Practical Learning japan_politics.1
The opening of … has rendered much of the school of Dutch Learning antiquated. Newer ideas have begun to sweep through the … intellectual community, first among them the school of "practical learning".
"The important thing is that everyone regulate his conduct according to the principles of Humanity, study earnestly to acquire wide knowledge, and develop abilities appropriate to his nation. Thus, the government will be able to rule more easily, and the people to accept its rule agreeably, each finding his place and helping to preserve the peace of the nation. This should be the only aim." —Fukuzawa Yūkichi, "An Encouragement of Learning"
The Great Houses japan_politics.2
With the industrialization of …, the … have diversified into the manufacturing economy. By leveraging their wealth and connections to the state, they have been able to concentrate much of the industrial base under their control.
The Finance Minister watched from the balcony as the brokers made their bids. In the days of the rice exchanges, the end of trading would have been signaled by a man throwing a bucket of water into the throng. Now, it was a gavel-wielding man with eyes fixated on the clock. Near his desk, half-buried by a sea of brokers reaching to purchase bonds at seven percent interest, he could see someone signing a contract with a bond secured firmly in his mouth. The cacophony was deafening, buys and sells merging into something that sounded like waves crashing on rocks. The clock struck, and the man at the desk slammed his gavel against a bronze disk. Shouts of indignation rose from the crowd, and the sound of last-minute deals only increased in volume. Grumbling, he crouched under his desk, and retrieved the bucket.
The Common Citizen japan_politics.3
The erosion of the Edo class system has given rise to a civil society founded upon common nationality. Those once designated as … have come to view themselves, first and foremost, as patriotic citizens.
Shizo slowly turned his head back and forth, studying his new haircut in the bronze mirror. It was shorter than it had ever been, missing the knot he had kept for as long as he had remembered. The ends of the freshly-cut hairs felt thick and rough, and he could not stop reaching up to feel it. He abruptly shook his head, and felt the strands shift in a way they had not before. It was like the new clothing, with the high collars that irritated his neck. Uncomfortable, but beneficial. The new styles made a statement, and attracted others to his shop. His was a civilized business, and he was a taxpayer, a guardsman, a national—a civilized man.
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