Britain's Encounter with Meiji Japan, 1868-1912 Book

The Restoration of the Emperor of Japan at the beginning of 1868 enabled the country to embark on a course of action which was to bring it, within a remarkably short period of time, to the status of a world power. During the 44 years for which the Emperor chose the name Meiji, or "Enlightenment", Britain was the most influential foreign power. This study is concerned on the one hand with the great response of Japan to the industrial, educational and military challenges involved and on the other with the reaction of British entrepreneurs, engineers and educators to the opportunities afforded them by the Japanese connection. The author argues that this relationship laid the foundations for Japan's industrial greatness. Olive Checkland is also the author of "Philanthropy in Victorian Scotland" and "Industry and Ethos in Scotland, 1832-1914" with S.G.Checkland.Read More