Meiji Restoration: The Opening of Japan
Anti Modernization
Click on pictures to learn more about arguments against negotiating with Perry and modernization.
"The Americans who arrived recently though fully aware of the
shogunates prohibition, entered Uraga displaying a white flag as a
symbol of peace and insisted on presenting their written requests.
Moreover, they entered Edo bay, fired heavy guns in salute and even
went so far as to conduct surveys without premission. They were
arrogant and discorteous, their actions an outrage indeed, this was
the greatest disgrace we have suffered since the dawn of our history"
-Tokugawa Nariaki, 1854
shogunates prohibition, entered Uraga displaying a white flag as a
symbol of peace and insisted on presenting their written requests.
Moreover, they entered Edo bay, fired heavy guns in salute and even
went so far as to conduct surveys without premission. They were
arrogant and discorteous, their actions an outrage indeed, this was
the greatest disgrace we have suffered since the dawn of our history"
-Tokugawa Nariaki, 1854
"If we decide to resort to arms, it can have the... effects of renewing
the spirit of all people under heaven, and pacifying the central
regions of the country. Therefore, we deem it the most urgent task to
decide for war, and to find victory in the most difficult situation."
-Siago Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi of Satsuma, 1867
the spirit of all people under heaven, and pacifying the central
regions of the country. Therefore, we deem it the most urgent task to
decide for war, and to find victory in the most difficult situation."
-Siago Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi of Satsuma, 1867
Many Japanese officials believed that the only course of action that would preserve Japan's honor was to ignore the Western demands and go to war if it was necessary. Modernization also threated the power of all the leading officials in the Tokugawa system. This made modernization for some Japanese a danger to society.
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