Page:A handbook of modern Japan (IA handbookofmodern01clem).pdf/146

104 But it is really more intelligible to divide the history of the century into six periods of well-determined duration. Each one of these periods, moreover, may be accurately named in accord with the distinguishing characteristic of that period. It must, however, be clearly understood that these distinctions are not all absolute, but rather relative. It is also possible, without an undue stretch of the imagination, to trace, in the order of the periods, the general progress that has marked the history of New Japan. These periods are as follows:—

I.  Seclusion (1801-1853). II. Treaty-making (1854-1858). III. Civil Commotions (1858-1868). IV. Reconstruction (1868-1878). V.  Internal Development (1879-1889). VI. Constitutional Government (1889-1900).

It is of special interest for Americans to notice that the third and fourth periods are almost contemporaneous with the periods of Civil War and Reconstruction in the United States.

We now take up each period in detail.

1804.      Resanoff, Russian Embassy. 1807.      The "Eclipse" of Boston at Nagasaki. 1808.      The British frigate "Phaethon" at Nagasaki. 1811-1813. Golownin's captivity in Yezo. 1818.      Captain Gordon (British) in Yedo Bay.