Photographs of 19th Century Japan

There was nothing to do back then. And if there was, it was crazy and/or reserved for the feudal lords. The primary income of the state was through alcohol taxes. Countries thought it was okay to invade other countries just to make themselves bigger/stronger countries. Nationalism, racism, sexism were the norm. Most people can't read/write. Information is scant and passed on by word of mouth.

(Re-reading what I wrote above, I'd like to clarify that all the stuff I wrote above (except perhaps the alcohol tax one?) is of course not specific to Japan.)

Thanks for the insight, but how it is different from today?

- Countries now thought it IS okay to invade other countries just to make themselves bigger/stronger countries: There are currently many examples in the news.

- Nationalism, racism, sexism are the norm: Nationalism is obviously on the rise. Racism never disappeared, even being tattooed is seen as an excuse to deport people.

https://azmirror.com/2025/04/08/ice-director-envisions-amazo...

- Women and men are much more sexualized today than in my youth, despite the talk of feminism and #metoo.

- Most people can't read/write (see Piza results). Only 10% of people can understand a simple statistics.

- Information is scant (see social networks and disinformation)

For context, about my post, I am from France, and what I wrote is not specific to any country but seems to me to apply to all.