EAS105H1 Chapter Notes - Chapter 19: Ninomiya Sontoku, Chinese Philosophy, Unequal Treaty
Document Summary
Village officials organized regional leagues, inserting a new level of administration between the village and ruling authority. Ninomiya sontoku revitalized villages, increasing their population and bringing fields back into production. Rural entrepreneurs sought new ways to bolster their prestige. Sought marriage partners of similar background a day"s walk or more away. They educated themselves and also educated their daughters to standards beyond what could be achieved by an ordinary cultivator. Studied chinese philosophy and classical poetry as well as western science and geography. Most domains sought to reduce expenditures by cutting cost. Concerned that luxury-loving commoners both threatened samurai privilege and encouraged samurai extravagance, governments issued sumptuary legislation forbidding socially inferior people to wear silk garments, ornamental hairpins, etc. Low-ranking samurai proposed that men of talent and ability be promoted to decision making positions. One secessionist response to economic dislocation and political ineptitude came in the form of new religions.
