Japan as an Exemplum of Social Order in Turn-of-the-Century British and American Educational Literature: Filial Paradise

• DOI: 10.2487/elt.52.4(2009)0046
• Publication Date: 2009-08-05T01:42:19Z
• Authors: Jenny Holt
• Keywords: Social Order; Paradise; Presumption

Japan as an Exemplum of Social Order in Turn-of-the-Century British and American Educational Literature: Filial Paradise Jenny Holt It is a common presumption among scholars Orientalism that the business producing discourses about East must be one-way process; powerful West creates fantasy east to justify its colonialist endeavors, subjugate non-European peoples for profit resources flatter Western ego. However, if we add another dimension equation—that class—the picture changes. Often elites from radically different cultures have many interests common; they share desire maintain status quo at home cooperate together across ethnic boundaries when challenged within by “other”—for example, disenfranchised lower orders or young. Middle- upper-class British, American, Japanese writers combined forces during late nineteenth early twentieth centuries promote idea civic harmony could only achieved under authority organically evolved “samurai” class. In opening section this article see how these used ideas images filial piety social consensus essentially conservative, antidemocratic agenda certain supposedly unruly elements society, second authors juvenile literature idealized children family life Both children’s are considered because representations made two groups so remarkably similar, spite differences background. [End Page 417] As self-appointed leaders class societies, ruling particular had plenty later centuries. countries were undergoing dramatic change. Britain was process rapid democratization struggling with large-scale restructuring society influx followed abolition Tokugawa Shogunate (1867–1868) restoration Emperor Sovereign marked beginning Meiji Period (1868–1912). The both thus engaged struggle liberal egalitarian began filter through masses. Frederick R. Dickinson remarks, reformers (especially those established backgrounds) special relationship existed between samurai English gentry lobbied political military partnership, which materialized Anglo-Japanese Alliance 1902.1 home, individuals sought devise ways institutions might modeled along lines. just eager advise governments on approaches maintaining order, promoted values Europe part effort, Holmes Ion put it, “projec[t] image new European observers.” These included who published works English-speaking audiences, such Cambridge-educated statesman Kencho Suematsu (1855–1920), Major General Tadayoshi Sakurai (1879–1965), Christian author diplomat Inazo Nitobe (1862–1933), whose English-language treatise values, Bushido (published 1900) will discussed later.2 Japanophiles anxious exchange ideas, particularly belonged “National Efficiency” movement, one aims cement power using combination Darwinism hygiene, eugenics obedience. Its proponents, mostly members elite, represented themselves liberals socialists but actively pursued authoritarian agenda. Impressed Japan’s victory against Russia 1905 dismayed Britain’s questionable performance BoerWar (1899–1902), overhaul promoting principles duty, patriotism self-denial outlined Nitobe’s Bushido. detailed Alfred 418] Stead, Asia specialist enthusiastic Darwinist, Great Japan: A Study National Efficiency (1908), homily discredited the...