaki was the founder of Mitsubishi, one of Japan’s biggest conglomerates. When faced with intense foreign competition in control of the Japanese coastal trade, Iwasaki wrote a letter to his employees urging them to make sacrifices in order for their company to be able to compete with foreign vessels. Due to the policy of open trade, Iwasaki contemplates that they have no choice but to lower down their prices in order to be competitive and in order to accomplish that, he needs the support of his employees. It is also worth noting how the Japanese government provides support to its local industry as mentioned by Iwasaki in his letter.

Conclusion

In contemplation of the events that happened in Japan during the 19th century; Japan has shown an exemplary performance after being exposed to western ideas and technologies. As observed by Nicholas, “By selecting the most appropriate Western organizations and institutions, the economy underwent “catch-up” industrialization”. At the start of the Meiji restoration, Japan has embarked in a phenomenal industrialization by emulating the best of the western culture such as Britain’s communication system, France’s justice system and the United States’ education system and infrastructures. Evidently, the Japanese are adept in imitating and innovating technologies. Combined with their high regards for honor and duty, the Japanese were able to rapidly catch up with their foreign counterpart even leaving behind other Asian countries that have made continued contact with the west for a long time. Also, the political stability and economic progress that Japan has attained during the Edo period can be considered as a precursor to its industrialization. Despite being isolated for a long time, the Japanese are intellectually capable of adopting foreign practices and modify it to suit their own culture. In a way, despite the fact that the technology was initially copied, the Japanese industrious and innovative nature made it possible for Japan to make their improved versions. By examining the patents made by Japan versus European countries and the U.S., Nicholas concludes that the Japanese inventive capacity was equally high given that they are already acquainted with the technology. In conclusion, it can be deduced that the country survived the foreign threat and intimidation by holding on to their values and customs while being flexible enough to incorporate the best of the western world.

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