Japan's Modernization: From Feudal Isolation to World Power

Introduction: Defining Modernization and Japan's Place in History

The word modernize is defined in the American Heritage Dictionary as: to make modern in appearance, style, or character; to accept or adopt modern ways, ideas, or style. If we apply this definition to explain modernization, we can assume that the term refers to the application of such an action in a particular instance. At any given point in time, "modern" pertains to the latest developments in the area of discussion.

The modernization of a culture is often a difficult undertaking; the degree of difficulty involved corresponds to the rate at which that culture has previously developed. One of the most incredible modernization processes in world history occurred over less than half a century, in the still-enigmatic country of Japan.

Long History of Tradition

When Japan is mentioned to the typical Westerner, it conjures images of geisha girls and dragons; samurai and shogun. Japan remained shrouded in mystery, in the eyes of the rest of the world, until the end of the 19th century. The country's refusal to participate in worldwide affairs has long been a subject of fascination for many a curious observer.

Upon the allowance of Western intrusion into Japanese society, much was learned about the culture — and much was misunderstood. The world's initial impression of Japan was one of a weak, antiquated, and inferior nation with nothing substantial to offer other than natural resources. However, Japan's community traditions actually served to encourage, not hinder, modernization (Collinwood 161).

Before the intrusion of other cultures, Japan was ruled by a shogun, or military leader. The Tokugawa family held the position of shogun from 1603 to 1867, when the Meiji (Enlightenment) Era began. The shogun were supported by the samurai — the warrior class — and the daimyo — feudal lords (Christensen).

Much of Japan's long-held tradition of honor can be traced to the samurai. Positioned at the top of the social hierarchy, samurai warriors held themselves to strict principles such as loyalty to their masters, self-discipline, and respectful, ethical behavior. After a defeat or disgrace, many samurai chose to perform seppuku, ritual suicide, rather than live without honor. The samurai legacy provides a basis for the high regard today's Japanese people hold for respect and discipline (Busch).

Though tradition and ritual did not impede the country's emergence into the modern world, several factors did contribute to Japan's self-imposed segregation.

Barrier 1: The Role of Japanese Women

The Western world was initially under the impression that Japanese women were subservient, docile creatures — little more than ornamentation and a means of reproduction. Those opinions were not entirely correct.

In truth, the traditional Japanese woman was legally bound to her husband and family. Even during the beginning of the Meiji period, women had few rights and were regarded as little more than disposable property. According to McClain, "The primary obligation of a wife as outlined in the Civil Code of 1898 was to provide the ie, or male head of the household, with a male heir, and the household with additional labor. Once wed, a woman could not testify in courts of law, bring a legal action without her husband's permission, transact business without his consent, or initiate a divorce except in cases of desertion or extreme cruelty (and a wife's adultery, but not her husband's, was grounds for both divorce and criminal prosecution)." (259)

However, in practice the role of women in the family was more relaxed than the law's description. Most Japanese men held great respect for their wives. For those who did not, women found ways to cope with bad marriages. Women from peasant and merchant backgrounds were allowed to divorce, provided they spend two years in an enkiridera, or divorce temple. Samurai wives were not allowed such recourse; they dealt with difficult marriages by constantly scolding their husbands and calling them disrespectful names, or by building a wall of silence and withholding sexual favors (McClain).

Arranged marriages were also common. In fact, one of the most infamous arrangements involving a Japanese woman occurred during Japan's initial contact with the West. Townsend Harris, America's first ambassador to Japan, took a liking to a young peasant girl named Okichi Saito. The feudal lords in power at the time forced the girl to leave her family and travel with Harris in order to appease him, thereby securing what little cooperation they could obtain from the United States (Kimura).

In Japan today, though many women choose to follow the traditional path of family and domesticity, many also pursue careers, or balance both — much like their American contemporaries.

Conclusion: Modernism or Traditionalism?

Though they delayed in joining the rest of the world, once the Japanese entered the world market, they quickly rose to the top. Today, Japan is often considered among the most advanced nations on earth, with its closest competitors considerably lagging behind.