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Bibliographic Data: Wilson, George M. Patriots and Redeemers in Japan: Motives in the Meiji Restoration. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1992.
Main Argument: In answer to the question, "Who took part in making the Meiji Restoration?" Wilson says that "there are many answers, that many groups of agents participated" (ix). Rather than just samurai, "all of these different agents may be viewed as participants in a total set of activities, a concert of mutual interaction: it is this interaction that shaped the nature of the restoration that followed" (x).
Historiographical Engagement: All the historiography about this period, and a lot of theory too.
( To redeem the time… )
Critical assessment: I wish this were actually a monograph about commoners and the ee ja nai ka flash mobs in the bakumatsu period. Then it would be much better at doing its thing. As it is, this is an interesting book, but not a wholly successful one; as a wise person who shall remain nameless remarked about it, "Well, he tried."
Further reading: It's hard to even know who to recommend to read about the Meiji Restoration. The standard work is still probably Beasley, which should say something, namely that someone needs to write a new book on the subject.
Meta notes: "Everybody who writes history has a bone to pick with the past."
Main Argument: In answer to the question, "Who took part in making the Meiji Restoration?" Wilson says that "there are many answers, that many groups of agents participated" (ix). Rather than just samurai, "all of these different agents may be viewed as participants in a total set of activities, a concert of mutual interaction: it is this interaction that shaped the nature of the restoration that followed" (x).
Historiographical Engagement: All the historiography about this period, and a lot of theory too.
( To redeem the time… )
Critical assessment: I wish this were actually a monograph about commoners and the ee ja nai ka flash mobs in the bakumatsu period. Then it would be much better at doing its thing. As it is, this is an interesting book, but not a wholly successful one; as a wise person who shall remain nameless remarked about it, "Well, he tried."
Further reading: It's hard to even know who to recommend to read about the Meiji Restoration. The standard work is still probably Beasley, which should say something, namely that someone needs to write a new book on the subject.
Meta notes: "Everybody who writes history has a bone to pick with the past."
