Japanese culture in the 1890s

Although Japan was secluded from the rest of the world for 200 years, it was not an uncivilized country. During that time a relative peace lay over the land which allowed for the arts and theater to develop. Skilled artisans developed superior quality paper, silk, porcelain and steel bladed swords- all unmatched in the rest of the world. These were some of the gifts given to Commodore Perry at the time of the signing of the treaty. However, his unskilled eye did not correctly estimate their value. Japan had valued regular bathing and cleanliness a century before Europe and America. Likewise, early on, their towns had gutters on their buildings and street sewers. Their public manners were also impressive in their civility and graciousness. Yet the country was deep into a feudal land and government system with few liberties for the people. Much of the country could be likened to the middle ages of Europe with feudal lords (daimyos) and knights (samurais) loyal to them.