Japan's Modern History, 1857-1937: A New Political Narrative

276 Pages·2014·3.978 MB·English

by  Junji Banno

Japan’s Modern History, 1857–1937
Over the course of the period 1857–1937 in Japan, six distinct stages can be identi-
fied as the country moved from Shogun rule and its subsequent overthrow, through
industrialisation and investment, to the Meiji Constitution and then from Taish(cid:448)
democracy to Sh(cid:448)wa fascism. In this book, Junji Banno stresses the mutual rela-
tionships between each period and, to this end, renames them accordingly: the age
of reform; the age of revolution; the age of construction; the age of management;
the age of reorganisation; and the age of crisis.
Following this model, the book covers 80 years of history in Japan, focusing on
political history and foreign relations, with extensive material on economic devel-
opment and the foreign influences on political institutions and practices. Based on
extensive archival research, Japan’s Modern History synoptically considers the
key trends and their significance over the period 1857–1937. In turn, it presents in
detail fascinating information on many of the main leaders and other significant
figures, with extensive quotations from their writings, letters and diaries.
This book is a translation into English of a major work of scholarship by a lead-
ing historian of modern Japan and it may be considered the apex of Junji Banno’s
work in the field. As such, it will be of great interest to students and scholars of
both Japanese history and history more broadly.
Junji Banno is Professor Emeritus of Tokyo University, Japan.
The Nissan Institute/Routledge Japanese Studies Series
Series Editors:
Roger Goodman, Nissan Professor of Modern Japanese Studies,
University of Oxford, Fellow, St Antony’s College
J.A.A. Stockwin, formerly Nissan Professor of Modern Japanese
Studies and former Director of the Nissan Institute of Japanese
Studies,
University of Oxford, Emeritus Fellow, St Antony’s College
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Japan’s Modern History,
1857–1937
A new political narrative
Junji Banno
Translated by J.A.A. Stockwin
First published in Japanese in 2012 as Nihon kindai shi
by Chikuma Shinsho
Published 2014
by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN
and by Routledge
711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2014 Junji Banno
The right of Junji Banno to be identified as author of this work has
been asserted by him/her in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the
Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced
or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means,
now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording,
or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in
writing from the publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or
registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and
explanation without intent to infringe.
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
[Nihon kindaishi. English]
Japan’s modern history : a new political narrative / Junji Banno; translated by J.A.A. Stockwin.
pages cm.—(Nissan Institute/Routledge Japanese studies)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
1. Japan—History—Restoration, 1853–1870. 2. Japan—History—Meiji period, 1868–1912.
3. Japan—History—1912–1945. I. Title.
DS881.3.B349613 2014
952.05—dc23
2014006372
ISBN: 978–1–138–77517–6 (hbk)
ISBN: 978–1–315–77395–7 (ebk)
Typeset in Times New Roman
by Swales & Willis Ltd, Exeter, Devon
Contents
Series Editor's preface xi
Translator’s introduction xiii
Conventions xv
Map xvi
Introduction xvii
1 Reform, 1857–1863 1
‘Revere the Emperor, expel the foreigner’ (sonn(cid:448) j(cid:448)i) versus
‘support the Sh(cid:448)gun, open the country’ (sabaku kaikoku) 1
Saig(cid:448) Takamori and his argument for a ‘multi-party alliance’ 4
Independent military expedition or multi-party alliance? 10
The rise of sonn(cid:448) j(cid:448)i and confrontation between Satsuma and Ch(cid:448)sh(cid:460) 13
The confused year, 1862 16
2 Revolution, 1863–1871 21
Rehabilitation of the Saig(cid:448) Scheme 21
Feudal parliament 24
The Sat–Ch(cid:448) alliance 28
Feudal parliament, or ‘overthrow the Bakufu by force’? 34
The end of revolution 39
Dissolution and reconstruction of the ‘Imperial Army’ 47
3 Construction, 1871–1880 53
Demanding a blueprint for ‘construction’: the inspection tour of
Europe and America by the Iwakura Mission 53
‘Strong army’ and ‘public opinion’: the split over invading Korea
and the proposal for a popularly elected assembly 58
‘Prosperous country’ and ‘fairness and public opinion’ 63