rely, depend; count on

the modern world; this world; the contemporary world / Clipping of 当世風 (tōseifū).

technology

過ぎる: (auxiliary) too, too much; to exceed, to go beyond something

to exceed; to surpass / to be too much; to be excessive

Alternative spelling of 薄絹 (“sheer silk”)

a surname

merely; no more than

negative of 過ぎる (sugiru) [ichidan]

(と〜) thinking that […] (with the next clause explaining that the truth is contrary to expectations)