Kitty: Ah, the beloved history of Japan! Why doesn't that sound exciding?
Thanks to my beta reader, Miss Kay!
Disclaimer: I don't own DNAngel which belongs to Yukiru Sugisaki. Or Goku from Dragon Ball Z.
Bold: Dark's thoughts
Dark had made it to Daisuke's class in plenty of time and the class was just waiting for the teacher. When the teacher finally did come, he went straight into teaching.
"Hello class. We'll be learning about the Meiji period which went from 1868 to 1912. In 1867/68, the Tokugawa era found an end in the Meiji Restoration. The emperor Meiji was moved from Kyoto to Tokyo which became the new capital; his imperial power was restored. The actual political power was transferred from the Tokugawa Bakufu into the hands of a small group of nobles and former samurai.
Like other subjugated Asian nations, the Japanese were forced to sign unequal treaties with Western powers. These treaties granted the Westerners one-sided economical and legal advantages in Japan. In order to regain independence from the Europeans and Americans and establish herself as a respected nation in the world, Meiji Japan was determined to close the gap to the Western powers economically and militarily. Drastic reforms were carried out in practically all areas."
'I know all this. I lived though most of it. The Niwas of the time were kinda nice, but none are as great as Daisuke. He's the best. Emiko is cool, but she's scary at times. Like one time, when I almost got caught, I swear she nearly skinned me. And another time when I got a drop of water on a painting she really liked, she chased me around the house for hours. I finally hid inside Daisuke and she yelled at the poor boy till she lost her voice... Which took a few hours, by the way.' Dark thought, as the teacher kept teaching.
"The new government aimed to make Japan a democratic state with equality among all its people. The boundaries between the social classes of Tokugawa Japan were gradually broken down. Consequently, the samurai were the big losers of those social reforms since they lost all their privileges. The reforms also included the establishment of human rights such as religious freedom in 1873.
In order to stabilize the new government, the former feudal lords (daimyo) had to return all their lands to the emperor. This was achieved already in 1870 and followed by the restructuring of the country in prefectures.
The education system was reformed after the French and later after the German system. Among those reforms was the introduction of compulsory education."
'Why do these poor kids need to know this crap? I mean, there are so many jobs where you don't need to know math, or science or history or... stuff. I mean, look at my job! Every one loves me and I can't add 1 + 1! I'm proud of that too! All I have to know is how to steal and sneak. And Krad's job too. All he has to know is how to kill. Not hard. And Creep Boy's, he just sets traps that don't work!
"After about one to two decades of intensive westernization, a revival of conservative and nationalistic feelings took place: principles of Confucianism and Shinto including the worship of the emperor were increasingly emphasized and taught at educational institutions.
Catching up on the military sector was, of course, a high priority for Japan in an era of European and American imperialism. Universal conscription was introduced, and a new army modeled after the Prussian force, and a navy after the British one were established."
'Don't teachers ever get tired of talking? How do they do it? And most aren't even that good. Teach kids how to steal. That's the best job there is. It's even better if you can use magic too. And wings. You must have wings. Then you can fly away and laugh at the cops. And get away from the fangirls. They're every creepy. Like one time, when a fangirl jumped on me from a building when I was flying away. I had the knock her out and that was hard since she kept trying to kiss me. And living with a fangirl is worse, like To-To. Dai thinks its silly that I hide from her, but he's never had her try and grope him before!'
"In order to transform the agrarian economy of Tokugawa Japan into a developed industrial one, many Japanese scholars were sent abroad to study Western science and languages, while foreign experts taught in Japan. The transportation and communication networks were improved by means of large governmental investments. The government also directly supported the prospering of businesses and industries, especially the large and powerful family businesses called zaibatsu.
The large expenditures led to a financial crisis in the middle of the 1880's which was followed by a reform of the currency system and the establishment of the Bank of Japan. The textile industry grew fastest and remained the largest Japanese industry until WW2 Work conditions in the early factories were very bad, but developing socialist and liberal movements were soon suppressed by the ruling clique."
'Yah, working in those factories was very boring, I'm sure. Just doing the same thing over and over again, BORING! That's why you should steal! Nothing better. Any shiny thing you can get your paws on. What reminds me of a thief I once met. He tried to steal my sucker! I was so mad at him, I blew him up with a big ball of energy while yelling khamehameha. Then this guy with poofy black hair came up to me and yelled at me for stealing his line. I smirked at him and told him that's what I do. I am a phantom thief after all. Then he left muttering about imposters.
"On the political sector, Japan received its first European style constitution in 1889. A parliament, the Diet was established while the emperor kept sovereignty: he stood at the top of the army, navy, executive and legislative power. The ruling clique, however, kept on holding the actual power, and the able and intelligent emperor Meiji agreed with most of their actions. Political parties did not yet gain real power due to the lack of unity among their members.
"Conflicts of interests in Korea between China and Japan led to the Sino-Japanese War in 1894-95. Japan defeated China, received Taiwan, but was forced by Russia, France and Germany to return other territories. The so called Triple Intervention caused the Japanese army and navy to intensify their rearmament."
'Yah wanna know what's cool? Ducks. They're so cute! They go quack quack and fly! With is better though. And he's much cuter. Except this one time when he ate my blankie. Dai had to stop me from killing him. Said I needed wings. What? He doesn't think I don't have my own wings? I do. I just like to let With get out of the house.'
"New conflicts of interests in Korea and Manchuria, this time between Russia and Japan, led to the Russo-Japanese War in 1904-05. The Japanese army also won this war gaining territory and finally some international respect. Japan further increased her influence on Korea and annexed her completely in 1910. In Japan, the war successes caused nationalism to increase even more, and other Asian nations also started to develop national self confidence.
In 1912 emperor Meiji died, and the era of the ruling clique of elder statesmen (genro) was about to end," The teacher finished.
Now kiddies, what did we learn? School is no good, Emiko is scary when mad and can run very fast and yell very load and long, don't let To-To become your fangirl, ducks and With are cool, don't let With near your blankie. Off to Dai's next class. Japanese.' Dark thought as the bell rang. He ran out of the room and headed to Dai's last class, Japanese.
Kitty: Er, I don't know if any one really read the history part... I only read the first few paragraphs and that was it for me. Don't get mad at me if it's wrong, cuz I just got it off of the site I put up there and don't know a thing about Japanese history. And sorry for the late up-date, I was lazy. And I have another fic up called Dark's logic, so if ya want, check that out.