Chapter II: Preface

The Author’s thanks are due to His Excellency Baron G. Hayashi, H.I.J.M.’s Ambassador in London, for most kindly referring to a competent authority in Japan, for confirmation, a doubtful point in feudal land tenure; to Prince Iwakura, Marquis Ōkubo, and Marquis Kido for photographs of three of the eminent statesmen whose portraits appear; to the Right Honorable Sir Ernest Satow for the trouble he took in reading the MS. of the book; to Sir E. F. Crowe, C.M.G., Commercial Counsellor of the British Embassy in Tōkiō, for very useful help given in various ways; and to Miss Maud Oxenden for valuable assistance in proof-correcting.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I
PAGE

Early History—The Great Reform—Adoption of Chinese Culture 17

CHAPTER II

Establishment of Feudalism and Duarchy—The Shōgunate and the
Throne—Early Foreign Relations—Christian Persecution and Closure
of Country 24

CHAPTER III

The Tokugawa Shōguns—Consolidation of Duarchy 32

CHAPTER IV

Political Conditions—Reopening of Japan to Foreign
Intercourse—Conclusion of Treaties—Decay of Shōgunate 42

CHAPTER V

Anti-Foreign Feeling—Chōshiū Rebellion—Mikado’s Ratification of
Treaties—Prince Kéiki—Restoration Movement—Civil War—Fall of
Shōgunate 53

CHAPTER VI

Japanese Chronology—Satsuma and Chōshiū Clans—The “Charter Oath” 68

CHAPTER VII

New Government—Clan Feeling in Satsuma—Administrative
Changes—Reformers and Reactionaries 77

CHAPTER VIII

Abolition of Feudal System—Reconstitution of Classes—Effects of
Abolition of Feudalism 87

CHAPTER IX

Effects of Abolition of Feudalism on Agricultural Class—Changes in
Land Tenure—Land-Tax Revision 97

CHAPTER X

Missions to Foreign Government—Hindrances to Reform—Language
Difficulties—Attitude of Foreign Powers 107

CHAPTER XI

Changes and Reforms—Relations with China and Korea—Rupture in
Ministry—Secession of Tosa and Hizen Leaders—Progress of
Reforms—Annexation of Loochoo—Discontent of Former Military
Class 117

CHAPTER XII

Local Risings—Satsuma Rebellion—Two-Clan Government 129

CHAPTER XIII

Japanese Religions before Restoration: Shintō and Buddhism 139

CHAPTER XIV

Japanese Religions after Restoration:
Christianity—_Bushidō_—Religious Observances 145

CHAPTER XV

Political Unrest—The Press—Press Laws—Conciliation and
Repression—Legal Reforms—Failure of Yezo Colonization
Scheme—Ōkuma’s Withdrawal—Increased Political Agitation 152

CHAPTER XVI

Promise of Representative Government—Political Parties—Renewed
Unrest—Local Outbreaks 162

CHAPTER XVII

Framing of Constitution—New Peerage—Reorganization of
Ministry—English Influence—Financial Reform—Failure of
Conferences for Treaty Revision 172

CHAPTER XVIII

Imperial Authority—Privy Council—Local
Self-Government—Promulgation of Constitution—Imperial
Prerogatives—The Two Houses of Parliament—Features of
Constitution and First Parliamentary Elections 181

CHAPTER XIX

Working of Representative Government—Stormy Proceedings in
Diet—Legal and Judicial Reform—Political Rowdyism—Fusion of
Classes 192

CHAPTER XX

Working of Parliamentary Government—Grouping of Parties—Government
and Opposition—Formation of _Seiyūkai_—Increasing Intervention
of Throne—Decrease of Party Rancour—Attitude of Upper House 197

CHAPTER XXI

Treaty Revision—Great Britain takes Initiative—Difficulties with
China 204

CHAPTER XXII

China and Korea—War with China—Naval Reform—Defeat of China—Treaty
of Shimonoséki—Peace Terms 214

CHAPTER XXIII

Militarist Policy—Liaotung Peninsula—Intervention of Three
Powers—Leases of Chinese Territory by Germany, Russia, Great
Britain and France—Spheres of Interest 223

CHAPTER XXIV

American Protest against Foreign Aggression in China—Principle of
“Open Door and Equal Opportunity”—Financial Reform—Operation of
Revised Treaties—The Boxer Outbreak—Russia and Manchuria 234

CHAPTER XXV

Agreement between Great Britain and Germany—The Anglo-Japanese
Alliance 245

CHAPTER XXVI

War with Russia—Success of Japan—President Roosevelt’s
Mediation—Treaty of Portsmouth—Peace Terms 254

CHAPTER XXVII

Weakening of Cordiality with America—Causes of Friction—Expansion
and Emigration—Annexation of Korea—New Treaties 265

CHAPTER XXVIII

Rise of Japan and Germany Compared—Renewal of Anglo-Japanese
Alliance—Japan and the Great War—Military and Naval
Expansion—Japan and China—The Twenty-one Demands—Agreement with
Russia regarding China—Lansing-Ishii Agreement—Effects of Great
War on Situation in Far East 274

CHAPTER XXIX

The Japanese Family System 283

CHAPTER XXX

Education 292