HILD 11 Lecture Notes - Lecture 15: Iwakura Mission, Japanese Language, Unequal Treaty
Document Summary
Learning from the west (inventing the modern nation state cont. ) Japanese organized a trip abroad; about 40 leaders. This trip allowed japanese leaders to see the world with their own eyes; found out that western nations only acquired their power in the last 50-ish years. They would be able to catch up" to them as a country. Hired germans to help with universities and med schools. Hired americans for the postal service and agriculture things. Hired british for railway stations and navy development. Hired painters and sculptures to beautify the country. Got gas-burning lamps to light up the night. Western clothing seemed more practical but shoes were hard to adapt to because japanese typically wore sandals. Traditional japanese hairstyle (top knot) was no longer used and many men began to wear the western cropped style, as well as grow facial hair (mustache, beard, etc. ) Borrowed western food; beef were not normally eaten but now a marker of civilization.
