Rethinking Japan's Modernity

History is not one story, but many. In Rethinking Japans Modernity, M. William Steele takes a new look at the people, places, and events associated with Japans engagement with modernity, starting with American Commodore Matthew Perrys arrival in Japan in 1853. In many cases, this new look derives from visual sources, such as popular broadsheets, satirical cartoons, ukiyo-e and other woodblock prints, postcards, and photographs. The book illustrates the diverse, and sometimes conflicting, perceptions of people who experienced the unfolding of modern Japan. It focuses both on the experiences of people living the events at that time and on the reflections of others looking back. Also included are three new translationstwo of them by Japans pioneer Westernizer, Fukuzawa Yukichi, and another by Mantei gaparodying Fukuzawas monumental work advocating Western learning. These and other stories show how Japanese views of modernity evolved over time. Each chapter is prefaced with a short introduction to the topic covered and historiographical approach taken, allowing each to stand alone as well as support the overall goal of the workto inform and challenge our understanding of the links between Japans past, present, and future.