bunmei-kaika
right|thumb|350x350px|Horse-drawn streetcars in Ginza, woodblock print by [[Hiroshige III (1882)]]
Article
20 sectionsContents
- Etymology
- Background of Meiji era
- Overview of phenomenon
- Changes from {{Transliteration|ja|bunmei-kaika}}
- Legislation
- Transportation and communication
- Architecture and cities
- Government-owned factories
- Clothing
- Food
- Education
- Journalism and publishing
- Performing arts
- Finance
- Calendar
- Foreigners for hire
- ''Bunmei-byō''
- See also
- References
- Bibliography
right|thumb|350x350px|Horse-drawn streetcars in Ginza, woodblock print by [[Hiroshige III (1882)]]
Bunmei-kaika () refers to the phenomenon of Westernization in Japan during the Meiji era (1868–1912), which led to major changes in institutions and customs. The term is generally used for the period in the early Meiji era when customs and manners changed drastically from the feudal society of the past. Under the influence of scholars such as Fukuzawa Yukichi, it was thought that adopting Western culture would allow Japan to overcome the perceived weaknesses of its traditional culture.