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
 
 
CHAPTER XXXI
 
The Makers of Modern Japan—How Japan is Governed 300
 
Index 307