Episode 18.1 - The Meiji Restoration by W.G Beasley

This week we ring in our new unit on Japanese literature with the first half of W.G Beasley's history of the Restoration movement, The Meiji Restoration.  Unlike Western revolutions, the push to modernize Japan came primarily from the large feudal samurai class. The aims of the samurai class while not homogenous in its entirety, primarily focused on the need to compete with the impressive industrial power of the West. Largely, they did not see their project as a progress towards social equality and human freedom, but of placing Japan as one among the great nations.



Was the Restoration movement a revolution? Listen in to find out.

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