Fukuzawa Yukichi Biography Review

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8 word format

document in english

history 1789 to present

book review

published 20/04/2008

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level : General public

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Summary

The biography on Fukuzawa Yûkichi written by Helen M. Hopper explores one of the most influential private citizens and his views and actions during a critical period of development in Japanese history. The aim of the book is to explore the large contributions, and the influence that Fukuzawa had in the modernization of Japan. Hopper explores the life of Fukuzawa in a chronological order and relates the events in his life to the happenings of Japanese society on the whole. The origins of Fukuzawa from the lowly the Nakatsu-han and from the lower part of the samurai ranks is a source of dissatisfaction for Yûkichi, however Yûkichi knowingly exploits his position and the system to achieve future success. Events in the Japanese world after Fukuzawa’s break from the rigid social hierarchy of Tokugawa Japan would see him turn further west than originally planned: Yûkichi would anticipate the Japanese turn to America and the English language in place of Dutch scholarship.

Fukuzawa Yûkichi was born January 10th 1835 to Fukuzawa Hyakusuke and O-Jun in Osaka, Japan.
As the youngest son in the family Yûkichi was able to pursue interests outside of serving the daimyo as his father.
With the signing of the Treaty of Kanagawa in 1854 and the Harris treaty in July 1858 a new foreign influence would become prominent in Japan.
Fukuzawa had become a vassal to the bakufu during the civil war.
During the organization of the second punitive expedition Fukuzawa cautioned the shogunate.
Fukuzawa would only participate in Japanese society as a private citizen.
Apart from just political arguments Fukuzawa would also engage in widespread social and cultural debates.
The focus of the entire nation of Japan after the signing of the first unequal treaties was aimed at one goal.
As a private citizen Fukuzawa Yûkichi influenced the direction of Japanese development.