Howland, Douglass

The Journal of Asian Studies
Volume 60, Issue 2, pp. 353-380 (2001)

Recommended

"The Economic Rehabilitation of the Samurai in the Early Meiji Period," by Harry D. Harootunian is an article exploring the steps taken by the Japanese government to ensure the survival of the Samurai class following the Meiji Restoration of 1868. Harootunian describes the restoration and its significance in ushering Japan into an age of modernity. This article explores the fact that this restoration and new modern way seemingly did away with the need for a class like the Samurai. However, Harootunian discusses the importance of the Samurai class beyond the battlefield and portrays the class as more than military elite. Harootunian outlines the new age significance of the Samurai by discussing their contribution to Japanese history, as well as the mark they had already made on the Japanese governmental system.

This article describes specific government officials and their reverence for the Samurai class. Harootunian also explores specific governmental programs designed to maintain the economic freedom and existence of the samurai class. Among these are programs under which Samurai took over abandoned lands, farmed them and eventually took ownership, as well as laws which allowed Samurai to take up any new occupation. The goals of these programs, in Harootunian's eyes, were to absorb the Samurai class into modern society in a way which was mutually economically beneficial. Harootunian also explores how these different programs worked out.

This article is interesting and informative. Harootunian bridges the gap between the old samurai class and modern day Japan. This article would be of immense value for anyone interested in the role of the Samurai in the modern day and how this role was preserved.

Annotated by: Zachary Neumann (March 2009)

Martial Arts: Aikido | Iaido | Kendo |

Topics: history |