Final answer:
The early Meiji era in Japan was characterized by a cultural clash between traditional Japanese ways and the new Western-influenced modernization that came with the Meiji Restoration.
Step-by-step explanation:
In early Meiji Japan circa 1870, the conflict depicted between the new and old is a cultural clash. This is evident in the historical context of the time, as the opening of Japan and subsequent Meiji Restoration led to the intentional embrace of Western technology and modernization to prevent foreign colonization. Traditional social structures experienced upheaval as the samurai class was disbanded and class distinctions were abolished, leading to uprisings such as the Satsuma Rebellion, which were ultimately quelled by the new, modernized government forces. Japan's rapid modernization involved a significant transformation in its social, political, and cultural fabric, challenging the traditional way of life and leading to a struggle between embracing innovation and maintaining historical identity.