The autobiography of Fukuzawa is an interesting cross breed of Western and Japanese culture. He logically attempts to reason with all traditions. He tries to do the same with modern western ideas as well. Fukuzawa rejected few traditional Japanese ideas of Shinto, Confucianism, and also the ideas of Feudalism. He didn't believe in the differences of social classes, since he came from a poor background himself. .
In the beginning of his autobiography Fukuzawa writes about the struggle of being in the feudal system. He felt that he could not improve his social standing in the society due to the fact that the ranks in society were based on birth. He writes, "Everywhere people clung to the ancient custom by which the rank of every member of a clan was inalterably fixed by his birth Neither intelligence nor ability could prevent the scorn of their superiors." Because of his social rank, Fukuzawa felt insecure, "I recall being always discontent with the things I had to endure.".
Fukuzawa's father was a very educated man. He believed in the ideas of Confucianism. Confucianism had a big impact on Fukuzawa's father. But it was the feudal system that Fukuzawa felt, had disappointed his father. The only was Fukuzawa's father saw the advancement of Fukuzawa in this rigid, close-minded society was through priesthood. Fukuzawa writes, "I am filled with heart-pity when I think that he should have lived the fort-five years of his life in fetters of the feudal system, and died before any of his desires had been fulfilled." .
The Japanese had the prejudice of only poor people working with hands. Fukuzawa rejected that ideology. With learning, he also seemed to love working with his hands. He would take minor jobs with wood-works and repair through the skills that his hands possessed. He rejected some of Samurai conventions, such as having a wrapped towel around the face. Samurai used to wear a towel on the face when they used to run errands at night.
As a family man, however, Fukuzawa took a more lenient temper towards his children. ... According to Fukuzawa this was part of the reason why Japan was not moving forward. ... A farmer runs into Fukuzawa as he is riding a horse. ... Though very well disciplined, Fukuzawa's students never really got too out of line. ... Fukuzawa proved to be a dynamic advocate in the modernization of Japan. ...
Fukuzawa Yukuzawa has one of the best-known faces in Japan, as his portrait appears on 10,000 yen bank notes. ... During that period, Eurocentrism has a great impact on Fukuzawa and Japan. ... Fukuzawa got great influence from Eurocentrism, which showed in the practical and popular character of his writings, therefore, Fukuzawa Yukichi was Eurocentric. ... Based on all the arguments shown above, it is concluded that Fukuzawa was Eurocentric. ... Based on those evidences and arguements, Fukuzawa was not Eurocentric in some ways. ...
Fukuzawa Yukichi and Kayano Shigeru were both men who were directly affected by the Meiji Restoration. Fukuzawa was a low ranking samurai under the semi-feudal Tokugawa regime. ... Fukuzawa's experience in Meiji Japan, however, is sharply contrasted by the life story of Kayano Shigeru. ... Fukuzawa was born in 1835 in Osaka into the family of a low ranking samurai. ... Fukuzawa served as a kind of spokesman for westernization, and was able to see his own ideas applied directly to Japan's social conditions of the time (Fukuzawa 334). ...
Chinese civilization has a reputation not only for strengths of economics and military but also for a seductive culture. Historically, Chinese culture has a thousand-year depth of development. Qin Shi Huang conquered all Warring States and united China. Since then, China owned a variety of cultures ...
Yes, I would lead Japan to war, not for zaibatsus who only cared for their own profit interest or for the boosting of the ego of the army but for Japan's strategic needs. Firstly, I agree to Fukuzawa Yukichi that it is important to strengthen Japan now before the Westerners invade her just like t...
The concepts of 'Jiyushugi' (principle of self-judgement) and 'Bummei Kaika' (civilisation and enlightenment) had been celebrated through the writings of earlier Meiji intellectuals such as Fukuzawa Yukichi and Nakamura Masano15, and had remained sufficiently vitalised up until the 1920's with political organisations such as the Kenseikai party (Constitutional Government party) making considerable apparent headway in achieving democratic governance. ...
