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The Role of Seppuku and the Samurai in Japan's Path to Modernization

This article explores the tradition of seppuku, a ritual suicide integral to Japan's samurai culture and bushido code. Emphasizing honor, seppuku was practiced by samurai to avoid capture, shame, and torture. The ritual involves a self-inflicted wound followed by decapitation by an assistant. With the advent of general conscription during the Sino-Japanese War, the samurai's role evolved. The Iwakura Mission reflected Japan's drive for modernization through international knowledge in education and technology, marking a significant turning point in the nation's history.

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The Role of Seppuku and the Samurai in Japan's Path to Modernization

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  1. The Japanese as a whole society should work towards modernization and accept the new governmental reforms.

  2. Seppuku is the tradition of Japanese ritual suicide by disembowelment, and a key part of bushido, the code of the samurai warriors. It was used by samurai to avoid falling into enemy hands, and to avoid shame and possible torture. Samurai could also be ordered by their daimyo to commit seppuku. The samurai would use his short sword to pierce into his abdomen, making a left-to-right cut. The kaishaku (his assistant or second) would then perform dakikubiin order to finish him off.This was a cut in which the warrior was all but decapitated. 切腹

  3. By the time of the Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895) samurai were no longer the only Japanese allowed in the military. There was now general conscription where men of a specified age were obliged to join the military.

  4. A group of former samurai are organized to decide on road improvements in a village on the island of Kyushu.

  5. The Iwakura Mission was a diplomatic journey around the world. One of the goals of the mission was to gather information on education, technology, culture, and military structures from the countries visited in order to effect the modernization of Japan.

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