Appearance
Before the Western world came to Japan, traditional kimonos were worn, different materials and patterns for each season or celebration. With Western influence, Emperor Meiji encouraged his people, both men and women, to embrace a new look and lifestyle.
When at home women were to dress traditionally, but when out on show for the public they adopted a western style dress. This was thanks to the influence of the Empress. After she was seen wearing western clothing, women throughout Japan did the same. The western style outfit consisted of a dress, Victorian style shoes, a western hairstyle and an accessory such as hats, umbrellas, jewellery and watches. Although the women of Japan adopted a western style outfit when out, in the home it was not practical. The high buttoned shoe interfered with the Japanese tradition of taking ones shoes off when entering somewhere and the full skirts and bustles were impractical for sitting down.
Education
It was believed that to continue the modernisation of Japan, education was to be promoted. In 1872, the Fundamental Code of Education was enacted and as a result 20,000 schools were established around the country. Although there were many schools, the enrolment rate of females after 5 years was 23%.
Before the Fundamental Code of Education, a school called Tokyo Jyogakkō “Tokyo Woman School” was founded by the Meiji government in 1872. Students were between the ages of 8 to 15 year of age. Girls were taught English, sewing, craft and Japanese. The mantra of "good wife and wise mother" was key for a woman's education. This key phrase was used to train girls to think of her family first and to do what was best of them. Colleges and Universities were both established for women including 'Jissen Jogakkō “Practice Women College” founded in 1899 by Shimoda Utako.
Women's Rights
The Meiji Restoration was a time for change and life of women was changing. During early industrialisation, women were worked in factories under poor conditions. They were constantly exploited and denied any freedom. By the end of the Meiji Era, these situations were less common. Women still had no power in society or their families but they were now encouraged to be educated. They now received an education making them a good wife and a wise mother. Women were still under the influence of the man of the house and legally had no power. Under the Meiji Constitution of 1889 and the Law of Election female citizens were denied the right to vote.
In their family lives, there were also more freedoms. In marriage, a woman could now divorce her husband. If he was violent or abusive she could legally have a divorce but if he had cheated on her there was nothing she could do. Women could now own land. With the consent of her husband a woman could own her own property.
Role at Home
Women during the Meiji Restoration lived by a saying; ryosai kenbo or good wife and wise mother. Her role in the home was to raise intelligent children and obey the man of the house. When she was young this was her father then her husband when she married. If her husband died she would then have to listen to her son.
At home, the women had many jobs that they were required to do. It was the women's responsibility to feed & clothe her family, clean, cook and to manage the household finances. She was also required to care for elderly and young.
Treatment of Women
Women were still overruled by men and had no power in society. Wives were cheated on and could do nothing about it. Women had no right to vote.
During the industrialisation of Japan, women made up 80% of the work force in the booming textile industry. The standards of the factories these women worked in were low. Women employees were overworked, over crowed and underpaid. Due to poor treatment and unhygienic work conditions, workers would often get sick, making them take time off and causing them to loose pay. To make things worse, some employers would trap the women inside and forbid them to leave to make more money.
Although the meiji Restoration made a man's influence less, the Meiji Civil Code denied women any legal rights. In 1946 woman were granted this right. Not all treatment of women was bad. During the rule of Emperor Meiji, both men and women were granted the power of choosing the spouse and occupation, keep custody of their children and to own or inherit land in their name.
Before the Western world came to Japan, traditional kimonos were worn, different materials and patterns for each season or celebration. With Western influence, Emperor Meiji encouraged his people, both men and women, to embrace a new look and lifestyle.
When at home women were to dress traditionally, but when out on show for the public they adopted a western style dress. This was thanks to the influence of the Empress. After she was seen wearing western clothing, women throughout Japan did the same. The western style outfit consisted of a dress, Victorian style shoes, a western hairstyle and an accessory such as hats, umbrellas, jewellery and watches. Although the women of Japan adopted a western style outfit when out, in the home it was not practical. The high buttoned shoe interfered with the Japanese tradition of taking ones shoes off when entering somewhere and the full skirts and bustles were impractical for sitting down.
Education
It was believed that to continue the modernisation of Japan, education was to be promoted. In 1872, the Fundamental Code of Education was enacted and as a result 20,000 schools were established around the country. Although there were many schools, the enrolment rate of females after 5 years was 23%.
Before the Fundamental Code of Education, a school called Tokyo Jyogakkō “Tokyo Woman School” was founded by the Meiji government in 1872. Students were between the ages of 8 to 15 year of age. Girls were taught English, sewing, craft and Japanese. The mantra of "good wife and wise mother" was key for a woman's education. This key phrase was used to train girls to think of her family first and to do what was best of them. Colleges and Universities were both established for women including 'Jissen Jogakkō “Practice Women College” founded in 1899 by Shimoda Utako.
Women's Rights
The Meiji Restoration was a time for change and life of women was changing. During early industrialisation, women were worked in factories under poor conditions. They were constantly exploited and denied any freedom. By the end of the Meiji Era, these situations were less common. Women still had no power in society or their families but they were now encouraged to be educated. They now received an education making them a good wife and a wise mother. Women were still under the influence of the man of the house and legally had no power. Under the Meiji Constitution of 1889 and the Law of Election female citizens were denied the right to vote.
In their family lives, there were also more freedoms. In marriage, a woman could now divorce her husband. If he was violent or abusive she could legally have a divorce but if he had cheated on her there was nothing she could do. Women could now own land. With the consent of her husband a woman could own her own property.
Role at Home
Women during the Meiji Restoration lived by a saying; ryosai kenbo or good wife and wise mother. Her role in the home was to raise intelligent children and obey the man of the house. When she was young this was her father then her husband when she married. If her husband died she would then have to listen to her son.
At home, the women had many jobs that they were required to do. It was the women's responsibility to feed & clothe her family, clean, cook and to manage the household finances. She was also required to care for elderly and young.
Treatment of Women
Women were still overruled by men and had no power in society. Wives were cheated on and could do nothing about it. Women had no right to vote.
During the industrialisation of Japan, women made up 80% of the work force in the booming textile industry. The standards of the factories these women worked in were low. Women employees were overworked, over crowed and underpaid. Due to poor treatment and unhygienic work conditions, workers would often get sick, making them take time off and causing them to loose pay. To make things worse, some employers would trap the women inside and forbid them to leave to make more money.
Although the meiji Restoration made a man's influence less, the Meiji Civil Code denied women any legal rights. In 1946 woman were granted this right. Not all treatment of women was bad. During the rule of Emperor Meiji, both men and women were granted the power of choosing the spouse and occupation, keep custody of their children and to own or inherit land in their name.