Making change easy

In 18th century Japan, commerce rose to prominence.

Wealth and power became dictated by money rather than land.

This was an upheaval. The samurai were less valuable, and many became merchants.

Lower-ranking samurai, calling people to remember their past, led the Meiji Restoration (backed by merchant money).

They invited controlled change and Westernization.

But called it a return to an earlier era.