The Japanese Empire

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

79183

Title

The Japanese Empire

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Harry A. Franck's "The Japanese Empire" offers an authentic, firsthand geographical journey through Japan, Formosa, and Manchuria. Blending vivid travelogue with educational insight, the book explores diverse landscapes from the snow-capped peaks of Hokkaido to the industrial ports of Dairen. Franck delves into local customs, the Japanese colonization of neighboring territories, and the complex dynamics between civilized centers and wild mountain tribes. Written for young readers, this volume emphasizes global interconnectedness, cultural respect, and the realities of early 20th-century imperialism...

Summary up to 500 words

In "The Japanese Empire," Harry A. Franck offers a comprehensive geographical and cultural tour of the Far East, emphasizing the interconnectedness of global nations. The narrative begins in Tokyo, where Franck travels north to Hokkaido, revealing a stark contrast between the rice fields of southern Japan and the American-influenced landscape of the north. In Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido, he observes how American experts helped design the city's layout, introducing wide streets, streetcars, and Western-style agriculture, including corn and potato farming and cattle herding rarely seen elsewhere in the empire. Franck then journeys to Formosa (Taiwan) to investigate the Japanese administration of the island's mountainous regions. He details the critical economic importance of camphor trees, a resource essential for celluloid, perfumery, and drugs. To secure this monopoly, the Japanese government launched a campaign against indigenous head-hunting tribes. Franck describes the establishment of electrified guard lines and barbed wire fences to contain these "wild men." Despite these barriers, the tribes adapted, building stilles and tunnels to bypass the defenses. The book highlights the government's efforts to "civilize" these populations through boarding schools and guard lines, gradually shrinking the territory of the untamed tribes while integrating them into the colonial economy. The tour continues to Manchuria, specifically the Japanese leased territories of Dairen and Port Arthur. Franck notes the rapid modernization of these cities, which were formerly Russian holdings. He describes Dairen as a bustling European-style trading port handling millions of tons of merchandise, particularly soya bean cakes and coal. The South Manchuria Railway, built on American models with standard-gauge tracks and modern equipment, serves as the artery of this region, connecting coal mines at Fushun to the sea. Franck points out that while skilled work and management are Japanese, the labor force remains largely Chinese. Throughout the book, Franck underscores the human element, from the daily struggles of common people to the strategic ambitions of the state, urging readers to view the world as a single family where the fortunes of nations are inextricably linked.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• History
• Travel
• Social Life and Customs