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Samurai-Source

Empire Strikes Back -Author: Ric Tang

The Japan now as we know it, will soon come to an end. From a feudalis9c na9on, Japan has begun focusing plans for their future country. Firstly, newly Emperor Meiji will need to clearly state his government’s inten9on 

to modernize the country. Secondly, a Cons9tu9on must be drawn up in order to execute the Charter Oath. Thirdly, a modern economy must be created and established, or there will be no modernizing for Japan. AHer all three ac9ons are completed, the founda9on for Japan will be firm, and it will only be a maJer of 9me for Japan to rise up and claim their tradi9onal honor again. 

In April 1868, Emperor Meiji declared and made clear his government’s inten9on to modernize the country. AHer issuing an Imperial Oath of Fiver Ar9cles (also known as the Charter Oath), it became in important statement of imperial policy regarding Japanese Reform ... con9nue on page 2

“Rich Country, Strong Military”

Empire Strikes Back

A brief introduction on Japan’s future...Page 1-2

Samurai, a protector unprotected

The decline of the brave samurai...Page 3

Editorials

What do I think...Page 4

Lifestyle

1868- Japan’s lifestyle today...Page 5

Contents Feb, 8th, 1868

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...“By this oath we set up our aim the establishment of the na9onal weal on a broad basis and the forming of a cons9tu9on laws. 

• Ar9cle 1‐ Delibera9ve assemblies shall be widely established and all maJers decided by public discussion.

• Ar9cle 2‐ All classes, high and low, shall unite in vigorously carrying out the administra9on of affairs of state. 

• Ar9cle 3‐ The common people, no less than the civil and military officials, shall each be allowed to pursue his own calling so that there will be no discontent.

• Ar9cle 4‐ Evil customs of the past shall be broken off and everything based upon the just laws of Nature. 

• Ar9cle 5‐ Knowledge shall be sought throughout the world so as to strengthen the founda9ons of imperial rule.” – Emperor Meiji

Ar9cle 5 of the Charter Oath was the most important for Japan, because it had promoted a new policy of moderniza9on along Western lines. 

Even though young and inexperienced, Emperor Meiji realizes unless Japan modernized and is protected by a strong military, the country will forever be at the mercy of the Western dominance. 

For this, defense became the main task for the Japanese; carrying a new moJo from the ancient Chinese ideal of “rich country; strong military”. The first steps towards moderniza9on are now completed. 

Con9nuing on the steps of moderniza9on, Japan’s first cons9tu9on was drawn up in June 1868. The cons9tu9on was created to bring the Charter Oath into effect and to define the powers of the new government and the rights of the Japanese people. Its main features were:

• All authority was vested in a Council of State, or the upper house of the Japanese parliament, known as the Dajokan. 

• Council members were not elected but chosen according to noble rank. 

• The Delibera9ve Assembly, or lower house, held liJle power and was called the Giseikan. 

• Assembly members were elected from each clan, city, and prefecture of Japan. Only qualified men could hold a seat in the Giseikan.

 

  AHer the Charter Oath and the newly wriJen Cons9tu9on, Japan’s leaders realizes that if Japan was to become a “rich country” with a “strong military” it must develop heavy industry, engineering, mining and shipbuilding on which modern military power depended.

  The Meiji government is now giving priority to developed defense   industries which could evenly match against western military. 

  The fate on Japan now rests on Emperor Meiji and his new regimes’ shoulders. The future is unclear, but the present effort is strong. The Japanese empire strikes back at the world!

‐Emperor Meiji posing with western clothing.  

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A short interview with a samurai-

Ric: “What is your profession, and what do you exactly do?”

Samurai: “I am a Samurai form the Uichi Clan. I fight for Japan, and I will die protecting it.”

Ric: “Do you consider today’s Japan the same Japan you had fought for?”

Samurai: “No, I do not. I am not willing to die for today’s Japan, for it is not Japan at all, it is a nation of disgrace.”

Ric: “And why is that?”

Samurai: “Tradition runs deep in our veins, including yours, it cannot be truly taken away. However, the Emperor has forgotten who he [really] is, and [had]led this once great country, into a world filled with greed and evil, he had dishonored his family and his loyal samurais. I am a samurai, a protector, why am i not protected by my own country?”

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The lives of the samurai has been affected dramatically due to Emperor Meiji and his changes. The

government had steadily stripped the samurai’s privileges they had enjoyed.

Last winter, the Meiji made the wearing of swords optional and allowed men to cut off their topknots (many samurai refused to do so).

The samurai military roles were now taken away by the newly government approved conscription. Twenty-year old conscripts are now replacing the loyal-bound samurai.

Lastly, yesterday, Hatori Edict prohibited the wearing of swords in public

except on ceremonial occasions.

The swords/katana of a samurai is his soul, they cannot be parted. Many samurai has token this as a great insult. Talks of rebellion has stirred around the country.

If there is a war, are the samurai capable of fighting the newly conscripted imperial army?

Samurai, a protector unprotected?-Author: Ric Tang

The Samurai were once the most fearsome and respected warriors in the battlefield. Bushido Code: “...loyalty, frugality, mastery of martial arts, and honor unto death”

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This is outrageous! If it weanrn’t for the Samurai’s, our homes would of been destroyed centuries ago. The samurai were our protectors before the westerners came about. We cannot treat them and cast them out like stray dogs!

Instead, we should invite them into our homes and serve them tea. We should bow to them as deeply as our hips can bend and give them our sincere apology!

The samurai are great warriors and I for one, will support them if there truly is a rebellion! The emperor himself must walk down his golden steps at his golden palace, and apologize to each and every samurai for such an insult!

Samurai, a protector of Japan. -

EditorialsWhat do I think, on the decline of the samurai

— Ric Tang

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Even though short, the Japanese still gave the westerners a big “body blow” surprise.

- Fashion: today’s top fashion are the traditional red kimono with black trimming. This can be worn my both men and women.

Popular Foods:include the never-dying taste of sushi and sashimi. The raw exotic taste of sushi has been growing since the Meiji Restoration.

Life Style/ Cartoons