Fukuzawa Yukichi's Memoirs

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses Fukuzawa Yukichi's autobiography that has long been considered a classic towards understanding the history of the Meiji period and modern Japan. The paper examines Fukuzawa's youth and education and describes his reputation as an author, political theorist and educator determined to inspire reform of Japanese society, government and institutions. The paper concludes that he left Japanese society having inspired thousands of young people to move beyond a traditional order that so often constrained them.

Outline:
Introduction
Escape from Expectations
A Samurai Returns
Last Remarks - an Unique Personality

From the Paper:

"This volume has long been considered a classic towards understanding different currents in the history of Meiji and modern Japan. (1980) It is readable from the very first page and most readers will take to the unique voice that permeates the entire book, although Yukichi Fukuzawa (1835-1901) dictated his memoirs to a relation in 1897, as were translated into English by the narrator's grandson. Fukuzawa was born into the lower samurai clan of his father, Fukuzawa Hyakusuku, Samurai of the Okudaira clan on the island of Kyushu. His mother was the eldest daughter of another samurai of the same clan. (p.1) Readers with previous interest in 19th century Japan will probably take interest in what is related of one of the last generations of a lower samurai family, its sense of propriety, and Yukichi's departure from the tradition in which he was raised. He nearly succumbed to typhoid fever in youth. (pp.40-41)"

Sample of Sources Used:

• Yukichi, Fukuzawa. The Autobiography of Fukuzawa Yukichi trans. Eiichi Kiyooka. Forward by Carmen Blacker. New York: Columbia University Press, 1980. 407 pp. including index.

More papers on Fukuzawa Yukichi's Memoirs:

• Book Review # 130038 : "The Autobiography of Fukuzawa Yukichi"
• Essay # 90924 : "Fukuzawa Yukichi"

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