Fukuzawa Yukichi: Samurai, Capitalist, and Japanese Scholar Analytical Essay
Fukuzawa Yukichi: Samurai, Capitalist, and Japanese Scholar
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In From Samurai to Capitalist, Helen Hopper gives insight into the life of a truly influential individual, Fukuzawa Yukichi, and the effect he had on the Japanese political and cultural mentality in one of the most pivotal periods of Asian history: the Meiji Restoration. Fukuzawa personified the spirit of Japan's modernization because of his avid support of Western culture, his wealth of knowledge, and his eagerness to help his country move into prominence on the global scene. Not only did Fukuzawa Yukichi have a profound effect on early modern Japan, but he also serves as a clear characterization of Japan's path to modernization during that time. Through the use of western ideals blended with traditional Japanese values and culture, Japan was able to successfully bring itself into the modern international scene while still retaining its national identity.
From the Paper:
"In From Samurai to Capitalist, Helen Hopper gives insight into the life of a truly influential individual, Fukuzawa Yukichi; and the effect he had on the Japanese political and cultural mentality in one of the most pivotal periods of Asian history: the Meiji Restoration. Fukuzawa personified the spirit of Japan's modernization because of his avid support of Western culture, his wealth of knowledge, and his eagerness to help his country move into prominence on the global scene. Not only did Fukuzawa Yukichi have a profound effect on early modern Japan, but he also serves as a clear characterization of Japan's path to modernization during that time. Through the use of western ideals blend ed with traditional Japanese values and culture, Japan was able to successfully bring itself into the modern international scene while still retaining its national identity."Fukuzawa represented how western thought could be integrated into Japan, and how successful and beneficial this transition could potentially be for Japan. As it stands, Japan's modernization effort characterized by the Meiji Restoration was one of the quickest, most efficient, and most successful modernization efforts in history - and this is mainly because Japan was open to learning from other cultures. While Fukuzawa may have started his education later in life than most typical Japanese men, he was able to quickly learn and appreciate western knowledge and assimilate that knowledge into his life. His family sent him to a rangaku, a Dutch school, in order for him to be taught in the modern European way. This is significant because Fukuzawa was then very well versed in the typical western style, a style that was becoming more prominent in Japanese culture. The Japanese were keen on taking ideas from Europe and the West and applying those ideas to their own country. Many young Japanese scholars traveled away from their homeland in order to learn more modern western ideas and take in the culture there. Fukuzawa then developed a love and appreciation for western values and adamantly supported bringing those ways into Japan."
Cite this Analytical Essay:
APA Format
Fukuzawa Yukichi: Samurai, Capitalist, and Japanese Scholar (2015, April 21)
Retrieved December 09, 2023, from https://www.academon.com/analytical-essay/fukuzawa-yukichi-samurai-capitalist-and-japanese-scholar-154169/
MLA Format
"Fukuzawa Yukichi: Samurai, Capitalist, and Japanese Scholar" 21 April 2015.
Web. 09 December. 2023. <https://www.academon.com/analytical-essay/fukuzawa-yukichi-samurai-capitalist-and-japanese-scholar-154169/>