Journal entry

Date: august 10, 1868

I wake up early in my huge house, which feels emptier now without all the hustle and bustle of
the past. My footsteps echo as I walk to the kitchen to make my own breakfast. It's usually rice
and fish, a simple meal that reminds me of the old days. As I get dressed in my fine robes, I
think about how different life used to be when I had real power as a daimyo and samurai to
protect me. Many samurai have rebelled against the changes, while others have become
the emperor's advisers, they are now called “oligarchy”.

I spend time walking around my house, thinking about the changes in our country. Japan is
opening up to the world after long years of isolation and changing fast, and I miss the days
when I had more control. The country used to be so different. I could make decisions for my
land, and everyone looked up to me. But now, everything is changing, and it feels like things are
slipping out of my hands. During the Edo period, Japan was mostly closed off from the rest of
the world. We had peace and order, and life was predictable. The towns were bustling with
merchants, artisans, and farmers, all doing their part. During the Edo Period, Japan
implemented a policy of isolation, Initiated by the Tokugawa shogunate, which severely
restricted foreign contact. This isolationist stance aimed to maintain internal stability and
control over Japan's affairs.

Samurai were respected warriors, protecting their lords and lands. There were strict rules
about everything, from what clothes you could wear to how you should behave. Most daimyos
voluntarily gave up their land to the Emperor, beginning the Emperor's jurisdiction over
the land and people. The feudal lords became governors, and the central government
assumed administrative expenses and paid samurai stipends.

I still remember when and how this happened. In 1868, the Meiji era began with the Charter
Oath, a legal document establishing Japan's modernization during Emperor Meiji's reign,
outlines main aims and actions, remaining influential throughout the Meiji era and into
the 20th century. signaling the end of exclusive bakulu (shopinate) rule and the start of
democratic governance. This transition marked a significant departure from the
isolationist policies of the past.

The transitions are really hitting me lately. Let me go back a little, both Edo and Meiji were life
changing periods. The Edo period, ruled by the Tokugawa shogunate from 1185 to 1868,
brought 250 years of stability to Japan. During this time, the political system turned into
the bakuhan, which mixed central and regional authorities. The shogun held national
power, while the daimyos governed local domains. The Edo Period saw the
establishment of the bakuhan system, a centralized power structure in Japan, providing
stability and governance for 250 years.
Cultural Flourishing: Despite isolation, the Edo Period witnessed a flourishing of unique
cultural elements such as ukiyo-e (woodblock prints) and the tea ceremony. These
cultural practices became deeply ingrained in Japanese identity during this period

During these periods there were similar things that happened like the publishing and
allowing of foreign and western books and by 1871 magazines were allowed as well.
Japan opened up to the outside world, leading to the availability of foreign books,
magazines, and newspapers. This influx of information introduced new ideas and
perspectives to Japanese society.

These books brought new ideas and knowledge from outside Japan. By 1871, magazines were
allowed too, which meant more people could read about different ways of thinking and new
inventions. It was like a small window to the outside world opening up, letting in fresh air.

I go to a meeting with other former leaders. We discuss new laws and how to adapt to the
Meiji period. The emperor now has more power, and we have to follow new rules. Another
change I see is men cutting their hair, even the emperor has cut his hair. I still remember
when they said we couldn't keep our top knots anymore, it might as well have been a death
sentence chopping my beautiful top knot off. Some grew beards and others mustaches.

I miss the old days when I had more influence over what happened in our land. What's worse
is during this Meiji period the government is urging us men to ditch our kimonos for suits
and trousers. Even in the hot weather we are not allowed to wear a loincloth anymore. It
gets extremely hot these days but we still have to wear these suits as if expecting someone.
The suits are stiff and uncomfortable, far from the flowing kimonos we used to wear.

Walking around my home I take a quick look at my western room before heading to bed. Many
people are starting to see this westernized room in their houses. People who visited America
and saw the interior of their homes saw arm-chairs and sofas, mirrors and fine china
cutlery. We added one or two glass window panes in their paper sliding screens and
hung a mirror on the wall. Set a table with a tasselled tablecloth in the center of their
room, over a patterned carpet that is spread over their straw floor mats. I invited my
friends over last week. Instead of drinking Japanese sake, we sipped on Western
champagne while eating meat with knives and forks instead of our usual chopsticks
while seated on chairs rather than our comforting floor. While wearing Western business
suits.

I hated when our government said we should start eating meat it's disgusting and goes against
my religion and morals as I am a buddhist but seeing how some don't have a problem with this
change, I tried it and hated it once more it was served to me and now although my heart says
no my brain says yes. I read a book about Western ideas. I want to learn about the new world
that's coming, even though I miss the traditions we once had.

I have dinner with my family and talk about our future, trying to stay hopeful. Not many know
this but I like kneeling down and eating without forks and knives like the western people do.
Daimyo who opposed the shogun were either arrested or retired. Their samurai were
banished, imprisoned, or killed. That's why I don't have any samurai left.
 Before bed, I walked in my garden. The wind was blowing quite slowly, making me feel
nostalgic. The garden is one of the few things that hasn't changed since the Meiji Restoration.
The trees, flowers, and small pond remind me of the peaceful times we used to have. The
sound of the wind rustling through the leaves brings back memories of simpler days. Something
I have noticed myself is that it hasn't changed since the Meiji restoration. Many remained
uneducated, yet new professors were hired in increasing numbers of schools subjects
like reading, writing, geography, science and morals, arithmetic.

I think about how Japan is changing and hope I can help my people adapt. They say it's the
emperor who is making all these changes to westernize the country but I know it's the
oligarchy, those samurai who stayed with the emperor, it's them making the big
decisions and whispering them into my lord's ear then using his name for laws.

Another thing that remained the same was that both the Edo and Meiji period saw the
establishment of a strong central government with an importance on centralization and
strengthening of power.

The Meiji period was known for its rapid change however and adaptation of Western ideas
and technology. political power became more centralized and the authority of regional
daimyo lords like myself decreased.

Ending my this journal entry as I must be heading to bed now, I look back on the significant
changes sliding through our society. The Edo and Meiji periods have left a long-lasting mark in
history, reshaping our culture, politics, and each person's life in this society. As a daimyo, I find
myself both inspired and challenged by society's changes and things that have remained the
same since.

Your truly, a humble daimyo

Incorporation of Facts:
In my journal entry today, I added the facts by bolding the facts in black which I acknowledged
the shift in fashion trends, such as the adaptation of Western-style clothing, which impacted my
way of life as a daimyo who lost their power, and the changes I noticed from the Edo period to
the Meiji period.

Specifically where I found facts

Britanaica “The Edo period, ruled by the Tokugawa shogunate from 1185 to 1868, brought 250
years of stability to Japan. During this time, the political system turned into the bakuhan, which
mixed central and regional authorities. The shogun held national power, while the daimyos
governed local domains.”

Britanacia “Most daimyos voluntarily gave up their land to the Emperor, beginning the Emperor's
jurisdiction over the land and people. The feudal lords became governors, and the central
government assumed administrative expenses and paid samurai stipends " "Daimyo who
opposed the shogun were either arrested or retired. Their samurai were banished, imprisoned,
or killed. That's why I don't have any samurai left.”, and “political power became more
centralized and the authority of regional daimyo lords like myself decreased.”

Oppieclass.weebly, “publishing and allowing of foreign and western books and by 1871
magazines were allowed as well.” and “since the Meiji restoration. Many remained uneducated,
yet new professors were hired in increasing numbers of schools subjects”

Research gate, “it's the oligarchy, those samurai who stayed with the emperor, it's them making
the big decisions” “any samurai have rebelled against the changes, while others have become
the emperor's advisers, they are now called “oligarchy”,

Wikipedia, “since the Meiji restoration. Many remained uneducated, yet new professors were
hired in increasing numbers of schools subjects”

World civilizations I (HIS101)- biel, “In 1868, the Meiji era began with the Charter Oath, a legal
document establishing Japan's modernization during Emperor Meiji's reign, outlines main aims
and actions, remaining influential throughout the Meiji era and into the 20th century.” “The Edo
period, ruled by the Tokugawa shogunate from 1185 to 1868, brought 250 years of stability to
Japan. During this time, the political system turned into the bakuhan, which mixed central and
regional authorities. The shogun held national power, while the daimyos governed local
domains.” “People who visited America and saw the interior of their homes saw arm-chairs and
sofas, mirrors and fine china cutlery. We added one or two glass window panes in their paper
sliding screens and hung a mirror on the wall. Set a table with a tasselled tablecloth in the
center of their room, over a patterned carpet that is spread over their straw floor mats. I invited
my friends over last week. Instead of drinking Japanese sake, we sipped on Western
champagne while eating meat with knives and forks instead of our usual chopsticks while
seated on chairs rather than our comforting floor. While wearing Western business suits.” and
“Another thing that remained the same was that both the Edo and Meiji period saw the
establishment of a strong central government with an importance on centralization and
strengthening of power.”
 Bibliography

Britannaica, https://www.britannica.com/event/Meiji-Restoration: the edo period ruled by

Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/topic/daimyo: dimamyo’s loss of power, May 30, 2024

Oppieclass.weebly,
https://oppieclass.weebly.com/uploads/8/6/6/8/8668258/social_8_textbook.pdf: publishing of
foreign books and new professors,Jun 3, 2024

Research gate, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/370553012_Meiji_Oligarchy: oligarchy

Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meiji_Restoration: Meiji restoration,Jun 3, 2024

World civilizations I (HIS101)- biel https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-fmcc-boundless-