The Iwakura Embassy, 1871-73: A True Account of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary's Journey of Observation Through the United States of America and Europe, Volume IV: Continental Europe, 2

Available here in English for the first time, these reports chronicle the dawning of the modern era in Japan. When Commodore Perry opened Japan, ending the long-standing feudalism and isolation of the Tokugawa Shoganate, Japan's reaction to the West was unique among Asian countries—and it changed the course of history. The newly established Meiji government sent a large delegation on a tour of Western countries to report on how Japan might modernize its political, economic, and social infrastructure. This embassy of some fifty top officials was headed by Iwakura Tomomi and included such luminaries as Ito Hirobumi and Kido Takayoshi. These emissaries journeyed to the United States and eleven European countries, making thorough investigations into each country's politics, military affairs, trade and industry, education, and culture. Their reports, which helped Japan emerge as a modern industrial nation, constitute an indispensable documentary resource. The reports comprise five volumes: Volume 1: The United States of America, translated by Martin Collcutt; Volume 2: Britain, translated by Graham Healey; Volume 3: Continental Europe, 1 (France, Belgium, Holland, Germany), translated by Andrew Cobbing; Volume 4: Continental Europe, 2 (Russia, Denmark, Sweden, Italy, Austria), translated by Peter Kornicki; Volume 5: Continental Europe. 3, and the Voyage Home (Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, France, Egypt, Red Sea, Arabian Sea, Ceylon, Strait of Malacca, Saigon, Hong Kong, Shanghai), translated by Graham Healey, Eugene Soviak, and Chushichi Tsuzuki. This is the first English translation of the official report submitted by the Iwakura Embassy to the Meiji government. The five volume report was first published in Japanese in 1878. Between 1977 and 1982, Iwanami Shoten published a Japanese language library edition which enabled academics worldwide to evaluate how this mission changed the course of Japanese history during, and after, the Meiji era.The 50-member Embassy, led by Iwakura Tomomi, visited the United States and 12 major European countries in search of ways in which Japan could modernize her social and economic infrastructure. In each country the Embassy visited, it investigated that nation's political and military situation as well as the state of the economy, industry, education, culture and religion. After a total of 22 months abroad, the Embassy returned home in September 1873. This new English-language edition of the Embassy's report will undoubtedly open up avenues for further research and study by scholars throughout the world. The publication of this monumental piece of work will not only attract Western scholars of Japan, but will also be of wider importance for its remarkable first-hand demonstration and explanation of the emergence of a modern industrial nation, as well as its detailed and acute observations on the social and economic infrastructure of the countries visited. Contents Translator’s Introduction Editors’ Notes and Acknowledgements Volume IV: Continental Europe, 2 Contents of Volume IV 61. A General Survey of the Country of Russia 62. A General Survey of Russian Railways and the City of St. Petersburg 63. A Record of the City of St. Petersburg, 1 64. A Record of the City of St. Petersburg, 2 65. A Record of the City of St. Petersburg, 3 66. A Record of Northern Germany, First Part 67. A Record of the Country of Denmark 68. A Record of the Country of Sweden, 1 69. A Record of the Country of Sweden, 2 70. A Record of Northern Germany, Second Part, 1 71. A Record of Northern Germany, Second Part, 2 72. A Record of Southern Germany 73. A General Survey of the Country of Italy 74. A Record of the City of Florence 75. A Record of the CIty of Rome, 1 76. A Record of the CIty of Rome, 2 77. A Record of the CIty of Naples 78. A Record of Lombardy and the CIty of Venice 79. A General Survey of the Country of Austria 80. Travels in Austria and a General Survey of the CIty of Vienna 81. A Record of the CIty of Vienna; with a General Survey of the Country of Hungary Bibliography Appendix 1: The Members if the Embassy Appendix 2: Contents of the Other Volumes Index V. 1. The United States Of America / Translated By Martin Collcutt -- V. 2. Britain / Translated By Graham Healey -- V. 3. Continental Europe. 1 / Translated By Andrew Cobbing -- V. 4. Continental Europe. 2 / Translated By P.f. Kornicki -- Continental Europe. 3; And, The Voyage Home / Translated By Graham Healey, Eugene Soviak, Chushichi Tsuzuki. Compiled By Kume Kunitake ; Editors-in-chief, Graham Heaely, Chushichi Tsuzuki. Includes Bibliographical References And Indexes.