DOCSLIB.ORG

The Economic Thought of Shōji Kōki and the Tenpō Reforms in Saga Domain

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Economic Thought of Shōji Kōki and the Tenpō Reforms in Saga Domain THE ECONOMIC THOUGHT OF SHŌJI KŌKI AND THE TENPŌ REFORMS IN SAGA DOMAIN Jan Sýkora* In the first part of the nineteenth century the Tokugawa regime was confronted with both political and economic crises that resulted in political and social disorder. Moreover, the foreign threat stemming from the concerted activities of the Western powers, whose ships fre- quently appeared offshore in unprecedented numbers, was an unmis- takable omen of the coming crises of shogunal foreign policy. The series of attempts undertaken in the early 1840s by both shogunate and individual domains to stabilize the political, economic, and social systems and strengthen military capabilities did not produce satisfac- tory results. Compared to both the shogunate government and the majority of domains, however, Saga domain coped with the problems in a relatively successful way. The reforms that had been implemented by the young domain lord (hanshu), Nabeshima Naomasa 鍋島直正 (1814–1871), since 1835 contributed to economic stabilization and became a platform for constructing and operating the first reverbera- tory furnace (hansharo 反射炉) in Japan in 1850. New technology for mobilizing and managing economic resources became necessary for successful manufacturing of heavy artillery and for opening the door for implementing the policy of “the rich country with the strong army” in the early Meiji period. Although the leading role in sketching and elaborating these plans was played by a group of domainal intellectu- als of samurai origin, with Naomasa’s advisor Koga Kokudō 古賀穀 堂 (1776–1836) as the central figure, one cannot omit the partial role of the commoners represented by the wealthy merchant from Arita, Shōji Kōki 正司考祺 (1793–1857). In this chapter I will focus on three main topics: first, analysis of the broader intellectual and social net- work through which Kōki introduced his main economic ideas to the representatives of Saga domain; second, part of his economic thought * I greatfully acknowledge the helpful comments on this essay by participants of the Economic Thought in Early Modern Japan conferences held at Tübingen Univer- sity (May 29–June 1, 2008) and Columbia University (June 26–27, 2009). 158 jan sýkora concerning the main causes of the economic stagnation in Saga domain in the first quarter of the nineteenth century; and third, how much of his practical advice was actually implemented in the Tenpō Reforms in Saga domain. Although no one disputes Japan’s fascinating economic develop- ment during most of the twentieth century, there has been less agree- ment about the degree and ingenuity of the intellectual modernization that accompanied it.1 Part of the assessment problem stems from the general difficulties inherent in any intellectual history: the scope of new ideas in the given intellectual milieu is actually to some extent formed and limited by the intellectual heritage from which these ideas spring. In this respect, the Meiji Restoration should be viewed as a culmination of broad intellectual discourse on political and economic issues rather than as the mere starting point of modernization. Such a view, generally accepted in the realm of political thought, has been uncommon in the realm of economic thought. In the study of the history of economic thought in the last quarter of the Tokugawa period, research efforts have been focused primar- ily on the narrative about how the main schools and leading persons viewed, discussed, and reflected the crucial economic problems of the Tokugawa regime.2 The huge number of academic studies published during the last two decades in both Japanese and in Western languages has, however, proved that the intellectual ferment of Tokugawa society (particularly in its last stage of development) was more complex, com- prising many local scholars who were active on the periphery.3 1 Sugihara 1998, p. xi. 2 A general overview of the history of economic thought in Western languages can be found, for example, in Honjō 1965; Najita 1987; Morris-Suzuki 1989; or Komuro 1998. 3 The masterful analyses of the patterns of local economic history provided by Philip C. Brown, Mark Ravina, Luke S. Roberts, and other historians represent the new line of approach to the economic thought and political economy of early mod- ern Japan. For comprehensive discussion on the formation of local autonomy, see Brown 1993; Roberts 1998; and Ravina 1999. One cannot omit the pathbreaking, eight-volume series Nihon keizaishi (The Economic History of Japan, 1988–1989), the abridged English version of which has been appearing since 2004 under the title Economic History of Japan 1600–1990. The economic issues of early modern Japan are discussed in the first volume: Hayami et al. 2004, Emergence of Economic Society in Japan 1600–1859. Although this work is focused mainly on economic history, its significance for the study of economic thought is obvious..
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Collecting Karamono Kodō 唐物古銅 in Meiji Japan: Archaistic Chinese Bronzes in the Chiossone Museum, Genoa, Italy
    Transcultural Perspectives 4/2020 - 1 Gonatella Failla "ollecting karamono kod( 唐物古銅 in Mei3i Japan: Archaistic Chinese 4ronzes in the Chiossone Museum, Genoa, Ital* Introduction public in the special e>hibition 7ood for the The Museum of Oriental Art, enoa, holds the Ancestors, 7lo#ers for the ods: Transformations of !apanese and Chinese art collections #hich Edoardo Archaistic 4ronzes in China and !apan01 The e>hibits Chiossone % enoa 1833-T()*( 1898) -athered during #ere organised in 5ve main cate-ories: archaistic his t#enty-three-year sta* in !apan, from !anuary copies and imitations of archaic ritual 2ronzes; 1875 until his death in April 1898. A distinguished 4uddhist ritual altar sets in archaistic styleC )aramono professor of design and engraving techniques, )od( hanaike, i.e0 Chinese @o#er 2ronzes collected in Chiossone #as hired 2* the Meiji -overnment to !apan; Chinese 2ronzes for the scholar’s studioC install modern machinery and esta2lish industrial !apan’s reinvention of Chinese archaismB 2ronze and production procedures at the Imperial Printing iron for chanoyu %tea ceremony), for 2unjincha %tea of 4ureau, T()*(, to instruct the youn- -eneration of the literati,, and for @o#er arrangement in the formal designers and engravers, and to produce securit* rik)a style0 printed products such as 2anknotes, state 2ond 4esides documenting the a-es-old, multifaceted certificates, monopoly and posta-e stamps. He #as interest of China in its o#n antiquit* and its unceasing #ell-)no#n also as a portraitist of contemporaneous revivals, the Chiossone 2ronze collection attests to historic 5-ures, most nota2ly Philipp-7ranz von the !apanese tradition of -athering Chinese 2ronzes 9ie2old %1796-1866, and Emperor Meiji %1852-1912, r.
    [Show full text]
  • Some Observations on the Weddings of Tokugawa Shogun’S Daughters – Part 2
    University of Pennsylvania ScholarlyCommons Department of East Asian Languages and Civilizations School of Arts and Sciences October 2012 Some Observations on the Weddings of Tokugawa Shogun’s Daughters – Part 2 Cecilia S. Seigle Ph.D. University of Pennsylvania, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://repository.upenn.edu/ealc Part of the Family, Life Course, and Society Commons, Inequality and Stratification Commons, and the Social and Cultural Anthropology Commons Recommended Citation Seigle, Cecilia S. Ph.D., "Some Observations on the Weddings of Tokugawa Shogun’s Daughters – Part 2" (2012). Department of East Asian Languages and Civilizations. 8. https://repository.upenn.edu/ealc/8 This paper is posted at ScholarlyCommons. https://repository.upenn.edu/ealc/8 For more information, please contact [email protected]. Some Observations on the Weddings of Tokugawa Shogun’s Daughters – Part 2 Abstract This section discusses the complex psychological and philosophical reason for Shogun Yoshimune’s contrasting handlings of his two adopted daughters’ and his favorite son’s weddings. In my thinking, Yoshimune lived up to his philosophical principles by the illogical, puzzling treatment of the three weddings. We can witness the manifestation of his modest and frugal personality inherited from his ancestor Ieyasu, cohabiting with his strong but unconventional sense of obligation and respect for his benefactor Tsunayoshi. Disciplines Family, Life Course, and Society | Inequality and Stratification | Social and Cultural Anthropology This is available at ScholarlyCommons: https://repository.upenn.edu/ealc/8 Weddings of Shogun’s Daughters #2- Seigle 1 11Some Observations on the Weddings of Tokugawa Shogun’s Daughters – Part 2 e.
    [Show full text]
  • Mother of the Nation: Femininity, Modernity, and Class in the Image of Empress Teimei
    Mother of the Nation: Femininity, Modernity, and Class in the Image of Empress Teimei By ©2016 Alison Miller Submitted to the graduate degree program in the History of Art and the Graduate Faculty of the University of Kansas in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. ________________________________ Chairperson Dr. Maki Kaneko ________________________________ Dr. Sherry Fowler ________________________________ Dr. David Cateforis ________________________________ Dr. John Pultz ________________________________ Dr. Akiko Takeyama Date Defended: April 15, 2016 The Dissertation Committee for Alison Miller certifies that this is the approved version of the following dissertation: Mother of the Nation: Femininity, Modernity, and Class in the Image of Empress Teimei ________________________________ Chairperson Dr. Maki Kaneko Date approved: April 15, 2016 ii Abstract This dissertation examines the political significance of the image of the Japanese Empress Teimei (1884-1951) with a focus on issues of gender and class. During the first three decades of the twentieth century, Japanese society underwent significant changes in a short amount of time. After the intense modernizations of the late nineteenth century, the start of the twentieth century witnessed an increase in overseas militarism, turbulent domestic politics, an evolving middle class, and the expansion of roles for women to play outside the home. As such, the early decades of the twentieth century in Japan were a crucial period for the formation of modern ideas about femininity and womanhood. Before, during, and after the rule of her husband Emperor Taishō (1879-1926; r. 1912-1926), Empress Teimei held a highly public role, and was frequently seen in a variety of visual media.
    [Show full text]
  • A Historical Analysis of the Traditional Japanese Decision-Making Process in Contrast with the U.S
    Portland State University PDXScholar Dissertations and Theses Dissertations and Theses 1976 A historical analysis of the traditional Japanese decision-making process in contrast with the U.S. system and implications for intercultural deliberations Shoji Mitarai Portland State University Follow this and additional works at: https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds Part of the Speech and Rhetorical Studies Commons Let us know how access to this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Mitarai, Shoji, "A historical analysis of the traditional Japanese decision-making process in contrast with the U.S. system and implications for intercultural deliberations" (1976). Dissertations and Theses. Paper 2361. https://doi.org/10.15760/etd.2358 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations and Theses by an authorized administrator of PDXScholar. Please contact us if we can make this document more accessible: [email protected]. AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OF Shoji Mitarai for the Master of Arts in Speech Conununication presented February 16, 1976. Title: A Historical Analysis of the Traditional Japanese Decision-Maki~g Process in Contrast with the U.S. System and Implications for Intercultural Delibera­ tions. APPROVED BY MEMBERS OF THE THESIS COMMITTEES: The purpose of this research.is to (1) describe and analyze the different methods used by Japanese ·and by U.S. persons to reach ~greement in small. group deliberations, (2) discover the depth of ·conunitment and personal involvement with th~se methods by tracing their historical b~ginni~gs, and (3) draw implications 2 from (1) and (2) as to probability of success of current problem solving deliberations involving members of both ·groups.
    [Show full text]
  • Introduction the Making of Decadence in Japan 1
    Notes Introduction The Making of Decadence in Japan 1. Nakao Seigo, “Regendered Artistry: Tanizaki Junichiro and the Tradition of Decadence,” (Ph.D. Diss. New York U, 1992), p. 53. 2. Homi K. Bhabha, The Location of Culture. New York: Routledge, 1994, p. 122. 3. Ibid., p. 123. 4. Ibid., p. 130. 5. Kamishima Jirō, Kindai nihon no seishin kōzō [The Structure of the Modern Japanese Mind]. Tokyo: Iwanami, 1961, p. 183. Kamishima introduces the word “reiki” (encouraging reinforcement) to describe the acculturation pro- cess that appeared to further the social phenomenon of decadence in late Meiji Japan. He argues that individualism, the decay of conventional ethics, the corruption of public morals, and a collective neurosis, etc., were ubiqui- tous by the end of the Meiji period. According to Kamishima, these social fac- tors already existed in pre-Meiji Japan, but became more visible in the 1900s. These indigenous factors were not transplanted but simply “reinforced” through contact with the West. 6. In reality, Ariwara no Narihira lived in the ninth century (825–880). Ise Monogatari offers a fictional version of Narihira and places him in the context of the year 950 or thereabouts. Karaki traces Narihira’s decadent image not on the basis of biographical facts but via the fictional image created by the author of Ise Monogatari. See Karaki Junzō, Muyōsha no keifu. Tokyo: Chikuma, 1960, p. 10. 7. Fujiwara no Kusuko (?–810), a daughter of Fujiwara no Tanetsugu and the wife of Fujiwara no Tadanushi, was Emperor Heijō’s mistress. She and her brother, Fujiwara no Nakanari, vehemently opposed the Emperor’s decision to leave the throne.
    [Show full text]
  • Daijosai and the Separation of Religion and State
    Japanese Society and Culture Volume 2 Article 4 2-28-2020 Daijosai and the Separation of Religion and State Thomas Makoto Naruse Department of Law, Kokushikan University Follow this and additional works at: https://gensoken.toyo.ac.jp/japanese-society-and-culture Part of the Constitutional Law Commons, and the Japanese Studies Commons Recommended Citation Naruse, Thomas Makoto (2020) "Daijosai and the Separation of Religion and State," Japanese Society and Culture: Vol. 2 , Article 4. Available at: https://gensoken.toyo.ac.jp/japanese-society-and-culture/vol2/iss1/4 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by Institute of Social Sciences. It has been accepted for inclusion in Japanese Society and Culture by an authorized editor of Institute of Social Sciences. Daijosai and the Separation of Religion and State 031 【Received 1 October 2019 / Revised 29 November 2019 / Accepted 6 December 2019】 Daijosai and the Separation of Religion and State Thomas Makoto Naruse ※ Abstract Daijosai, which is regarded as an indispensable ceremony for the accession of the throne, is a Shinto ceremony. Therefore, as Japanese Constitution defines separation of church and state, it is not held as a national ceremony (a state act) but held as a ceremony of the imperial house. On the other hand, since it is said to be an indispensable ceremony for the accession of the throne, government finds public significance, and the cost is covered by the national expenses. Criticisms that claim violation of separation of church and state arise, and many lawsuits were filed. This article reveals that behind the argument of Daijosai and separation of church and state, there are two contexts.
    [Show full text]
  • Art of the Heisei Period 1989 – 2019
    Press Release 2020.11.30 First ever large-scale retrospective exhibition of Heisei (1989-2019) Japanese art! Bubbles/Debris: Art of the Heisei Period 1989 – 2019 Dates: January 23 (Sat.) – April 11 (Sun.), 2021 Venue: Higashiyama Cube, Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art Organizer: Heisei Art Exhibition Executive Committee (The City of Kyoto, The Asahi Shimbun) Curatorial Supervisor: Sawaragi Noi Corporate Sponsors: SunM Color Co., Ltd. Minebea Mitsumi Inc. Chim↑Pom Build-Burger 2016 Courtesy of the artist, Aside from the standard Western system of counting years, Japan uses MUJIN-TO Production, ANOMALY Photo: Kenji Morita a system based on the enthronement and reigns of emperors. The Meiji Image for reference only Period, for example, is marked by the reign of Emperor Meiji (1868-1912), the Taisho Period (1912-1926) by the reign of Emperor Taisho, and the Showa Period (1923-1989) by the reign of Emperor Showa. The Heisei period coincides with the reign of Emperor Akihito (1989-2019). Art critic Sawaragi Noi, who has consistently engaged in incisive analysis on Japanese contemporary art since the late 1980s, is curating the Bubbles/Debris: Art of the Heisei Period 1989-2019 exhibition to be held at Higashiyama Cube. This exhibition looks back on the Heisei period* with a focus on the response of Japanese artists and art groups specifically Is Tohoku-ga possible? Ark Plan 2011 selected by Sawaragi to the series of unprecedented natural disasters and Photo: SENO HIROMI (FLOT) economic stagnation in Japan during this time. The exhibition keywords are ‘bubbles’ and ‘debris.’ My idea is to review the more than 30 years of Heisei art from the standpoint of Kyoto at the dawn of the turmoil-ridden Reiwa period.
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter 3: Premodern Japan - the Azuchi-Momoyama and Edo Periods
    | 137 Chapter 3: Premodern Japan - The Azuchi-Momoyama and Edo Periods Section 1 – From warring states to national unification Topic 31 – The warring states daimyo What were the distinguishing characteristics of the new style of government instituted by | 138 the warring states daimyo? The emergence of the daimyo The protector-daimyo lost their positions of strength during and after the Onin War. Gekokujo became widespread as more and more of the powerful retainers and village samurai toppled the protector-daimyo through force of arms and installed themselves as masters of their provinces. These new feudal lords are called the warring states daimyo.1 *1=The major daimyo families included the Hojo clan of Sagami Province (modern-day Kanagawa Prefecture), the Asakura clan of Echizen Province (modern-day Fukui Prefecture), the Imagawa clan, whose power extended from Suruga Province (modern-day Shizuoka Prefecture) to Mikawa Province (modern-day eastern Aichi Prefecture), the Uesugi clan of Echigo Province (modern-day Niigata Prefecture), the Takeda clan of Kai Province (modern-day Yamanashi Prefecture), and the Mori clan, which was based in Aki Province (modern-day Hiroshima Prefecture) and extended its influence across southern Japan, including Shikoku and Kyushu. Japan's farming villages had already been forming their own governing bodies called so and asserting their autonomy since the time of the War of the Northern and Southern Courts, which had loosened the grip of the shogunate and the protectors over rural communities. Some of these so had been organizing ikki to achieve common ends. Under the leadership of local samurai, they often succeeded in making their demands heard.
    [Show full text]
  • The Quality of Emperorship in 21St Century Japan: Reflections on the Reiwa Accession
    Volume 18 | Issue 12 | Number 1 | Article ID 5404 | Jun 05, 2020 The Asia-Pacific Journal | Japan Focus The Quality of Emperorship in 21st Century Japan: Reflections on the Reiwa Accession John Breen the people and being with the people. The emperor’s TV address sent shock waves across 1 Introduction Japan, and prompted a rush of commentary about emperorship, about abdication, and, On 8 August 2016, Emperor Akihito 明仁天皇 indeed, about the precarious future of the (r. 1989-2019) appeared on national TV to imperial line. The ruling LDP spoke up, as did address the Japanese people for only the all the major political parties. There were 2 second time in his twenty seven year reign. His vociferous interventions, too, from the ultra- first appearance was five years before in March conservative Nippon Kaigi日本会議 2011 in response to the devastation of the organization, of which Prime Minister Abe 3 Great East Japan Earthquake. In 2016, it was Shinzō 安倍晋三 is a member.4 The several the very different matter of abdication that experts, whom the prime minister subsequently animated him. In a performance that was all consulted, let their views be known.5 Others, the more riveting for being understated, he not directly consulted, spoke up from across informed the nation - in suitably oblique fashion the political spectrum. Some academics - but - of his desire to abdicate. The problem he surprisingly few – also pitched in. confronted was the law. The Imperial Household Law (Kōshitsu tenpan 皇室典範) has This author was struck by the fact that no provision for abdication; rather in Chapter 3 commentators gave no critical attention to the it provides for a regency in the event an emperor’s rites of accession.
    [Show full text]
  • Industrious Revolution” Revisited: a Variety of Diligence Derived from a Long-Term Local History of Kuta in Kyô-Otagi, a Former County in Japan
    Article “Industrious Revolution” Revisited: A Variety of Diligence Derived from a Long-Term Local History of Kuta in Kyô-Otagi, a Former County in Japan Satoshi Murayama 1,* and Hiroko Nakamura 2 1 International Consortium for Earth and Development Sciences, Kagawa University, Takamatsu 760-8522, Kagawa, Japan 2 Faculty of Education, Kagawa University, Takamatsu 760-8522, Kagawa, Japan; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +81-87-832-1571 Abstract: Jan de Vries revised Akira Hayami’s original theory of the “Industrious Revolution” to make the idea more applicable to early modern commercialization in Europe, showcasing the development of the rural proletariat and especially the consumer revolution and women’s emancipation on the way toward an “Industrial Revolution.” However, Japanese villages followed a different path from the Western trajectory of the “Industrious Revolution,” which is recognized as the first step to industrialization. This article will explore how a different form of “industriousness” developed in Japan, covering medieval, early modern, and modern times. It will first describe why the communal village system was established in Japan and how this unique institution, the self-reliance system of a village, affected commercialization and industrialization and was sustained until modern times. Then, the local history of Kuta Village in Kyô-Otagi, a former county located close to Kyoto, is considered over the long term, from medieval through modern times. Kuta was not directly affected Citation: Murayama, S.; Nakamura, by the siting of new industrial production bases and the changes brought to villages located nearer H. “Industrious Revolution” to Kyoto. A variety of diligent interactions with living spaces is introduced to demonstrate that the Revisited: A Variety of Diligence Derived from a Long-Term Local industriousness of local women was characterized by conscience-driven perseverance.
    [Show full text]
  • Japan and Its East Asian Neighbors: Japan’S Perception of China and Korea and the Making of Foreign Policy from the Seventeenth to the Nineteenth Century
    JAPAN AND ITS EAST ASIAN NEIGHBORS: JAPAN’S PERCEPTION OF CHINA AND KOREA AND THE MAKING OF FOREIGN POLICY FROM THE SEVENTEENTH TO THE NINETEENTH CENTURY DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Norihito Mizuno, M.A. ***** The Ohio State University 2004 Dissertation Committee: Approved by Professor James R. Bartholomew, Adviser Professor Philip C. Brown Adviser Professor Peter L. Hahn Graduate Program in History Copyright by Norihito Mizuno 2004 ABSTRACT This dissertation is a study of Japanese perceptions of its East Asian neighbors – China and Korea – and the making of foreign policy from the early seventeenth century to the late nineteenth century. Previous studies have overwhelmingly argued that after the Meiji Restoration of 1868, Japan started to modernize itself by learning from the West and changed its attitudes toward those neighboring countries. It supposedly abandoned its traditional friendship and reverence toward its neighbors and adopted aggressive and contemptuous attitudes. I have no intention of arguing here that the perspective of change and discontinuity in Japan’s attitudes toward its neighbors has no validity at all; Japan did adopt Western-style diplomacy toward its neighbors, paralleling the abandonment of traditional culture which had owed much to other East Asian civilizations since antiquity. In this dissertation, through examination primarily of official and private documents, I maintain that change and discontinuity cannot fully explain the Japanese policy toward its East Asian neighbors from the early seventeenth to the late nineteenth century. The Japanese perceptions and attitudes toward China and ii Korea had some aspects of continuity.
    [Show full text]
  • Bodies of Evidence Imperial Funeral Rites and the Meiji Restoration
    Japanese Journal of Religious Studies 2000 27/3-4 Bodies of Evidence Imperial Funeral Rites and the Meiji Restoration Edmund T. G ilday Prior to the Meiji period (1868-1912) imperial funerals and memorial rites in Japan had been conducted as Buddhist ceremonies for over a mil­ lennium. It is said that the emperor M eiji’s father, Komei, was buried according to Buddhist protocols; it was not until memorial rites in 1869 marking the third anniversary of Komei's death that all vestiges of Bud­ dhist liturgy were ostensibly proscribed as part of a wider attempt to purify the nation of the evil of Buddhism. But these observations tend to obscure what is actually known about the imperial mortuary tradition, especially at critical moments in its modern metamorphosis. This essay questions the historical judgment that Kdmei’s mortuary rites mark a clean break with tradition, suggesting instead that the twentieth-century conventions of imperial mortuary practice did not in fact get established until after the Meiji period had come to an end. Keywords: Komei — Meiji —— soso girei — shinsdsai — sanryo — taisd(-gi) — shinbutsu bunri — Japanese emperor The study of the modern Japanese emperor system in English lan­ guage scholarship has made remarkable strides in the past fifteen years, with new and valuable attention paid to the ritual dimensions of the Meiji revolution (see Gluck 1985; H ardacre 1989; Ketelaar 1990; Fujitani 1996). One area that has not received the attention it deserves, however, is the matter of imperial death. In an effort to stimulate fur­ ther discussion of this important topic, I want to begin with some questions.
    [Show full text]