Rickshaw Steamship Electrical telegraph Post system — started in 1871 as a route between Tokyo and Osaka, then nationwide the following year in 1872. Architecture and cities Buildings were built in a semi-Western style, using bricks for walls. A lot of buildings were designed by foreign architects. The British architect Josiah Conder designed the Rokumeikan, which became a key diplomatic building. Gradually, the number of Japanese architects increased, and an architect named Tatsuno Kingo designed a number of Western-style buildings. Tokyo Station is one such example. Other examples of Western-style architecture are the and Ginza Bricktown. Government-owned factories Tomioka Silk Mill — started operation in 1872. Clothing A hair-cutting order was issued in 1871. Sword Abolishment Edict Military uniform Western clothing Food There were major changes in Japanese food culture, such as eating sukiyaki as described in Kanagaki Robun's . Before, there was no culture of eating non-seafood meat in Japan because of a Buddhist belief that the meat of animals was impure. However, in order to abolish the ban on eating meat, meat was actively used in the Emperor's meals from 1871. When this was reported in newspapers or magazines, meat-eating was encouraged throughout the country. Imports of coffee and butter also started around this time, but these foods did not become very popular in Japan. In 1872, Japanese started brewing and selling beer in Osaka for the first time. In 1877, it was shipped to Tokyo, and at one time nearly 100 beer companies were established. Other changes included drinking milk and the invention of anpan. Education Enforcement of the school system Randoseru English language education Dispatch of students abroad — Tsuda Umeko Journalism and publishing Newspapers Meiroku magazine Translation of Western books Performing arts Shingeki Finance The government tried to solve a currency shortage by using coins and bills of the former period. Later, the gold standard system was introduced, and the was enacted in 1871 so that gold could be used as an international currency. In addition, the government, which wanted to unify the monetary system following the example of the United States, enacted the . In 1879, as many as 153 national banks were established across the country and were granted the right to issue paper money under certain conditions. Calendar Gregorian calendar — The Tenpō calendar was used until December 2, 1872, and the following day was changed to January 1, 1873, of the