Create a 1 page page paper that discusses compare and contrast upper-class life in 1800 in seoul with life in the same era in edo. be sure to include information on education and leisure activities.

Create a 1 page page paper that discusses compare and contrast upper-class life in 1800 in seoul with life in the same era in edo. be sure to include information on education and leisure activities. Compare and contrast upper life in 1800 in Seoul with life in the same era in Edo Before the 1800’s, Seoul was in isolation and was surrounded by large walls to keep off thieves and invasion by wild animals. During the 1800’s, Seoul opened up to foreigners and began accepting modern cultures (Ebrey et al. 240). Seoul led upfront among other Asian cities in getting modern utilities such as electricity, trolleys, water telephones, and telegraph systems. This change was encouraged by trade with other countries, such as the United States. For instance, electrical power was as a result of trade with the Americans. The cleanliness of the city improved, and so did the hygiene standards. Seoul grew with time and made great political impact. Among the activities that were embraced in Seoul were sports. The change in socio-political status of this era impacted on the interest in leisure activities as well as the education. Seoul people later embraced activities such as arts, learning the alphabets, painting, and drawings.

On the other hand, by 1800’s Edo was ruled by strict customs with the intention of promoting stability. Confucianism prevailed. ensuring that the social boundaries were strictly maintained, as in Seoul (Ebrey et al. 279-288). Unlike in Seoul, the Edo era consisted of four social orders. the samurai, the peasants, the merchants, and the artisans. The peasants produced the food necessary for life, unlike in Seoul where sports were embraced. Artisans produced non-food items while merchants amassed wealth without making goods, and were listed least socially. Before the 18th century, Japan was in isolation and the peasants and the samurai were poor and stagnated. In 1800’s, however, the education status of the people rose as the ban on western books was lifted. Scholars adopted Dutch books and learnt mathematics, medicine, and military science. Like in the Seoul, leisure and arts were embraced as well.

Work Cited

Ebrey, Buckley, Anne Walthall & James Palais. Premodern East Asia: A Cultural, Social, and Political History. 2nd ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2009. Print.