Fukuzawa Yukichi: The Pioneer of East Asia's Westernization With Ancient Confucianism

by Zhang, Wei-Bin (NA)

• ISBN13: 9781448950072
• ISBN10: 1448950074
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-04-12
• Publisher: Textstream

Summary

Fukuzawa Yukichi (1835-1901) was the most influential expert on the West in Japan in his lifetime. In an era when the Chinese learning was the main school of thought in Japan, he advocated for avoiding the Chinese learning and introducing Western science and the spirit of independence to Japan. However, as he had been educated in the ancient Confucianism before he learnt Western civilization, it is important to examine possible influences of the Chinese learning on him. This book demonstrates that the principles he advocated to Japan are congenial to the ancient Confucianism, which he was familiar with. It provides a unique and challenging interpretation of Fukuzawa's thought from the perspective of the ancient Confucianism and gives some insights into why in contrast to cultural destruction in modern China, Japan's modern development is characterized of cultural continuation and Westernization.