Preview

Imperial Self-Sufficiency In Japan

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
901 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Imperial Self-Sufficiency In Japan
Before the introduction of modern technology, rice cultivation required considerable communal work and in spite of advances in technology it still requires intense labor (Sakaiya, 1993, 77). As rice cultivation is very labor intensive, it changed the way people lived when rice introduced to Japan. Therefore, communities or villages began to form and it consisting of farming families. These villages became tightly organized groups which turned out to be the basis of the Japanese societal structure that still survives on into modern times (Varley, 2000, 5). So the formation of the Japanese society had begun and there is no doubt that the Yayoi period [ca.400 BC – 250 AD] laid the foundation for what later became the Japan of today (Ohnuki-Tierney, …show more content…
(Francks, 2003). In Francks article Rice for the Masses: Food Policy and the Adoption of Imperial Self-Sufficiency in Early Twentieth-Century Japan, he suggests that Rice Riots not only shifted in the pattern of food demand because consumers became better off and they adopted ‘urban’ life-styles, but also ensured the availability of Japanese-style rice as a luxury product and the staple food for the ordinary people before 1890s. Rice becoming the staple of the Japanese society and considered as a common food product of people’s daily …show more content…
More and more similar food that replaced the status of rice as a staple food in Japan. In another Francks’ article— Consuming Rice: Food, ‘Traditional’ Products, and the History of Consumption in Japan. He argues that shifting patterns of rice consumption were determined, as were those of comparable food products elsewhere, as part of the process of social and economic change that preceded and accompanied industrialization and ‘modernization’. (Francks, 2007). People have many options when they face the various kinds of food that from other countries. Rice became the food that along with other

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Powerful Essays

    The feudalism period in Japan, much like the feudal period in Europe after the Fall of Rome, was ruled by one singular person, followed by a complicated hierarchy of people who had either a lot or next to no power. This report will examine the certain roles of different people that were spread out according to the hierarchy, and how it affected the country/regions socially and economically. The Feudal System in Japan existed from the 9th century until the 12th century, and was not as different, however it wasn’t the same as the Feudal System we saw in Europe after the Fall of Rome…

    • 1174 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the period between 1450 and 1750, Japan underwent many changes in its political and social structure. After a period of chaos, a powerful family rose up and took control of the nation, establishing a new Shogunate and bringing a period of peace and stability to Japan.…

    • 548 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Best Essays

    Leppman, Elizabeth J. Changing Rice Bowl: Economic Development and Diet in China. Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press, 2005.…

    • 2818 Words
    • 12 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Throughout the years, the food industry has incorporated traditional methods as well as adaptations to a changing society. Fast food, for example, has grown exponentially over the past half century. By contrast, traditional foods such as rice remain a crucial part of food culture. Two essays that highlight this contrast are Seanon Wong’s “Noodles vs. Sesame Seed Buns” and Julie Dash’s “Rice Culture.” Wong’s essay illustrates the significance of fast food, whereas Dash’s essay discusses traditional cooking methods. While both authors talk about food and cultural traditions, Dash uses an informal voice to discuss preserving her traditions, whereas Wong uses an academic voice to describe the evolution of food traditions in Chinese culture.…

    • 1249 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Filial Piety In Japan

    • 1384 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Imperialist ideals, focused on expanding a country’s values and systems in order to reinforce and increase power, have often served to define and sculpt the historical narratives of many nation states across the world. This outsider definition reduces a country’s ability to define itself and often works to present a biased, ignorant perspective in order to further its own agenda. Because of its long-standing separation from Western, primarily white countries, Japan was able to formulate its own values and ideals centered on filial piety, the development of a hierarchical class system, and strict roles for men and women in its early eras. Throughout the Tokugawa era, and due to its rice-based economy, Japan enjoyed relative stability, though…

    • 1384 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Ap Worldhistory Ch 13

    • 656 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Cite: The answer is located on page 291 under the heading “Japan: The imperial age” the…

    • 656 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Japan and India in the 1880s-1930s had many similarities such as same economic change from mechanization to treatment and payment of the laborers in the cotton industry, however, differences in workers on social gender and employment rates.…

    • 731 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Gregory Smith in his essay, “Shaking up Japan: Edo Society and the 1855 Catfish Picture Prints”, focuses on the state of political consciousness among the Edo commoners in 1855, which is when the Ansei Earthquake struck Japan. The author explains the social and political devastation the Japanese society experiences. The traumatic event led to a Japanese Urban Society politically and socially weakening. Subsequently, within the following twelve years, caused a social awakening and proto-nationalism: the Meiji Restoration. Under the Tokugawa Shogun and Bakufu, social class with principles indistinguishable…

    • 1832 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Okinawan food culture in the Ryukyu island is one of the world’s most interesting culture because its consumers have the longest life expectancies and low disability rates. It is a product of cultural synthesis, with a core of Chinese food culture, inputs through food trade with South-East Asia and the Pacific and strong Japanese influences in eating style and presentation. The Satsamu sweet potato provides the largest part of the energy intake (and contributes to self-sufficiency), there is a wide array of plant foods including seaweed (especially konbu) and soy, and of herbaceous plants, accompanied by fish and pork, and by green tea and kohencha tea. Infusing multiple foodstuff and drinking the broth is characteristic. Raw sugar is eaten. The concept that ‘food is medicine’ and a high regard accorded medical practice are also intrinsic of Okinawan culture. Again, foodcentered and ancestral festivities keeep the health dimensions well-developed. Pork, konbu and tofu (soy beancurd) are indispensable ingredients in festival menus, and the combination of tofu and seaweed are used everyday. Okinawan food culture is intimately linked with an enduring belief of the system and highly developed social structure and network.…

    • 4519 Words
    • 19 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Japan is a small island nation off the coast of Eastern Asia. Despite its size, Japan has proved to be formidable both economically and militarily. Since the expedition of Commodore Matthew Perry in 1853 opened up the past feudalistic and reclusive Japan, this nation has expanded and adopted many imperialistic policies as well as taken a more aggressive military stance. Japan has changed in many ways, but has also continued upholding traditional practices throughout 1853 and 1941.…

    • 669 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    A Feudal system is the legal and social system that evolved in Europe in the 8th and 9th centuries, in which vassals were protected and maintained by their lords. Although feudalism is totally considered a European creation, feudalism was invented by the Japanese at around the same time too. The two feudalistic societies shared practices and principles, but were also differed in many other main aspects.…

    • 540 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The two feudal systems of Japan and Europe rose after several invasions and war-torn years. Based around agriculture, protection, loyalty, and honor, this system benefitted a wide variety of people living in a period that lacked stability, peacefulness, and hope. Although the feudal systems were efficient at the time for both locations and had several similarities, including an agriculturally-based economy, highly respected and important warrior classes, and a “caste system” that was nearly impossible to advance up, the two were otherwise unlike in the cases of the vassals, their warriors’ outlook on death, their leaders, and their views on gender and the roles of women outside of the house; all of these similarities and differences helped…

    • 914 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the sixteenth century, Tokugawa Japan had a feudal system of domains that brought their political system together and set them apart from other countries. This system was based upon a supreme ruler, the Shogun, who was over several Daimyo. The Daimyo served as lords of land holders who reported to the Shogun. This system was a catalyst in the rapid progress and development of this country. The country’s natural landscape and their religious/political standing made them a calm and stable people. Peace and order as well as the centralized feudal system were strong elements in this culture’s success.…

    • 540 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The Jomon period started in 11,000 BC and lasted over 10,000 years until 300 BC. It is such a long period of time that most historians break it down into six parts; Incipient, earliest, early, middle, late and latest (Collcutt, Jansen & Kumakura, 1988, p.32). The name Jomon literally means “rope pattern”. This is to do with the way the Jomon made their now world famous pottery. The Jomon were classic hunter-gatherers, who had limited technology – metallurgy was not introduced until the Yayoi period. Throughout this great expanse of time, the Jomon changed their way of life, in terms of methods for food, diet, technology, and infrastructure. Next came the Yayoi period, which was from 300 BC to 300 AD. The characteristics of the Yayoi period came about through a mix of late Jomon traits and influences from the new settlers from the mainland and the Korean peninsula. The name Yayoi comes from the Yayoi quarter of the Bunkyo ward in Tokyo where the first archaeological discoveries for it were made (Japan Reference, 2013. Para. 1). This period was characterized by the widespread use of wet-field rice cultivation and improved technology, which in turn brought about greater social stratification and population growth.…

    • 1418 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    By the late 16th Japan had achieved political unification after an era of ‘sengoku’ or ‘the country at war.’ It began to be ruled by the Tokugawa shoguns who sought to prevent another civil war. Japan became stronger as a result of their ability to unify the warring nations within the country. Another strength of Japan during this time was increased agricultural production. New methods of farming helped to produce more yield (B&Z, pg 587). Japan’s strengths were also it’s greatest weaknesses. Increase agricultural production led to a drastic population growth. This created conflict with Japan’s main weakness, Japan was land poor. Despite the increased production, the population grew so quickly that it strained resources and created financial…

    • 398 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays

Related Topics