The Iwakura Embassy, 1871-1873, Volume III
Continental Europe, 1
Kunitake Kume
MHM Limited, 2002
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. Volume III covers the first three and a half months of the journey across the Continent, recording the party's impressions in France, Belgium, Holland and Prussia.
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