REFLECTIONS ON THE CHANGES OF THE MEIJI ERA IN JAPAN: CULTURE AND SOCIETY

Abstract

In the mid-19th century, Japanese society underwent a profound transformation during the Meiji Restoration, which was characterised by Westernisation and modernisation. The transition from isolationism to openness led to rapid industrialization and technological progress, higher living standards, education and social mobility. The country adopted the slogan ‘wa-kon-e-sai’ (Japanese spirit – Western knowledge), which is why this era is also known as the era of Western enlightenment. The author of the article explores Japan’s path from a closed society to a prosperous nation, debunking romanticised notions of ‘the good old days’ and analysing the profound impact on culture and society. The change in the status of the samurai class influenced the formation of the country’s modern cultural code. Meiji-era Japan became an example of a society undergoing cultural trauma, and it is important to analyse the position of society in the context of this trauma. After all, the Japanese had a strong sense of the uniqueness of their culture. That is why the assimilation of Western knowledge in philosophy, sociology, and politics did not lead to the destruction of traditional consciousness.Traditional Japanese art in the Meiji era also felt the winds of new traditions and the use of new techniques. New social transformations also affected the forms of poetry. At the same time, the fascination with Japan half a century later led to the discovery of non-European cultures by artists from the Old Continent. Political developments led to a series of experiments in art when Japanese engravings, ceramics, lacquerware and other artefacts found their way to the West.The 1867 World’s Fair in Paris sparked a real fascination with Japan, which aroused both surprise and awe. Some experts refer to culture as an element of Japan’s ‘soft power’. Thus, this article analyses the evolution of Japanese culture during the Meiji era and its influence on national and European traditions.