Note: The following mini-bio's are listed in order of date of birth; they are not intended to provide comprehensive information, but rather to give a context for considering the individuals.
1818-1891 Motoda Eifu: tutor
to Meiji emperor
1890 co-drafter
of Imperial Rescript on Education
1822-1897 Kurimoto Joun:
1867.07-1868.07
sent to France to attend Paris Exhibition
1869 Gyoosoo tuiroku
(Dawn-window memoirs):
1823-1914 Shimooka Renjoo:
photographer
1829-1904 Kanagaki Robun: writer
1870 Seiyoo doochuu
hizakurige:
1871 Aguranabe:
1879 Takahashi
Oden yasha monogatari:
1879 Gurando-shi
den: biography of Ulysses S. Grant
1831-1889 Kawanabe Kyoosai:
illustrator, comic gesaku...,
1862, 1874 Meikyou
yamato damashii:
?? works with Wirgman
1874 Nipponchi:
w/Kanagaki; satire magazine, after J. Punch: only three issues
1876 jailed for
drawing a bureaucrat making love to a foreigner
1878 Tsuki to supponchi:
illustrated satire: lasts 15 issues
1832-1905 Shourin Hakuen: koudanshi,
incorporates Western materials into performances
1833-1877 Kido Takayoshi: from
Chooshuu; leader in Anti-Bakufu movement;
pivotal role in
early Meiji gov't; opposes Seikanron and Seitairon;
1834-1901 Fukuzawa Yukichi:
Founds Keio academy;
1873 founds Meirokusha political reform essayist group; 1882 founds Jiji
shinpoo;
1835-1915 Inoue Kaoru: from
Chooshuu; Anti-Bakufu movement
active in early
Meiji gov't; advocates political Westernization;
1835-1919 Maejima Hisoka:
founds modern mail
system; advocates reform of writing system;
1836-1908 Enomoto Takeaki:
born in Shitaya (Edo): military training: Tokugawa loyalist
1868 absconds to
Hakodate with Tokugawa warship when Edo invaded: defeated 1869:
1872.01.06: Released
for good behavior: had been modelling tiny steam engines in prison.
1872.03: Released
from family custody to assist in Hokkaido development.
1874 sent to Russia
to negotiate exchange of Sakhalin for Kurile Islands
1880s becomes Min.
of Communications, Min. of Educ., Foreign Minister, Min. of Agr., etc.
1836-1916 Katoo Hiroyuki: Meiroku..;
1890s chancellor of Tokyo University
1837-1884 Narushima Ryuuhoku:
writer
1872-1873 travels
abroad
1874~ heads Chooya
shinbun:
1876 imprisoned
(with Suehiro Tetchoo) for publishing gov't scandal
1877 founds Kagetsu
shinshi: political reportage and society news
1838-1922 Yamagata Aritomo:
born in Choomon (now Yamaguchi Pref.):
1839-1900 San'yuutei Enchoo:
Rakugo raconteur;
1884 Kaidan botan
dourou: ghost story of love and revenge
1885? Eikoku koushi
Jouji Sumisu no den: adaptation of Charles Reade, Hard Cash (1863)
1841-1906 Fukuchi Gen'ichiro:
noted editor of Tokyo nichi-nichi shinbun
1868.06.24?/17?
essay 'Kyoojaku ron': stinging criticism of govt {Huffman 1997:42}
1868.07.12 jailed
for eight days, for above critique
1843-1890 Sensai Eitaku: Kanou
and nanba school artist: official painter of II (Naosuke) clan
1879 illustrations
for Kanagaki Robun's biography of Ulysses S. Grant (vol.1&2)
1847-1889 Mori Arinori:
1872 advocates
English as language of Japan.
1885 appointed
Minister of Education;
1847-1901 Nakae Choomin: born
in Koochi;
political theorist;
active in People's Rights Movement; introduced French democratic ideas;
1847-1915 Kobayashi Kiyochika:
illustrator
= studies
under Charles Wirgman, Shimooka Renjoo, Kawanabe Gyoosai
1876-1881 illustrations
of Tokyo
1881 draws his
own house as it burns down; wife leaves him; never draws again.
1848-1920 Baidou Kunisada:
illustrator
1879 illustrations
for Kanagaki Robun's biography of Ulysses S. Grant (vol.1&2)
1848-1900 Toyama Masakazu;
born in Koishikawa (Edo);
enlightenment scholar:
Shintai shishoo; taught sociology, psychology;
1884 advocates
abolishing kanji and promoting English.
1849-1896 Suehiro Tetchoo:
born in Iyo (Ehime):
activist with PRM;
political novels: 23-nen miraiki; Setchuubai; Kakan'oo;
1876? imprisoned
(with Narushima Ryuuhoku) for writing about gov't scandal
1849-1912 Nogi Maresuke: from
Chooshuu: General:
1868 follows Yamagata
Aritomo in Boshin War fight against bakufu forces
1877 in Seinan
War, he loses his flag, and almost commits suicide, but is stopped.
1886 studies military
sci. in Germany; returns, tries farming; leads foot-soldiers in S-J War
1896 3rd prefector
to Taiwan, soon quits; 1905 as leader in R-J war, he is weak and is replaced
1912 with wife,
commits suicide after death of Meiji Emperor: lauded for his 'military
spirit'
1849-1940 Saionji Kimmochi:
1895.8 advocates
replacing Japanese language with English.
1850-1888 Baba Tatsui: from
Tosa: PRM activist, writer:
1870-1878 twice
in England, to study law:
1885 indicted for
obtaining dynamite; 1886 acquitted; 1886 goes to U.S.;
1888.11.01 dies
in Philadelphia (result of duel with another Japanese national?)
1850-1922 Tarui Tookichi: born
in Nara
People's Rights
Movement;
1882 founds Tooyoo
shakai too (E.Asian Socialist Party): advocates Asian solidarity
1850-1931 Yano Fumio (Ryuukei):
politician with
Rikken Kaishintoo; political novels: Keikoku bidan; Shinshakai;
1890 Ukishiro monogatari:
seafaring adventure to Indonesia
1852-1922 Shiba Shiroo: from
Aizu: author-politician
1868.08 sickness
prevents him from joining Byakkotai in mass suicide
?? Studies English
with Numa Morikazu (a student of Hepburn)
1877 leaves sickbed
to join Seinan War; comes back even sicker
1854-1922 Toki Hooryuu: Shingon
priest; correspondance with Minakata re science;
1854-1938 Takusari Kouki: 1883
produces method for shorthand transcription (sokki)
1855-1905 Taguchi Ukichi:
economic historian;
1879 founds Tokyo keizai zasshi; advocates free economy;
1855-1920 Suematsu Kenchoo:
from Fukuoka: marries Itoo Hirobumi's daughter: Taishoo-era politician
1855-1922 Aeba Kooson:
Theater critic,
gesaku-style novelist: Muratake; Toosei shooninn katagi;
1856-1937 Ebina Danjoo:
? complained of
lack of intergenerational understanding [Pyle, New Gen., ch1]
1856-1944 Inoue Tetsujiroo:
conservative educator
1857-1920 Sudoo Nansui:
reporter, novelist
of tsuzukimono, political novels: Ryokusadan; Shinshoo no kajin;
1858-1912 Motora Yuujiroo:
1888 returns from
America, becomes first prof of psychology at Tokyo University
1858-1954 Ozaki Yukio (Gakudoo):
Rikken Seitoo politician;
elected 25 times to Diet; political novels;
1859-1919 Inoue Enryoo: monsterology
(Figal 1999)
1859-1935 Tsubouchi Yuuzo (Shooyoo):
see separate chronology
translations of
Scott, Shakespeare; theory of realist novel-writing; novels; plays;
1897? Futagokoro:
republished Daisagishi: adaptation of Edgar Fawcett, The False Friend (1880)
1860-1945 Miyake Setsurei:
founds Seikyoosha
political group; founds Nihonjin magazine; opposes political Westernization;
1896? article in
Taiyoo advocates adoption of Korean script.
1861-1903 Ochiai Naobumi: from
Sendai;
poet, literary
historian: Koojo Shiragiku no uta;
1861-1930 Uchimura Kanzou:
1862-1920 Kuroiwa Ruiko: author
of detective stories
1862-1913 Okakura Kakuzoo (Tenshin):
born in Yokohama; father was samurai-turned-silk merchant
= posts at
Tokyo Imp. Museum; 1904~ consultant to Boston Mus. of Fine Arts; Tokyo
Sch. of Fine Arts;
1886 studies art
ed. in Eur, US: wears Japanese garb 'to force people to deal with ideas'
{Guth, positions}
1903 The Ideals
of the East (in English): Asia is one, and Japan is its cultural repository
...
1904 The Awakening
of Japan (in English):
1906 The Book of
Tea (in English):
1862-1933 Nitobe Inazou: Christian;
Tokyo U. colonial studies
= attended
Sapporo Agriculture College; Johns Hopkins Univ.
1863- ?? Tokutomi Sohoo: Kagoshima:
1864-1909 Hasegawa Tatsunosuke
(Futabatei Shimei):
translations from
Turgenev; novels Ukigumo, Sono omokage, Heibon; literary realism; genbun'itchi;
1864-1922 Miyazaki Koshoshi:
born in Chikuzen;
poet, Romanticist
novelist: Kishoo;
1864-1929 Tsuda Umeko: daughter
of agriculture scholar Tsuda Sen: from Sakura (Chiba)
1871 at age 8,
one of five girls to accompany Iwakura Mission to U.S.
1882 returns to
Japan, having forgotten Japanese: attends Peers Girls School
1889-1892 returns
to US, attends Bryn Mawr College
1900 founds Women's
English Academy (Tsuda College): leads Christian student movements
1865-1927 Fukuda Hideko: PRM
activist from Okayama: daughter of low-level bushi, Kageyama Kaku
1885 Arrested
in Osaka Incident. Later marries Ooi Kentaroo.
1907 starts magazine
Sekai
fujin.
1866-1934 Naitoo Konan:
East Asian cultural/literary
historian; Kinsei bungaku shi ron; Shina shigaku-shi;
1867-1903 Ozaki Kooyoo: novelist:
realism, colloquial, psychological, social novels:
1889 Ninin bikuni
irozange:
1896 Tajoo takon:
...
189? Konjiki
yasha,
1867-1916 Natsume Sooseki:
novelist, essayist
1867-1937 Ueda Kazutoshi:
1895 advocates
standardization of Japanese language, with committee of writers.
1867-1941 Minakata Kumagusu:
monsterology (Figal 1999)
1892-1900 in England;
extended corresponence with Toki Hooryuu on science;
1867-1947 Kooda Rohan: born
in Shitaya (Edo): romantic novelist
Fuuryuuden; Gojuutoo;
1868-1910 Yamada Bimyoo: novelist,
poet: used colloquial style
Musashino; Kochoo;
1868-1929 Uchida Roan: essayist,
social novelist:
Kure no nijuuhachinichi;
Shakai hyakumen-soo;
1868-1933 Shimizu Shikin: novelist
?? Koware
yubiwa ... {Jennison}
1899 Imin gakuen
(School for immigrants): woman learns of her deceased mother's burakumin
identity
1871-1923 Okada Masayoshi:
1895 proposed abolition
of kanji.
1872-1943 Shimazaki Tooson:
1887- student
at Meiji Gakuin: dreamed of becoming a politician {Seigle, viii}
1897 Wakanashuu
(Young Shoots):
1906 Hakai
(Broken Commandment): outcaste teacher struggles with father's command
to keep identity secret.
1908 Haru
(Spring): semi-autobiography of youth group, including Kitamura Tookoku
1910-11 Ie
(Family): semi-autobio of decline of two extended families
1929-35 Yoakemae
(Before the Dawn): family declines with mental illness of father
1873-1939 Izumi Kyooka: literature
of the fantastic;
1875-1962 Yanagita Kunio: national
folklore studies
1882-1936 Suzuki Miekichi:
children's literature
1882-1961 Ogawa Mimei: children's
literature
1883-1937 Kita Ikki: Nationalist/Socialist
writer, activist: born on Sado Island:
1906 Kokutairon
and Pure Socialism:claimed imperial power not absolute
1919 Plan
for Rebuilding Japan:first, get rid of the elite class
1937 executed
after involvement in February 26 Incident (1936)
1893-1961 Yanaihara Tadao:
Tokyo Univ. colonial economist {Kawamura 1994:6}
1899-1958 Tokunaga Sunao: proletarian
lit
Suematsu Kento: theater director
Fukui Mohei: theater director
Sudo Sadanori: Shimpa co-founder
Hoshino Tenchi
Kunikida Doppo
?? Chronicle that
does not lie: concern for nameless masses
Kitamura Tookoku
Kosugi Tengai
Kooda Rohan
Higuchi Ichiyoo:
Uchida Roan
Mori Oogai: gan, maihime,
Nakae Choomin
Tokutomi sohoo
Kitamura Tookoku
Nakae Choomin
Taguchi Ukichi
Itagaki Taisuke
1863- Shiga Shigetaka:
= studied at Hokkaido
1887 How Can Japan
be made Japan?: warns of dangers of total westernization
1860- Miyake Setsurei
= studied Spencer
under Fenollosa, Toyama Shooichi,
1883 Characteristics
of Japanese People: finds few positive qualities
Kuga Katsunan
1857- Kuga Minoru
= studied French
political philosophy: foster nationalism to preserve independence [Pyle]
Numa Morikazu: studied English with
Hepburn, taught English to Shiba Shiroo
===Gesaku writers===================
Jono Denpei: Tokyo nichinichi first
chief
Mantei Oga
===Illustrators, Photographers,
Painters==================
1827-1882 Kawakami Toogai:
Western-style paintings
1866-1924 Kuroda Seika: founder
of modern art movement in Japan
1893 returns from
France; does sketches for Sino-J war.
1895 exhibits
nude painting: sensational (Keene calls it non-pornographic).
?? Keiryuuzu:
?? Neisai:
Ochiai Yoshiiku: chief of Hiragana
e-iri shinbun
===Criminals===================
Yoshioka Ryotaro 吉岡良太郎 Tottori
shizoku; 1875.4.15?? murders? girlfriend?
murder was
1874.9.13: reported in first issue of Hiragana e-iri shinbun
===Westerners in Japan==================
= note: starting
1872.04, 214 Westerners were hired to advise gov't (oyatoi gaijin kyooshi):
= Eng 119; Fr 50;
US 16; Germ? Neth? 8; Holl 2; Ma? 4; China 9; India 2; Denm? 1; Haku? 1;
...
?? - ?? William Willis (Br.;
in J: 1862-1877): {bio. by Cortazzi}
1868 accompanies
govt troops to Aizu to assist wounded
1815-1911 James Curtis Hepburn
(US): missionary, doctor
= students:
Okakura K.,
1818-1882 Antonio Fontanesi
(It): artist
1876.08? teaches
oil painting at newly est. School of Design (koobu bijutsu gakkoo):
= students include:
Asai ?Hiroshi, Koyama ?Shootaroo, Matsuoka ??, Takahashi Genkichi
1878 illness forces
return to Italy
1825-1908 Felice Beato (Venice):
Yokohama photographer
1825-1910 Gustave Emile Boissonade
de Fontarabie (Fr): French law:
1873~ invited to
Japan: teaches Natural Law, Criminal Law:
1880 primary author?
of chizaihoo (治罪法: enacted 1882: includes appeal process).
1887 opposes Inoue
Kaoru's proposal to allow non-Japanese judges: fueling opposition movement
1895 returns to
France
1826-1886 William Smith Clark:
1867~ President
of Massachusetts Agriculture College (??)
1876 invited by
Hokkaido Development: founds Sapporo Agriculture College: morals &
Bibles
?? on leaving Japan,
"Boys, be ambitious!"
1830-1899 Charles Wm. Le Gendre
(US):
1872~ advises Ministry
of Foreign Affairs: 1874 hard-liner against Formosa:
1890~ advisor to
Korean Gov't: dies in Korea (note death date doesn't match???).
1832-1891 Charles Wirgman:
illustrator
1857 arrives in
Japan as correspondent for The Illustrated London News.
1862-1887 publishes
The Japan Punch: Yokohama; illustrated news/satire: develops 'ponchi-e'
style.
1832-1898 Edoardo Chiossone
(It): etching artist:
1875 invited
by Finance Ministry to supervise money printing
?? portrait
of Meiji Emperor
1834-1893 Karl F. H. Roesler:
legal consultant
= in Japan
1878-1893:
1844-1893 Charles Appleton Longfellow:
first son of Henry Wadsworth {Guth, positions}
= in Japan
1871-73, '85, '91: had many photos taken of self, w/ tattoos, haori, etc.
1846-1925 Albert Mosse (Gr):
Legal consultant specializing in local government
= in Japan
1886-1890:
1849-1913 Erwin von Balz (Gr):
1876-1905 teaches
medicine: public health issues: advisor to Imperial Household
1850-1904 Lafcadio Hearn (Koizumi
Yakumo): reporter, writer:
1853-1908 Ernest Fenollosa:
1878 invited to
Tokyo to teach philosophy: gains interest in Japanese traditional arts
1882.05.14 lecture
at Ryuuchikai advocates preservation of Japanese paintings
1884 founds Kangakai
[Mirror Painting Society] with Okakura Kakuzoo
1890s returns to
US: Curator of Boston Museum
1858-1923 Henry Black: lived
in J. with journalist father:
1870s does rakugo
performances in J. of Western literature
1860-1927 George Bigot (Paris):
illustrator (for Zola's Nana)
1882.01.15 arrives
in Japan: army instructor: 1887 founds Tobae:
1893? parody of
??? scandal involving nude pictures and reporter Kuroda Kiyoaki
1880-1938?? Bruno Taut:
?? Nihonbi
no saihakken
?? Basil Hall Chamberlain
?? Leroy Lansing Janes: taught Tokutomi
Sohoo at Kumamoto: taught Christianity
?? S.R.Brown: missionary; Yokohama;
taught English to Okakura Kakuzoo;
Edward Morse: Tokyo U. Prof. of Zoology:
William Sturgis Bigelow: affluent
Bostonian: supported Okakura appointment to Boston Mus. of Fine Arts
1800s purchases
Tokyo? photography studio of von Stillfried
William Elliot Griffis (in J: 1870-)
===Colonial Writers (Nihongo Lit)==============================
1894-1943 Lai He:
1900-1940 Liu Na'ou: avant-garde
1902-1955 Zhang Wojun: (Beijing)
1905-1985 Yang Kui: (Taiwan) proletarian
lit
1908-1999 Nishikawa Mitsuru: (Taiwan)
1908-1940 Weng Nao: avant-garde: fetishized
Japanese famininity
1909-1978 Zhang Wenhuan: pastoral
realism
1911-1999 Long Yingzong: avant-garde
1914-1951 Lu Heruo:
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