John Sagers, professor of history and the history department chair at Linfield College, will present “From Farmer to Financial Giant: Shibusawa Ei’ichi’s Blend of Confucianism and Capitalism in the Industrialization of Japan” on Wednesday, October 18, at 7 p.m. in the Fred Meyer Lounge in Riley Hall at Linfield.
Ei’ichi (1840-1931) was one of the most important financiers and industrialists in Japan’s modern economic transformation. During his career as the head of the Dai-Ichi Bank, Ei’ichi helped to finance and launch modern enterprises in a variety of industries. In his speeches, Ei’ichi exhorted business leaders to follow the ethical principles contained in “The Analects of Confucius.” This lecture investigates why Ei’ichi would continue to promote Confucian ideas while working to dismantle the samurai-dominated feudal social hierarchy which Japanese Confucian elites had long supported.
Sagers’ teaching at Linfield focuses on Japan, China and East Asia. He received his bachelor’s degree in history from the University of California at Berkeley, a master’s degree in Pacific international affairs from the University of California, San Diego and a Ph.D. in East Asian History from the University of Washington.
The lecture is free and open to the public. The Linfield College faculty lecture series offers one presentation each month. For more information, call 503-883-2409.
