| Scholars have long regarded the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-95 as a decisive turning point for China, after which reformers looked to Japan as a model for change. This dissertation, for the first time in any language, systematically examines the most important public and private writings of Chinese who visited Japan in the period between the establishment of official relations in 1872 and the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-95.;Not surprisingly, the responses of these men varied according to prior experiences, personal predilections, and the particular stage of Japanese reforms at the time of their visits. Yet uniform patterns also emerge from their reports and writings.;All, for example, exhibited a profound sense of ambivalence about change in Japan. On the favorable side, most noted with approval Japanese "nation building" efforts to improve transportation and communications, spread universal education, and strengthen the military. Many even lauded the Japanese government's role in improving conditions for commerce and trade, as well as other institutional reforms. But the earliest observers uniformly condemned the crushing tax burden imposed by the new Meiji government on the Japanese people, and, throughout, these Chinese bemoaned what they perceived as Japan's betrayal of her Chinese cultural heritage in her rush to learn from the West.;In short, prior to 1894-95, Chinese knew a great deal more about Japan than previously realized, and even found much to admire and emulate. Yet as this study shows, their observations suffered limitations, and their views failed perceptibly to influence home government policies.;The opening section recounts the traditional Chinese attitude toward Japan and the historical circumstances of renewed contact between the two countries. The main body examines the observations of the nine men, Ho Ju-chang, Huang Tsun-hsien, Wang T'ao, Wang Chih-ch'un, Yao Wen-tung, Ch'en Chia-lin, Li Shu-ch'ang, Ku Hou-hun and Fu Yun-lung. Most went as diplomats. Some went as official "observers." One, Wang T'ao, went as an invited celebrity. |
