Fascinating Glimpse of Japan Through Western Eyes During the Meiji Restoration Period

The Meiji Restoration period in Japan was a time of immense change and growth. It saw the nation transition from a feudal society to one that embraced western culture and technology. For those looking back on this era, it is an interesting time to observe, especially through the eyes of westerners who were living in Japan during this period. One such observer was an American missionary by the name of William Griffis, who wrote extensively about his experiences in Japan during this time. In his writings, he noted that while there was much dissatisfaction among the people towards their government, they still had much better conditions than their western counterparts. He also noted that both the shogunate and daimyo rulers feared public opinion more than anything else. Griffis also made some predictions for Japan's future based on what he saw during his stay in the country. He believed that within 50 years, Japan would surpass China as a major power in Asia. Furthermore, he observed that merchants seemed largely indifferent to the changes brought about by the Meiji Restoration period, while lower-ranking samurai formed a third class of citizens during this era. Overall, it is clear that Griffis' observations offer us a fascinating glimpse into what life was like for Japanese people during this pivotal moment in history - and how they were viewed by outsiders at the same time.