1868-1912
MEIJI PERIODICAL
KOREA DECLARED INDEPENDENCE FROM CHINA After centuries of paying tribute to China, Japan had helped Korea gain Independence. AT DAWN today, 23 July, 1894, Japanese troops seized the Korean king’s palace and ordered the king to declare Korea’s independence from China. The king was forced to agree and Hinally, after being a “hermit country” and paying tribute to China for many years, Korea declared independence from China and expelled the Chinese from Korea. Japan assisted in the
By JinJin Xu establishment of Korea’s independence and changes will soon be made to the Korean government following Ito Hirobumi’s orders. According to the leader of the Japansese army, Yamagata Aritomo said that for its own security, Japan needed some measure of control over Korea, even if it meant war with China. (Continued on pg 2)
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TABLE OF CONTENTS Korea Declare Independence from China---- (p 1) Changes to Education a Great Success ------(p 3) Lifestyle Ballroom dancing etiquette & tips ---------(p 4) Editorial Westernization for better or worse? -------(p 5) Interview Through a Samurai’s Point of View-------- (p 6) Political Cartoon------------------------(p 6)
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Changes to Education a Great Success Brook Worme 10, July 1910
A Ministry of Education was established in 1871 to provide education to all people, as the Meiji government believed that a modernized society needed an organized system of education. Following the many changes made in education, Emperor Meiji also introduced a “Rescript on Education”, which stressed the importance of harmony and loyalty to the throne. Now, 50 years later, the amount of signiHicant changes made to education is obvious, and the results, more optimistic than ever.
1910, marks a new high for education‐ more than 98% of Japanese students are receiving compulsory education, the Rescript on Education still given great reverence throughout the land and copies displayed in every school, and it had formed the basis of Japan’s philosophy on education. Before, Japan had a terakoya
educational system—small makeshift classrooms in people’s houses. But with the establishment of the Ministry of Education, education was provided to all people, regardless of their social class or gender. Under the system, ordinary people were taught reading, writing and the abacus. (Continued on pg 7)
Below: A traditional Terakoya
Korea Declare Independence From China (Cont. from Pg 1) Yamagata Aritomo saw conHlict over Korea as inevitable and stated that
help quash the rebellion of a popular religious group, the Tong Hak society‐ which aimed to rid the country of all foreign inHluence. By the time the reinforcement arrived, the rebellion had already been put down by loyal
“the high handed attitude of the Chinese toward Korea, which was antagonistic to the interests of Japan, showed our ofHicers that a great war was to be expected sooner or later on the continent…” Above: Leader of Japanese army, Yamagata Aritomo.
“the high handed attitude of the Chinese toward Korea, which was antagonistic to the interests of Japan, showed our ofHicers that a great war was to be expected sooner or later on the continent…” At the beginning of this year, the Korean king requested China and Japan to send troops to
Korean forces. However, both countries refused to withdraw their troops, and the Chinese refused Ito Hirobumi’s request of sweeping changes to the Korean government. Thus, with the signed order from the King of Korea expelling the Chinese, the state between China and Japan is tense and might ignite warfare.
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LIFESTYLE
Queenie B. Editor of Lifestyle section
As ballroom dancing becomes increasingly popular, Queenie B is here to teach you the basic etiquettes and give some tips on ballroom dancing.
The only way to get out on the dance floor at a ballroom dance is for one person to ask another to dance. When dancers have regular partners, this part is easy. However, dancers who are alone may find it difficult at first to ask others to dance. While in long-ago times it was considered forward for women to ask men to dance, it is now very commonplace and expected. At most ballroom dances, men and women ask each other to dance alternately—and it is also very common for couples who attend together to split up and dance with other people as well as each other. If a dancer does not know who to ask for a dance or wants to wait to be asked, they should stand near the dance floor, looking relaxed and happy—like they want to dance. Sulking in a corner is a great way to scare off potential partners. Body language is an important indicator of whether a person wants to dance. It is generally considered bad manners to decline a dance invitation. Each song only lasts for about three minutes, so unless the asker is physically painful or otherwise upsetting to dance with, the askee should accept—or avoid the asker subtly before being asked so as not to hurt their feelings.
Not wanting to dance with beginners simply because it is boring is not very nice—and another way to scare off potential partners.
Because dance floors can be very crowded, it is important to use good floorcraft—the art of moving around the floor without crashing or cutting anyone off. This is the leader’s job, although if the follower can see that the leader is about to back into someone, she can warn him or squeeze his shoulder to stop it from happening. Traffic flows in a counter-clockwise direction, with faster dancers generally staying on the outside of the track and slower dancers toward the middle, although there is often some zig-zagging involved. Dancers who are not traveling very much at all should be in the center of the floor. Those who wish to interrupt their travel around the floor to do a picture line, such as an oversway or dip, should either do so deep in the corner or in the middle of the floor where they will not be in anyone’s way. Ballroom dancing is a wonderful, fun social hobby that is best enjoyed when everyone learns and employs a few simple rules of dance etiquette.
TIPS
PUT HAIR UP
BREATH MINTS
BE PUNCTUAL
INTRODUCTION
MEN LEAD
For both men and women, if you have long hair, be sure to pin it up because during twirls, the hair can whip your partner in the face and eyes.
There is nothing worse than being stuck with a partner with bad breath. However, too much perform/ cologn is a nono as well.
You don't want to let your partner miss out because of your tardiness, or worse, arrive and your partner has found another person to dance with for the evening.
Introduce yourself immediately upon asking someone to dance, or just after. It is nice to be able to know the person's name that you are dancing with.
Let the man lead. If a woman and a man are dancing together, you should follow proper ballroom etiquette and let the man lead.
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BETTER!
I was born and raised in Japan and I love Japanese culture. Every morning, I pay my respects to my ancestors, drink green tea, and make sushi for my family. However, as much as I respect Japanese culture, I think we MUST embrace Western culture in order to proceed into the future and together, become a stronger and more powerful nation. Embracing other cultures is the sign of a truly developed country. We cannot keep on holding on to the past and unwilling to move past the kimonos and swords. Instead, we should be widening our horizons with Western ideas, satisfying our hunger with Western food (mmm, hamburgers), and trying to look our best with Western hairstyles and their beautiful lace dresses. Life will always be a battle for survival between the weak and the strong, and if the Japanese culture is technologically weaker right now, it only makes sense that we should be accepting the stronger culture, and the more effective Western ideas. We have to accept the truth that the Western countries are more technologically advanced than us right now. It is difHicult to accept but we have to deal with the truth sooner or later. In order to be seen as their equal, we should not only be adopting Western science and technology, but also aspects of Western culture. Only when we have successfully incorporated their culture into our culture, they would not look down at us and view us as the inferior nation.
EDITORIAL
Westernization for Better or for Worse?
WORSE!
Having lived in Japan for the past 50 years, I am disgusted beyond belief to witness the terrible changes that had swept over Japan. I watched as the women scrambled to get their hair curled and colored the “Western” style. I watched as they switched in their traditional Kimono for those big, shiny, dresses. I heard the school children incorporating English into our sacred language in class. I strained my ears to hear the familiar scratching of chopsticks… but could only hear the cold clinking of forks and knives. Finally, I cannot stand to watch idly by any longer! I have to warn my fellow Japanese of the doom that is impending on our culture! The blind craze for anything, anything, western is not only foolish, but is degrading to our Japanese culture. Why are the Japanese now taking so lightly of our long and fruitful traditions? Why are they so willing to betray the culture they were raised in, and so eager to adopt the culture of foreigners they have nothing to do with? Do they want to be clones of those yellow haired monsters? My heart cracks as I see more and more of our culture seeping away. The culture that had taken us thousands of years to perfect, perishing now in this generation spoiled rotten by blue eyed rodents.
Aki-Hime Age: 25 Home: Tokyo Occupation: Student
Kaya Nakamura Age: 52 Home: Nagoa Occupation: retired
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The government are steadily removing samurai privileges they have enjoyed for centuries. We are honored to have Haiyo Kureyama here with the MeiJi Periodical to share his view point as a samurai.
Interview Left: guest Hairo Kureyama
Describe your life as a samurai. My family had been samurais for centuries. Our traditions had been passed down from generation to generation and the art of warfare taught to the chosen sons. The word samurai means those who serve. At birth we were destined to Hight and protect our emperor and daimyos. We follow a very strict code of behavior known as Bushido‐ the way of the warrior, which demanded absolute loyalty, bravery and honour. Many will commit ritual suicide‐ seppuku, if we feel we had failed in their duty, or were faced with the need to surrender in battle. As in the poem Ode to Yakomochi, something all samurais learn to heart, “Leaving our bodies sodden on the high seas or rotting in the grass of the wild moor, we gladly die for our Liege Lord.” Committing seppuku is taking it to the extreme in modern society, isn’t it? Anyways Daimyos became nobles in 1869, and emperors have no real power, so to whom do you serve? Seppuku is not extremist at all, to samurais, it is a very honorable way to die. I do not
think society is becoming more modern, in contrast, it is backtracking towards less civilized times. Now, conscripted civilians are taking over our military roles although it is not their destiny. They do not seem to understand that war is an art that intertwines with ones destiny. Not just learning to shoot a… gun. So how do you feel about modern weaponry such as guns? I see you are not wearing your swords. Guns are cheating replacements of swords. Swords are the only real weapon and the true sign of a samurai. However, since March, we samurais have been banned from wearing swords in public except on ceremonial occasions. That rule is strictly unfair! My sides feel bare without my swords. My family had a long tradition of wearing swords, and I feel absolutely ashamed that I will be the Hirst one to discontinue our tradition.
You call those rags they wear… clothing? I am very worried about what will come of our race. The craze for all things Western is slowly bringing upon death to our long and beautiful culture and traditions. How do you feel about the Satsuma Rebellion? I deeply regret the fact that I was not part of the rebellion and I wish I had been part of the 30,000 samurais that were led into battle by Saigo Takamori against government forces. I can not believe they were defeated by the newly conscripted imperial army. What do they know about war anyways? It all must be a scam, because there is no way we samurais, whose blood Hlows with the art of warfare, would lose against lowly conscripted commoners!
The government was only thinking of other civilians’ safety when they banned swords. Samurais do look strange walking next to other Japanese in Western style clothing.
Above: Political Cartoon
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(Cont. from pg 3) In 1872, it was decreed that all Japanese children must have at least four years of primary schooling. As schools spread across the country, Japan’s Hirst tertiary institution, Tokyo University, was founded in 1877. Nine years
later, it was reorganized into a genuine multi‐ faculty university and became the principal training centre for future government leaders. Other universities were later established in Kyoto (1897), Fukuoka (1910) and Sapporo (1918).
Above: Tokyo University
Above: Kyoto University Below: Advertisement Above: Fukuoka University
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