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S A

i^-?i55

MISSIONARY SOCIETY

"»i°;t:rtrj4t£: -^^•""■'^ •■» --

"r;

Slethodist Mission Rooms,
Toronto, 18

A. SUTHERLAND,

General Secretary.

Superintendent.

■>i^

rns ONir^u cnmca of camai\a

PTliC3B :'X''

W3EXKd

' vmu^^.

JAPAN;

THE LAND OF THE MORNING.

.•I

M^S^

JAPAN;

THF. LAND OF THE MORNING.

RKV. JOHN W. SAUXHV, RA.

* * *

TOROXTO :

METHODIST MISSION ROOMS,

1895.

P j^-v^' V

Entered, accordiri<r to (Hp Anf ,,» *. r, ..

;jousa.,d ei.h^;:td': ;::,.?:':"- "'^^-;-ia. i- the ,«.. o„.

the Minister of Agriculture, Ottawa ' '"" ""■"°''' '" "'« Office of

910164

CONTENTS,

Thk Land -

CHAPTER I.

CHAPTER II.

Myth and Tkadition

CHAPTER III.
In the Ancient Days

CHAPTER IV.
The Scholar and the Phikst

CHAPTER V.
The STRUG(iLE kor the Mastery -

CHAPTER VI.
The Samurai and His Lord -

CHAPTER VII.
The Trader and the Missionary -

CHAPTER VIII.

Tokugawa's Triuaiph

CHAPTER IX.

Daybreak -

CHAPTER X.
Sunrise in Sunrise Land

Paqr
■ II

- 128

159

191

216

- 237

- 265

* . . !.

JAPAN;

THE LAND OF THE MORNING.

CHAPTER I.

THE LAND.

JAPAN is no longer slu^ouded in the mists of
U ohscunty. In the throwing open of her ports
to foreign n.tereourse and trade, the Occident and
the Onent have clasped hands over the broad Pacific
and the very ends of the earth are now no longe;
ends, but sun,.ly way-marks on the great highway
winch Commerce has thrown up for herself around

tret "f 1-''" ^^°'^- '' ^^ -^ --ssary,
heie ore, in descrUnng this " The Land of the Morn-
ing to re er at length to its geographical position.
Everyone knows the long, slender chain of islands
which extends along the eastern coa4 of Asia all the
way from earUiquake-riven, storm-beaten Kamichatka
to the sunny Island of Formosa, thus constituting the
great outpost of that mighty continent. ^

Several thousand islands there are in this famous
ardnp^ago. and tliese have an aggregate arer^f
1^0,000 sciuare miles-a little greater than the

JAPAN ; THE LAND oP TJ,E MOUNING.

ifl:

Province of Ontario. But over half of this area at

o ly totlieuoo.I,sman and the eharcoal-burner ; and
all but a very small number of these islan.ls are but
masses ot volcanie rock cast up from the sea toob i^>
ooru,,edforau,htelsesavfasaresti.^lte'^
the weary ,nn. of the wild-fowl whose ho ne t on
the face of the 2ni^dity deep.

It IS only nece.ssarv for us thon f^ n

-e«„,a.. eroseent, enelosin, the Japan Sea ,:,-„:
jit tho.r extre,n,t,es. approach the continental m^'

land ^n T ."'"'■'^^ ~^'"'""' '°-''g «iKl't of

tend i he most northerly of these four main islanjs

called by tlie Japanese then.selves, both oifieially and

Co ;:r"'r '":• ■""," "°'^^""'"'' «■• «- -^"*

touc ?the r '"^'""'•'^■■■'y -"'—ity of tin., island
tonchcs the sa.ne parallel of latitude as that of

H i^^aid th:::r"1 °' r '", "°'""™" °' ^^anada ani
otl" ll! ""'' '='""■' " «'™"K «se."blanee

ot tie Kne, St Lawrence. For long enouffh tlie
Hokkanio was a va.st wilderness, the hon,e of the
abor,Kn,al An,o and his fabled relative the bear but
of late years the agricdtural po.ssib:lities andTs; th
mineral wealtli of this north l.,n,l l.„ i ,

known ,,„! n T ' ""^ become better

Known, ,ind the Japanese Government is turnin.r its
attention very nractieiilv tn il , • . " "^

develomnent of ,p'";"''''"y '" '■'"' colonization and
aev elopment of this important part of the Empire.

<'G.

lis area, at
' liabitable
niL'i- ; and
<ls are but
i, too bare,
:-place for
uine is on

nfine our

form an
id v/hich,
'juI main-
ly almost

.si^dit of
n islands
it is now
ally and
e Xorth
lis island

that of
tla ; and
mblance
kes and
igh the

of the
ir; but
ilso the
! better
lintr its

»n and
>ire.

THE LAND.

To the southward of the Hokkaido, and just
across the narrow Straits of Tsugaru, lies Hondo, the
main island of the Em})ire. In fact, this island,
extendin<r over seven parallels of latitude, has always
been called by the Japanese the " Mainland," and this
it is for more reasons than that of its size. It is the
great theatre of Japanese history. Upon it are
situated all the cities of truly national importance,
and at least four-fifths of all the trade with foreign
nations is transacted in its seaports. An idea *of
the relative position of the island can be formed from
the fact that Tokyo, the Imperial capital, situated
almost equidistant from the extremities of the island,
corresponds approximately in latitude to the capital
of the State of North Carolina.

The next island in the group, which claims our
attention, is the Island of Shikoku, i.e., "four pro-
vinces." A reference to the map of Japan will
show this island lying close in at the side of the
southern limb of the main island, and, with the famous
Inland Sea, adding grace and symmetry to the
crescent thus roughly formed. And indeed, no other
member of the group contributes more to the beauty
of the whole than does this little island of the " four
provinces." Not only does its own scenery of
mountain and valley and rushing river rival in excel-
lence that of the others, but, by forming the southern
coast of the Inland Sea, it has become a great p, irt of
the setting to the brightest gem that shines in the
brilliant diadem of natural beauty forever adorning
the brow of this Island Empire of the Orient.

japan; the land op the morning.

liif

Just across the Straif>4 of <;;)>,•,
ern extremiKr of f],^ » • • , '"'''^'^'' at tlie south-

and l.ere CI.risL„l fi " '™'" ""«■■' «'o seas,
her victorie a , o™„ " , ""'■"""' " '°°">°'''- -»

i-da,,f™;:,,::tx.^A.^^

feudal despoti r o r ; r , '■°"; *'" «'°""""« °f
to the b,.i,!;,t„e.; ZL w z 7::°'' .t'-™^'

sunrir'u;: ■ t:: zz 'r^ "'"-"^ °* «>'^

the Britons t},e L . '""P'" "'^ «n™nt as

reached t^n^^Z:! cV;' b "''™ """■^'^ '«'-'
to reach the far elt a„T H T ? ""'"' "•''^*™'-d
P»ora.na inten J^f^l :. T i^ 1,1 "°"'-'
ness, and all the more .,o because „fh "T""

veiled in obscurity from the erof t ^"^ '° '"'«
world. ' "•> " °' the great western

THE LAND.

Those islands are all of volcanic origin, and in their
bosoms the internal fires are by no means extinct, nor
can scarcely be said to bo slumbering. Hai-dly a day
passes but that in some part of the Empire the
earth(|uake shocks terrify the inhabitants not .so
nmch by what actually occui's as with the thought
of what may possibly befall them the very next
instant. In hundreds of localities hot springs gush
forth inces.santly, and here and there the" active
volcano sends up its black cloud of incense to the
sky. Death-dealing eartlxjuakes and volcanic erup-
tions are still frequent enough to make a deep sense
of security in the stability of the earth beneath our
feet an utter impossibility.

But even in this, Japan teaches us lessons of earth-
making which we could never learn on this broad
continent as it now i,s. To illustrate : In our youth
when the fires of life are strong within us, our
countenances are smooth and fair, not even the first
sign of a wrinkle can be seen upon them ; but as age
creeps on and the vital flame within us burns low,
then the wrinkles begin to appear : first, the crow's-
feet at the corners of the eyes, and then one by one
the long furrows come, first on brow and then on
cheek. Just place the face of the bright little cherub
of two summers beside that of its grandfather of
threescore years and ten, and you at once reali;5e the
mighty contrast. Well, so it was in the days when
Earth was young and the fires were strong within
her bosom. Then not a wrinkle appeared on her
countenance; but as the internal fires gradually

JAPAN; THE LAND OP THE MORNInq.

to":;!; ','":, ''T 1 °" '"""- f'-"-'" l-nme,loeply
tain., iirted thcnselve. '::^X"ZJ2^1 "T"
-a basin, .ere f„..,„e,l. Now tl,;: , L , ' III;
E^UHnTTT'"-- '•"''- •'-■«'=• Wan a it

t he m„,lor,„g of that ^reut battle of uJZTI

a. the- an, tarthe. to the ce„tre of the dobo i .fvon
now auihble to the Imman ea,- An,l ,„ f l V
y «..t Hfted the loftiest n.on„t, ■: „ n :i;'™:
pr.meva .sland above the l,i,.host wave rest .uti
then .ent then, towenng aloft until they en e ',, ,1
palace of the storm kin,' above are still,. i
yo,u.er gradually lifti,;;, the ''nrn:; ■ L' ^t ri
h.gher toward the sky. and wresting n.ore a d sUn
"'Z Brntory from the do.ninion of l,>e se s ""

t."t^;::xiit,:tb:.?s.t:tri
=:r:::i:r.tt^!:r''™

waa formerly very «Uve t f '"""*-' *'*''=• "'™'>

ot the entrance, until now only craft nf „. , ??
tonnage can find an entrance there The T 1?
that the channel may have sanded nn?"'""'""
because .either is tire 17^^^:;^^:

THE LAND.

harbor, nor are there waves alon^r tlie coast of such
a character as to produce auythin^r of thi.s nature.
The .simple fact of the matter is, that every earth-
quake tremor is Init another little pu.sh which is
sendin^r the islund hinher and hi^dier out of the water,
and thus imi)erceptih!y, althou<rh no le.ss surely,'
chan^rinjr the contour of the coast.

Nauman, in },i.s study of the ^rreat Yeddo plain,
which trends north and eastward from the city of
Tokyo, draws attention to the fact that maps, from
the first half of the eleventh century, make Yeddo
Bay run much farther to the north, the mouth of
the Sumida River lie farther back, and place the site
of the lower part of the present city of Tokyo under
water. Even in the middle of the sixteenth century
the sea completely covered both parts of the city on
the left side of the River Sumida, namely, Fukagawa
and Hon-o. This writer shows also that the emerg-
ing of this tract of land out of the water cannot
possibly be due to the carrying down of sediment by
the river, but is, to a great extent, the result of this
well-nigh constant movement going on within the
earth itself.

Japan, consistent with its volcanic origin, is exceed-
ingly mountainous. From the northern extremity
of the Hokkaido down to the most southerly point
of Kiushiu, run great mountain cliains almost
continuously through the centre of the country
forming, as it were, a great backbone to the whole
group ; while from these, minor ranges of hills run
down toward the coast, finding a termination only in

iAPAS, THE LAND OF Tilt: MOHNIMQ.

Homo boM headUwf whicli frow.i.s down upon the
mstlms waters beneatl.. We, who h've in the bosom
ot this mi<rlity Amerieun continent, with its vast
pnunes and ahnost h-mitless tracts of rolHn.r wood-
and, can scarcely form an ade<iuate conception of
the physical features of a country like Japan In
that hmd there is hardly a sin^de spot for tlie foot to
rest upon frcmi which a mountain is not in siHit
No child cradled on any one of those sea-^irt isles
nee.ls a word-picture to learn what a mountain is ■
in the frreater school of nature the object lesson is'
always before him. But thousands there are who
bon, .n some defile of the mountains, luive to sit
down and learn from the lips of others the meaniuir
of the word plain or prairie. True, tlu-io is a
goodly number of level plains, not only alon^r the
sea-coast but away in amon^r the mountains, some of
which seem either to liave been the hlled-uj, craters
of immense volcanoes or the beds of lakes, the waters
of which have long ago escaped to the sea. Still the
combined area of these is so small as scarcely to enter
a protest to a .hscription which would characterize
Japan as a vast series of merged mountain peaks
standing out of the restless waters of the lonelv
Pachc.

These mountains, however, are not so arid and
barren as one would suppose, reasoning from their
volcanic character. That the soil is not naturally
fertile is true ; and , ^. Nature lias always her bussed
compen.sations. Tho , vr otenf. Hand that piled
up those mighty massc.. ,. j-..r-k. has also surrounded

IL-

ra.

upon the
tli(! bosom
> its vast
in^^ wood-
Jt'ption of
iipan. In
ho foot to

in si^^lit.
■-^h't isles
intuin is;

lesson is
are vvlio,
ve to sit
moaning
ere is a
long the
, some of
J) craters
e waters
Still, the
to enter
faeterize
1 peaks,
i lonelv

rid and
m their
iturally
blfssed
i j)iled
ounded

THK LAND.

...n.wdholh.r kindly forcvs, wInVh, fur np towanl
tl«e„ su,.,„„ts,,.iotlM. th.M. with a v.'sturo of livin-^
^^.v.M lH.,spanu.|,>d n,..- will. ,he varied hues of nndti"
tildes ol wild-llowers.

Had Japan us little rainfall as the Province of
Ma.Htoha, il, woul.l he little more than a barren
wilderness; but the .combine.1 inlhience of the
Kurosh.wo, the (h.ir Stn-am of the I'aeifie. and the
Monsoon results in so drenehing those hills and

valkys with the d.ws of heaven, as to make even the
<lj's,.rt re,o,eeaud blossom as the rose. The former
ot these, th,. Kuro,shiM'o. /....the Black Current, has its
ongm somewhere near the Island of Fonno.sa, and
■sweeping noiUnvanl reaches Japan and Hows in an.l
on among all the islands of the arehipelago as well
as through the Japan Sea. After leaving Japan, the
lack nrn.nt travels away to the eastward, alon-.
the southern shore of the Aleutians, and eventuali;
touching the coast of North America, follows it all
ho way troin Sitka to Cape St. Lucas, under the
name ol I.e North Pacihc Drift. This great current
con.es to the shores of Japan freighted tvith tropical
heat w ueh, though not so much needed by the nost
-utiu^rly ..u.ls. goes ve.y far in modeling tl^
ciuuate ol the eolder north. Then, too, all along the
eas ern shores, through the prevailing warmth, cloud-
making ,s very constant as well as rapid. Then the

Monsoon, blowing four nionths in the^.var siLt

n one .hrection, wafts the clouds over the land and

the mountains liftiug up their hands eall . h.It

and rob them of their moisture. Thus mountain.

japan; the land of the morning.

«■

slope and plain and valley are constantly enriched
and beautified.

The influence of th.3 ]\[on.soon upon the climate of
Japan i.s M'orthy of more than a passincr notice. The
personal e.xperience of the writer does not extend
beyond the bounds of the main island, and yet there,
at least, the efl'ect of this wind is very marked.'
From June to Septeml)er it blows almost continu-
ously from the south-east, and comes up laden with
the mists of the ocean. Consecpiently the east coast
is drenched durin^r the greater j)art of the time, be-
cause the mountains are high enough to arrest the
clouds in their course and condense the moisture into
rain. Then, on the west coast, this same wind comes
down from the tops of the mountains, dry, cool and
refreshing, making the summer in that locality very
delightful. But in the latter part of November the
order of things is reversed. The Monsoon turns
around, an.l blowing from the north-west, from the
steppes of Siberia, catches the mists from off the
face of the Japan Sea, and Innls them wet and cold
against the mountain-slopes of the west coast. Then
as the gloom of winter deepens, it becomes just cold
enough to turn the rain into snow, and to' bring it
down at times in such ([uantities as to completely
block the streets and j)ut an end to all traflic.

Many of the towns in the Prefecture (Province) of
Niigata, where these heavy snowfaus are of yearly
occurrence, present a very peculiar appearance. ' Over
the sidewalks of all the streets is built one long con-
tinuous verandah, which is oidy broken at some of

y enriched

clinuite of
»tico. The
lot extend
yet there,
r marked,
; eontinu-
iden with
east coast

time, be-
■irrest tlie
sture into
ind conies
, cool and
Uity very
smber the
on turns
from tlie
1 off tlie
and cold
it. Then
just cold

brino' it
inpletely

vince) of
•f yearly
e. Over
ong con-
some of

THE LAND.

the principal street corners. The use of this veraiulah
IS not at all evident except one visits the town in the
winter time, when it becomes (juite evident. The snow,
compk.tely saturated with moisture, falls so .|uiel<Iy
and in such (juantities as to endan^'er the roof of
evt^ry house i„ the t<.wn. Then the people turn out
and shovel it off into the streets below, there bein-' no
place else to ]>ut it. The streets are so narrow that
they soon l.ecome filled ri^-ht up, even lex'el with tlu>
very roofs thems,.|ves. The \erandah then l)eeonu>s
the only thorouo-jifare throu^-h which the people pass
irom house to house an.l from street to street. And
when they come to the intersections of streets they
simj.ly tunn,.l through until they strike the veranda),
on the other side.

()f course, at such times, almost everv occupation
ceases except that of shovellino. snow, a.ld the jM-opI,.
crouch around the little Hre-boxes in their cheerless
i-"')n.s waitino- for the brio-hter days of the conn-...^
spnno..time. This wouhl not aj.pear at all strann,. in
the far north, lait certainly is a peculiar freak of
/'•une Nature when it occurs in a latitude eN.-n
tarther south than that of the citv of New \ovk ■
and when, at the same time, not a hundred n.iles awav
on the eastern slopes of that sa,ne island, sea reel v "a
Hake of snow is seen durin^^ the whole sea.son The
mountan.s have stoppe.I the clou<Is, and robbe.l then,
of the.r moisture: an.l now the sa.ue wind, clea.- and
cold, sweeps ,low,i over tho.se eastern plains, chillin-
tlie very marro^v' in one's Indues. For, whil,> the
temperature never falls very far below the freezin.;

JAPAN; THE LAND OK THE MORmna

pomt, and «.l,lo,n roaches it, yet ™, account of tl,o

excessive ,k,„,,„„„,H the c is x,.n- bitter a ,1

-archin,,, alti.o,,,,, its .l,„,,ti„„ is l„,t LT

But half of the truth has .v i.een tohl. an,l that

t.e «-lo„my hal . Let oue hut visit Japan in the

autun.„, a„a ,t see.ns an enchaute,i ian.l. Th: h -
ej-on clays of bahuy air „,„| .,f „„e|„„,|„, ^{^
Matures nc. profusion of h,,r au.l How,.- an,l trui^

n at ,ts e una., the h.,r ' ty full, n.ore than

tu -pressed down shak... together and runnin.

spot And yet, blessed is the wsterner who after a
-.loun, of a fewu,ouths an.id scenes so strand!;
boaut,f„l. i,ts away honu.ward without ren,ai,7iu^

long enouKh to have th.. illusi speilcl l^y eve y!

•lay contact with the everyday weather of tlfe whole
J-n aroun.l, winch ,s anything. Ia,t ideallv l,.,autiful
Incon.pansouwith tie. elin.de of the san.e latitude
m North Anienca, tlie.v is one radical ditference

;.nmely, that ,t is n.ore oppressiv , „„„,,„ti,:;'

1 does not ar.se so nu.eh fron, (,l,e higher temperr.

tuu. as r„n> a great lack of o.,,,,e in the atmosphere
There thunder-storms are e„ uativeiv r,are. True

. .tdlencs ot tlie clouds can I'.v.pu.ntly b. heard tlmu-
denngaway: la.t down auaa,. the habitations of
men the heavy au- ,s always .so devoid of eh.etricity

as to make , ,n,p„.ssil,h. ,„,., „ „, „„t,,i„ the

robust type of manhood of which we boast on this
contiiifiit.

THE LAND,

unt of the

'itter and

, and til at

m in tlie

urinfr the

The lull-
ed skies,
and fruit
lore than

running
)d's earth
st be the
o, after a
strangely
imaining
>y every-
le whole
'•'autifnl.

latitude
lierence,
rvatinir.
enipera-
osphere.
True,
ins the
d tliun-
:ions of
ctricity
un the
on this

A chapter on " The Land of the Morning " would
be wholly incomplete were it not to contain something
more definite concerning the natural beauty of these
wonderful islands. Dull, indeed, would be the eye,
and very matter-of-fact the soul who, gazing from'
time to time upon such scenery, would utterly'f'ail to
catch the inspiration an<l to grow enthusiastic in its
praise. Although sojourning on the main island for
a term of yor-s, long enough under ordinary circum-
stances for everything to l)ecome conunon-place, yet
the speli of enchantment which Nature threw around
us there was never broken.

For upwards of three years our home was almost
under the shadow of that most strikingly beautiful of
all the Japanese mountains, Fuji San, and we must
confess that something of the love and reverence
entertained by the Japanese for this grand old land-
mark grew up in our owr hearts. This stately
mountani, situated right at the heart of tlie Empire
and in full view of the high places of the capital,
slopes gently up from the Bay of Suruga on the east
coast, untd it obtains an altitude of fourteen thousand
feet above the level of the sea. There, snow-capped
for ten months in the year, he looks far out, like a
in.ghty sentinel, over the broad Paciiic ; and, when
divested of his cloud-mantle, greets the eye of him
who paces the bridge of the incoming steamer long
before the coast-line ia disclosed to view. Indeed no
better view can be obtained than from the sea, pro-
viding wave and sky are propitious.

Once, at the sunset hour, from the deck of a coast-

japan; the land OF THE MORNIKO.

Fr(il VAMA, TKIC PKKm.ESS.

the land, a few n.iles distant, white, fleecy cloud, ih
remnants of vestPivlQ..'.. + , "^ clouds, tiie

CO.

s old cloud

>«, and so

our ship

i^onder on

THE LAND.

ids, the
ing all
own at
^'e the
of the

setting sun appeared the peerless summit of Fuji
f^an. 80 completely was it clad in rol.es of snowy
whiteness, and bathed in dazzling radiance, as to
conceal every sign of its earth-born origin, and make
It seem a thing celestial. The rich sunlight (the
painter oi all painters) rested like a benediction upon
the upper strata of clouds, and glorified them all with
those exquisite tints of crimson, purple and gold so
i-ici, so delicate as to cause one to wonder if heaven
ha, not really opened its gates and was sheddiiur
forth Its own ineffable glory upon them. Such a rare
c. .bmation of cloud and mountain and sunligiit as
this very seldom, I think, greets the eyo of mortals.
Vet the views of this peerless mountain are so truly
kaleidoscopic that no one can say lie has ever seen
tliem all or even the best of them.

Fain wouM we give rein to our own .lesire and
take the reader for a ramble in and out amoiK- those
^•erlasting hills, and even for a stiffclimb ove? them
^otlllng IS n.ore thrilling to one whose soul is
thoroughly responsive to Natures touch, than to
stand upon the summit of the active volcano, Asama
\ama Above, below, and all around the eyv has
something to fV-ast upon. Over us is the royal Canopy
of blue, and so much nearer now because we are above
the clouds. Looking out o.er ,he vast cyclorama
which here greets our visio,,, we see .vhole battalions
ot clouds moving slowly hither and thither over the
aerial plain. Still below, the serried ranks of hills
now shrunken to the seeming of furrovs in a ploughed
hold, relieve the monotony of the plain beneath, while

japan; the land of the morning.

here and there a little thread of silver marks the
course o a ,n,.hty river speeding away to the bosom
o It old lover the ocean, lyin.. out yonder black and
Mlent na the distance. 80 wonderful is the scene
that the eye Itself becomes weary of the strain and
■seeks so,nethni<. more finite and near at hand. And
here ri^.ht at our feet is a scene as unique as it is
dreadful. 1 u u-,

A vast cluism with walls of .ja^^ed rock, gloomy
and pitdess, and away below the livid pavement of
the crater, lending a weird light to the awful gloon,
iJ^on he-o and tliere, through this red-hot miss of
c.nder, we catch a glimp e of the great vent-holes
fiom winch luss forth the blue, lambent llame. Ever
and ano. a treme.Klous rund3ling is heard, and in
the twmkhng of an eye the whole scene within the
crater is changed. Now nothing can be seen save
a dense cloud of steam swayed hither and thither by
the swift air currents, chasing each ot!.er to and fro
over the face of the awful aby.ss. It is the age-long
%h between the fire and the water Reinfoiced for
another onslaught, into the den of this old tire-fiend
rushes^his tireless enemy. The battle is joined. The
roar of the awful cannonading is heard, and up rises
he storm cloud from the face of the pit. Now it has
hidden completely the fire beneath, and again, whirled
asule by the wind, it allows the light infernal to
burst forth, not only illuminating the walls of that
awful prison house, but casting a lurid radiance upon
the fringe of the mighty cloud wreaths ascending/up-
wards. In the presence of such a scene as this"^ the

THE LAND.

arks the
le bosom
lack and
»e scene
'ain and
d. And
as it is

^doomy
ment of
I ^dooni.
mass of
tit-holes
Ever

and in
liin tlie
ni save
ther by
and fro
?e-long
ced for
e-fiend
. The
p rises
■ it has
diirled
nal to
f that
; upon
igup-
s, the

physical miglit and prowess of man vanishes away,
and he feels his kinship witli the insect at his feet.

But let us down tlie mountain-side and away over
the country. See the pilgrims meet us as we descend,
everyone dressed in a coarse garment of dirty wliite'
with a great umbrella hat on his head and straw
sandals on his feet. In his right hand he grasps a
strong staff, and at his waist is a little tinkling bell.
Now tlie procession has reached the smnmit, and
around the edge of the crater it circles, while borne
to us on the breeze comes their strange chant, an
invocation to the god of that awful solitude. It is
very liard to understand and analyze the religious
conceptions of men of another race ; and yet we may
rest assured that all tliese forms of what we call
heathen worship are sure tokens of the human soul
universal crying out for and groping after C}od.

But let us turn our eyes again to the scene before

us. Yonder, down the mountain-side, and away over

the plain, runs a great black band, rough and barren.

It was here that, during the last great eruption many

years ago, the old volcano spilled itself over the plain.

And here is that mighty stream still, not running

away and vanishing like the unstable waters, but

congealed into great masses of black basaltic rock,

many of them rolled up like great snow-balls to the

height of a man. We are at the foot of the mountain

now, and having crossed this great lava bed, we strike

an immense tract of land covered with long coarse

grass, and here and there clumps of stalwart oak trees

with the mistletoe clinging to their brandies. Nor

japan; THE LAND OF THE MORNING.

i P'

scene. Aero,, t ,i w '" '«""'■»■" '""' '"■"»ty to the

*'-!'- ■ri:!:;;;3'o:^„;r:^;:"j'''r'' ""■'-•

'""Uthcl, to Ka.e at the p, aj , ' ""• ' "'' "''""-
qiiet-r costmno. loiviffnor an.l his

In .« leu- moments «•„ „,-,■ out of lU -n
crossing;, by a frail woo,I.n b -il . ?'"""■ '""'

tl- Wll we wind to tin ,aU f;-;; """^- '"™'--- "P
wlxTe the ston. f^cesoft? ! , '■'"""" *«'"!'''-'•

-lin pinet.: a i:h'::-;''v- ";^^
;:^:':t;;:^;;/""'-f---'""''':;;i;:

«"■■• the thieiciy wooldT ' :::;;:;::;r-"'" -■

benoati, „„. and a | I, L ti ',"""' ^'^ ""'"■^- ''''''
-«e„t he.,, and the ,./,,:':, """"■■'"' f°'-««.

at the foot of s„„,„ • .'"'"''"'- fonm. churned

fVonwunidst a ' ■ "" "'""""*' ^''»"-» «"

"o%iVi;ndiss;iin;;:;;a?;:,,f''™^''''>^'"™.o'..-

Soon „.e reach an opening on the hill-side, and.

THE LAND.

»y-co]oied
ity to tlie
icli under
trees, ajid
a cluuii,
•en, with
y, open-
' ■'iiid liis

'•i^''e, and
jok. Up

temple,
it on, us
ere the
1' plaint
tlie up-
' au-aiii
■'U.shinnf
■< home
)f this
iitil we
us, and

8'lade.
'3' feet
oliao-e,
urned
i.s out
.silent
I, our

and,

turnmcj around for the fi).,st time, we ga.e on the
scene throu<,di which we have just passed. Yonder
we see the old mountain upon whose sunn.iit we
have already stood, well-nio-h filling, the whole back-
Srouml. Ihero he rises very wide at the base, with
fea-eat sweei).n^. lines, irre-ular indeed, vet gradually
converf,nn^. toward the sunnnit. And >ron) out the
nH<.hty cavern rises a ^a-eat black cloud circlincr
up^^'ar,l towards hearen, and as it reaches the u,)per
strata ot a,r, sluo-.i.hi^. ,p,,,,,,, ^^self out into a
rough ebony plain which, stretchir,<. away on every
hand, gradually loses itself in the surrounding ether
This peture, of which Asama is the backgn und is
cxceedn,gly beautiful. Very rough an.l uneven' is
the land, _,t ,s true, yet everywhere it is covered
wi h uxuriant vegetation, and, wherever possible, the
industnous peasants have turned these rugged tracts
ni o veritable gardens. Indeed, there is not plain or
valley withm the i-ange of our vision that has not
Its quaint thatch-roofed villages, nestling peacefully
around the high and steep-roofed temples of Buddha
with their placid-faced images within and moanino:
pme trees without. "'

Would that we had time at our disposal to continue
our journey on to the great sanitarium, Kusatsu,
where the mineral water, impregnated with sulphur-
ous fumes, gushes out of the earth, and runs away in
a stream as large as a mill-race. Oh, what a sight here
meets our ga.e ! The best description one can give of
It IS by likening it to the ancient Pool of Bethesda
with Its hvc porches. Instead of porches, Kusatsu

JAPAN ; TOE LAV,, or THE MOIt.VI.NO.

for a ,v.„ ,„.,„; L";,::':i:;,7::;v''™ j:*

Wondorfully interestino- is this Kn«,f

One p aee ti.ere is, ,uito near the villa. ^.,i't

especially remarkable. We t-iko . lif i V

ntif ..f +1 -n ^^ '^ ^'"^tle toot-path

out ot the villa^re and Mend our way to tlie 1 1.

above, and then alon,- the hi,.hhuHl,s It the as "

tlie mountains, until we hi.-n ., i i •

ovev the brokon ..ocky „™ t l"""" '°. "1^""'

^C J.1 -.^ "^ H^^*^"!'! to tlie summit of nnn

of I,o,„. Not very ,Iiffi<..„,t to the stunl oM, ,bcr
« tl,e ascent an.l one i. well repaid for l,„ "t..

.cone. Vast masses of rock lie scattered around
n utter abandon, j„st „s if some omnipotent b nd
>ad plnckea np one of tbese everlasti, ,/ , ,' , j'
l.en bnrled u down again at the base o? one of 3
ock-,.,bbed fellows. And yet tbe tall pine tLs M

Ib't'Ii^"""" /""'■• ■■'""^ ">'• entwinin7t;
.bout the rocks, and then lowering their tiny^wa "

THE LAND.

buckets into the wells far ben.ntl.. But even tlieso
mr, y forest ^nants have pai.l the penalty of their
har.hhoo,| . I., now all alon.. the side of the n.ountain
they are wlnte in death. Lon.. ago the fiery breath
o old Mnrane San. ui one of hin terrible outbursts
of passum, choked the life out of then, and then
wind and sun .Gradually wove for each one a shroud
ot Aveather-worn whitene.ss.

Still up we go, and soon reach the first crater of the
fanious old volcano. This one is now so shallow and
dry that we enter and cro.ss it, and then another little
chmb bnngs us to the e.lo-e of the nc^.xt. This second
crater we cannot cro.ss, because it is filled with hot
water, fmni which a cloud of steam is constantly
rising. However, we skirt around it to the opposite
SHle and begin our climb again, which this time is
<in.te a steep one. Soon we reach a narrow led<.e of
rock, an.l cn-.r it we peer into the chasm beneath.
And vvel i-n,gh hellish is the scene ! The same rocky
walls, Ull and precipitous, and at their base, if not a
Jake of fire and brimstone, still a lakc> of linuid
.sulphur, and that boding like a great caldron No
wonder the Japanese, with such .scenes as these dotted
up and down their country, are at no loss to throw
upon canvas an Inferno which would correspond to
tlie most exacting plans and specifications

But we have lingere.l too long amid this wilderness
ot mountains, and must now hasten away to the .«ea-
coast, to the marts of commerce, and to the throncnno-
highways witli their succession of cities, and towns
and villages, wh.re we can catch a glimpse of the

JAPAN; THE LAND

"!■ TIIK MOBNINCi.

iliiil.y lilV„r (I, is hiti'ivsti,,.- i„.„„i„ nr ,.

,,,,,„, ..;„;,. I. I ,. , " I" "I"" "I course, we

■mi»t iMt l„k.v„, l,„. |„. „!,„ |,„, T„kvocan

■-arc. y „,.,■ timt h,. Ik. vi.sitcl .,,.,„„, H,n ,U|™"

Tokyo, compared with ,,1,1 J,„|„.,i,l K ,.,., . , !,
^"ch as Osaka a„.l Kunun„„ 1 '*:.,," '"•■■^'
a.o the site of the city proper „.„ tt e trVh i

,: '■■"v„,t"j '.'^ "'• ;:'^'" f '""' «'™' "™ " '^''"

■st.i Vc.Uo J,ay, rioht wl,ere the Suniida RivPr

back ,y, h „.e, »t,ll jjreet the eye of the visitor ™J

iiie 01,1 cast e has ]„„f,„,„ce vanislied, hut instead the
Wenal palace sits there „p„„ its hi,,, .JCi

a.>etrpi„ftrer:,,r": ™"; ^"'" "^ -°™ °f

„:i -fi 1^ . ' " '"O"' '^O'lie forty vards

«-de w,th forfHed gates and bridges. Beyond ll
again ,s a strip of land about a .marter of !
-de,an,l then another wall and an h r .ol W
over the ancient Iri.lges. and through the g^lt p^.^^^

... B

M t

japan; the land of the MOUNING.

wliose gates have not been closed for forty yeans

tlie eonuuon life of the great city throngs^ M-here'

once only the foot of the warrior ^ya. wont to tread

Uutside tins again is another strip of land, another

wall an(l another moat. Very picturesque are these

old fortihcations, with the gnarled pine trees all

around the walls, the branches of some of which have

grown downward until they kiss the murky waters
u6n.ticitii.

Within tliis immense fortress, in the ancient days
dwelt that old cliieftain, the first of the feudal lords'
and hither he sunnnone.l all the clans of the Empire'
to camp with him six months in the year; so that
lokyo was then nothing more than a military camp
with Its attendant menials. But all this has passed
away. u^e outer moat is now thronged with
hun.lreds of freight-laden boats, and out from it ^o
a network of waterways, teeming with busy hfe.
Withm the walls the scene is becoming very modern
on account of the presence of tlie electric light and
the erection of many great red brick government
buildnigs entirely after the foreign fashion. The city
has now grown miles and miles out beyond these
fortihcations in every direction, and is a perfect net-
work of little narrow streets, running at all angles
and in all directions. The houses are generally low
and squatty, and compared with those of our American
oties, are unsightly and mean in the extreme.

Here in Tokyo the extremes of ancient and modern
meet continually. Tlie modern street car and the
coach and pair pass hundreds of jinr kishas and

THE LAND.

iit-e.l nan invproucluil.Je suit of fo.vi-n H„tl„ '
ostlos lus brother Japanese with curious v
lK.aa, wooden cloo-s an, Ion.- ulnol^^ 7'"'
ehnr.j stands ovephe w^Vo:r^^^
and tlie forei«-n house and stor«. lift thoiv 1 '
P-ud,,a).ove their humble JapaJ'L^^^

-^Hh^ul c,ty is this, with its crowds ,^- st^den^
and ofhc.als, jn-iests an<I sohh-er.s. Merchants U
every province thron, its n.arts, and, H ^ ^ Z
human heart, at everv throb it sends forth . n
takes in that which k or shantt^r^,:^'''":
stren<.tJi of the whole nation. '^"''

ofnrP^°'-'''''^''o^'^''^^^''^^^°»^^^''i"^of the life
of the Provinces. So mountainous is the co,„.trv^ • .

-th.a so ancient is the civilisation, that r';':
expect, nor can we find, tlie r,.o,d-u'itv .vl.; i

terizes the lay of the hnd h X ' ''"''""''"

world nf America, hi this n.^w

the great chains of mountains u-l.; i ^.''""^'•>' ^'"»

«wd the .„,,. of «,, :: ;:;;2^^

3oa eoa.,t and ah,,,, tl... count,,- into tw T .;",
b.ancho,..ke the tributaries of a, -ivcw",,;:"';

li ii

ii I

JAPAN; THE LAND OF 'lUE MOHNIXG.

but these n..verg-o very far or U,u\ (c, phuvs of any
great iiapoi-tauce. Another great roa.l there is on
the mam island, windino- i„an(l ..u( nnionn- the nioun-
tiuns, no.ht up tlirougl, the ecntr.. of th.> eonntrv
Consistent Avith the ^r,M„.ral eharacf.T of thr eountr'v
these roads are ve.y narrow an.l vrvy erook,,l The

narrowness we ean undcrstan. aecount of the

scarcity of huid-that is. arable land -in a densely
populate.l country. But tl... erookrdn.ss of the road
oyer a long stretch of con.paratlNvlv Irvrl country'
can only be accounted lV)r on th.- th.-oiT that centuries
ago, when the road was being eonstrueted, it was at
first merely a rougli trail, following thr line of easiest
resistance oyer a rou^'h and d.^solat." moor, and that
liaymcr ^-otten into that shap,. it uvyry could be
straightened. Another sugovstion iluMv is namely
that the owners of the lan.j eont.Midrd with each'
other as to whoshould not hav.- thr road on his land:
and thus it was pushed hither and thither as an
imposition upon him who was worste.l in the sti-ugo-h.
Be that as it may, some hands, now Jono- retunu'rto
the dust, .lid a kindly act when, in places witlumt
number, along these great tli,...n.n.hrar,.s th..y planted
pine trees, which have lon^. since o^own up' straight
and tall and now overarch th.,' road, so that if we yiew
it from a hill-top near by it looks likr a great black
serpent winding its endless l.-noth up and .lown the
country.

Now, it is on any .,n." of th.'s,. roads that we see
Japanese life ami mann.'rs in all their native sim-
plicity. Very different is the scne fr.)m that which

THE'lAxVD.

'fj

Mu.i^t.s aio n-0(|ueiit V iii s (rl.f if ,„^ ^ i .
over the e.,u„t,'y, ^ i„ t ^ sp,- , , „t H I f

: /'"""'' '»•-"-- tiM. the water i»™

one a„ove th. oti.e... a. ,„,„ ,., the <:ii i„ X, ^

a p<«,l„hty. and beyond, the n,„ibe,.ry'',^.oves o
the tea pkntations a.lorn the l,;„u i
distance If we look ,HM f , '"«'''""''» »■ H'e

It is very interestiiur to w;.tfli f)>» <•

wo,.k-, in the.se little w:ter.eo; d fe h r'"T;; "' ''"

strikiixr thinr. v,\;ki • ^"'^^eci helds. 1 he most
" ""« '"'^^'^' "^ connection with him is his

iii

JAPAN; THE LAND OF THE MORNING.

grept flat muljrella hat. Under the hat there is a
little, thick-set fellow, or just as often it is a Avoman,
round-faced and ruddy. Here he is with bare leers'
and arms pud(llin<r in the mud, ..•ettin<r it in proper
condition for the phuding- of the rice. Already over
yonder, in a corner of the field, he has sown a little
patch, and already the tender blades have sprun^^ up
and laid a thick green carpet over the murky surface.
When he gets the ground ready, he will then pull up
the tender plants and distriljute them over these small
stretclif^s of water, an.l each s.piare will appear all
dotted over Axith little tufts of green, which relieve
the (aiiet monotony of the glassy surfaces. If we
come back again In the coui-se of a few weeks, these
tufts will have grown so tall as almost to hide the
water, and. m,"kc h look like silver threads among the
nodding and swaying blades of the coming harvest.
In a little while the water will be completely hidden,
md even the ridges will disajipear from view, and as
far as the siglit can reach will be one waving field of
living green, which in harvest time will reflect the
rich gold of the sunshine.

Curious also are the types of men we meet along
the thoroughfares. No lonely country roads are
these, where only a single man, or two at the most,
may be met every half-mile. Here all day long the
people form an almost unbr .ken procession, so" that
we have a good opportunity of studying humanity.
Of course the farmer is on the road as well as in the
field. Seldom have we seen one with both a liorse
and a waggon. If he has a horse he doesn't ride it.

THE LAX a

l ■

He put, a load on ti.e l.orees back-as .nucli a, it
c,m can-y-a„a ti.en a load on hi„ own back "p.-o-
port.onately as hoavy a., the horse has, an.l, com-
pan.ons ,„ t„d, together they fudge along to n.arket.
it he has only a waggon, he load.s it up, hitches up
.... w.teo„ one side an,l hin.self on the' other, while
he eh, dren push behind, and so the n.erchandisc is
taken to n.arket. Nor is this an unusual sight

scoes of these re.ghtdadcn, n,an-propelled carts
tollow each other in a snail-like procession.

Iravel by man-power is, of course, universal. The
J.nnkisha, i., man-power wheel, with its lithe, active
runner, .s ub,,,uit„„s. It is really ,«toni»hing how
fas and how far these little fellows can draw a u,an
and Ins luggage, although they be of twice his owl
weight. One can start out in the monnng, and if
the road ,s an average one, be sure of n.aking fi've
.n.les an hour all day long, including .stoppages for
rest, and an hour for the noonday meal, 'u^ our-
selves have been drawn forty-live miles by one man
wthout chan.^, and the journey was easily mad t"

at the thought of bemg drawn by a man and deem
.t very cruel. Yes, but how are these teeu ing ma e"
of hunmn.ty, crowded together in such a snfalH a
to keep the breath of life within then,, e«ep ey
approxnnate more nearly to the level of the brute
and work as he does. We we.sterners can fo.™ ve '
httle conception of the terrible struggle for a very

S oU^ '"' H " ""°" '^ «°"'« °"^" "- ""«"-*
parts 01 the earth.

■

r ■
i

JAPAN ; THE LAND OF THE MORNING

Other types of huiiiauity there are which are
also mtere.stiiio- to the eye of tlie stran^rer. The
country is alive with itinerant merchants, who are
to be seen at any time (lo.l<,nn<r through the streets at
a dog-trot, with a supj^le, springy stick across the
shoulders, from whicli a basket is suspended at either
end. In one of these baskets, it may be, there is a
little chest of drawers full of " notions," and on the
other, bales of cloth. If he has only one commodity
and cannot divide it, he puts a large stone in the
other basket to balance it over the shoulder. The
Buddhist priest, too, is a constant fellow-traveller
Here he comes with his round, fat, oily olive face and
shaven head, clothed in long, filmy, flowing robes
and the regalia of his or.ler suspended around his
neck, and behind him follows the little acolyte carry-
ing his umbrella. It nnist be confessed, however, that
ordmardy his Reverence does not savor very much
of either sanctity or spirituality.

Waifs and strays tliere are drifting along continu-
ally. The flotsam and jetsam of sugh a turbulent sea
of humanity must, of necessity, be very great All
ranks and conditions of the great beggar fraternity
from the mendicant priest with his shabby apolocry
for clerical robes and shrine and bell, to the maimed
and halt, w.dl-nigh destitute even of rags, are familiar
sights. But even more pitiful to behold are the oreat
numbers of blind people feeling their way along the
street with a slender Immboo rod, and fillino- the air
with the discordant notes of their ineTancholy
wnistles. We do not know the reason why so many

THE LAND.

people become blind except it is the senseless way in
which the babies are carried about. No matter
where you ^^o through the streets and encounter a
group of children, you will tin,] a majority of then,
with infants on their backs, many of them with their
heads thrown back and their little infant eyes lookin.r
right up at the sun. Snch a careless practice as this
cannot help but have some such result as weak eyes
and blindness.

But who can adecjuately describe the many-sided
and many-colored life of this interestin<r people?
After all one can say or write, it is like brinc,nn<. our
friends a few twigs with wilted leaves and .son.e little
flowers already drooping, an<l telling them that this
IS the beautiful wildwood we saw to-dav. Still such
hints as even these may fit in with pictures which
others have presented, and be of some little value in
bringing the far-off near, and in helping someone to
realize what he sees not with these human eyes

IH-

■ f^

I'Ji

CHAPTER II.

MYTH AND TRADITION.

Where did the Japanese come from, and what is the
racial stock of wliicli tliey are tlie branch ? These
are (luestions often asked by those wlio take some-
thin^r more tlian a passing interest in tlie people of
this Sunrise Kin^nlom. The ancient mythologies of
Japan, beautiful in their rare conceptions and exceed-
ingly gorgeous in their brilliant imagery, o-ive us the
first answer. They tell us that in the beginning all was
chaos. The heavens and the earth were not separated
as they are now, and the earth floated in the water
like a fish or like the yolk of an egg. Gradually the
ethereal portion was lifted up and forineu the blue
heavens, which canopied the earth, and that which
remained became our globe. Still the heavens and
the earth were not at first far apart, but so near as
to preset no obstacle in passing from the one to the
other.

In the heavens a strange succession of gods dwelt,
of whom nothing is known except their names, until
something of a more human element was introduced
among them somehow and from somewhere. Then
we see the first pair of those strange god-men spirits
emerging from the gate of heaven and standing there
on the strange ethereal bridge that spanned the nar-
row chasm between. Intent are they on the scene

MYTH AND TRADITIO.V.

bcneatl,, f„,. tl„.y ,nu«t „„«- tread a path as yot ,„-

. rk ami rcstl™,, „«„, waste. Downward they look

».t not a spot of solid ground appea,. for thdr foot

o rest upon. Tla-n I.ana.d, tho u.ale spirit, took Z

.icwollcd .spea. and thrust it downward i!,to the waves

tZ '• "'" ''''■•■'"•'"S '' "l>"a,ds, shook the ,Irop

f -om , , a,„l through tl„ ..ie iuHueuceof the spei

those ch-op, concealed as they fell. „„,, settliujc them

tcl:;.,:; V;" '"" '"""'"'■ *'"""''■ ocean J,ecau,e
o 1 1, H '"'", "f "=""-"" tl'o other countries
on the earth wre al.so forn.ed under the auspiees of
te heavenly g„ds by the spo„t„n..o„s eon.soiVlatio,
the foam and ot the sea; but ti.ey were formed
tc . and I.auag, an.l hi.s partner l.a.l n„tld„« to do

;,"" '"=»'■ P'-fseutly. born i„ then, : ami so, of course
hey are declclly inferior to thi., h^.^t-c cated ".d
supremely sacreil laud.

the nudst ot the waste of waters, they descen.led It
^;- but a su,al| island, this Island of Aw^i which
y cho.,e as their first hon,e. From the deck o
tho vessel approaching Kobe from Yokohan.a, its
low diore an,l sloping hills are seen ou the left hand
Tie first tlnng they did was to make a circuit of
the island she going one way and he the other On

■neeting however, the woman committed a very
senous breach of oriental etiquette in speaking Hrsf
Wh n she met her .spouse, she e..elaimed, " Oh, hovv
lovely to meet such a, beautiful man : " This so dis-

JAPAN; THE LAND OF THE MOUNIN(;.

In 1

! m

: '(

p cased l/.ina-i,tluit he ordered aunth.v circuit oi the
island : an.l, on meeting, the s.^cond tin.e, he vva.s very
careful that the woman should not uvt the start oV
him, an.l exclainied.justas she appeared, " How joyful
to meet such a lovely won.an ! " Thus the proper
onler of thino-s was established and they went to
houseKoe]>ino-.

The ti.-st-l,o.'n to this youn^r couple was an <'xceed-
in- d.sapponitn.ent, such as can only be appreciated
by a]i Asiatic, by beinc. a o-irl instead of a boy. But
there was so much of ra.b'ance in her countenance
and such a halo of o-lory al,out her head, that she
tilled the whole world with lio-ht, and was conse-
<jnently sent by her parents to th.' heavens to rule
over the day. The second chiM was also a ^nrl. and,
althou-h hke her sister, Amaterasu, the Sun-^-oddess
she came unwished for and unwelcome.!, to her also
was pven the blessed compensation of Imw a lio-ht
bearer: so that she, too, as the Moon-god.krss, foun.l
her way to heaven to share the empire of her sister

The third was a boy, an.l that is all that can l",e
said in his favor. A poor little helpless cripple they
watclie'i over him for three years, but all their tender
care and lovmo- solicitude were of no avail. He never
walked, and so they ma.le him a little ark of camphor
wood, and sent him forth upon the waste of waters to
become ^rod of the seas and of the storms. The fourth
was the pride and joy of their liearts-a beautiful
boy, stron^r and healthy. And yet, like many other
parents, they made him a curse rather than a bless-
ing. They let him have his own way, until at last he

MVTH AND TRADITION-. 4-

' /' luai.l,. iittlr ,l,.„i()n, Mil. .'ansr.I ,n..m
'." ^"-'tl'"- lli.'V -av,. Inn, thr nainc of

"z"" •■"" '•■ '"■■" ""■ «-i "f ti„. ,,.,,„ ,,,::

H. t.„.,..,, .,„t I ,,„,,.,, ,„ ,„, „ ,„,,^, ^

hoi,.,„ ,,„ ii„« „,. ,,„„,,i,, t,v...s ,„„i f,„„ ,i„ ,:

t .on. h,0,k hut i,H<,.,.t l,i„ .,,,, ki,,„,,,,,,, ,, r,,,

W,,, a,,, en,.,, ,.„„.„,,. .,,, ,,„^,,„. ,,. , ^'^^ ,^ .
™', '' ' •-■ '«■""■ llie Im.1.1 h«,„,„.„ ,k.s,.rt rivei-s

™'' "'"■"'''■"■■' "!'• I mi.,.in.s,, i,, :,;

minihiTs lis rid,,.,. ;. ■ • ; k"M

M" ,■ l-ha.„„-. ,v„s t„l,l tl,,,t h,. ,v„„t,.,I t„ ,.0 t., his

.n tho ,„.,]„,■ ,„„., of the oarth. ,S,«„ ,„„ „.„s o,^'

;i;;:,''-'- '"'"'" '-"'"-f ''"■ -'''--v,i„,,.s ,,,,,, ,71

ston>r^; " '"" T'""''''' "'""'■''■ 'I" "-- f""t-tic
taol< ,n those ,.„..„• ,h,y.,„„,l „„,,e, ,,„• ea.,ter„ sk io:'

ny.t ,„u| ot s,H.,hK..ss, over striving to hl(.ss „,en •
wlule on the oth,.r hand wo have"thi„ evil s ■ '
.S.m„o„, the ruler of the ki„..l„,„ of ni.ht Xt

the b.tter eonHict between these tw-o great power, of
goo,J an.1 ev,l. If wo follow the sW fuAh"; thh
becomes abundantly evident.

^1:

: Jii

m I

4(j

./APAX; TIIK LAND OF THE MOIIMNO.

IMI!

Alter l.,.in- nia.l.. nil..,- .,f the netlirr iv^rion.s
So,saii,)(3 c(,ntinur,| his uneaniiy n.iHluct, un.r.s,,,,,,'
came mt.) (.pni cuiidict with l.Ls sister, (lir Su.i-<r,„Me,ss
One .lay she planted a ilvhl of rice, an.l he'tn.ne.I
a wiM horse l(,„s.. into it, which traniple<l it all
•low.i and spoiled her work. ()„ another <.ccasion
she lault a storehouse lor rice, and this wicked
brother of hors defiled it so that it could not l.o us.mI
Once luore, tJH' Sun-rrod.Iess was sittino- at her loom
weavin<r, when Sosaiuxi, snatchin^r the hid,. iVoni a
live horse, threw it reekin^^ over the loom, and
bnndled the unsi<r},tly cairase into tlie room. This so
Fn^d.tened Amaterasu that she pierced her hand with
the shuttl..,and in a .Ireadful ra-e lle.l away into a cave
and closed the entrance with a lar^^e rock so ti-htly
that not a ray of lioht could eseaj.e. Then the trouble
began. Heaven and earth were tilled with darkness
and there was no longe.- any distinction between day
and night, and nundjerless inii)s swarmed i'orth mak-
ing night Jiideous with their unearthly bu;c;^ing.
Pandemonium reigned suj)reme.

At length, the eight hundred thousand g(jds that
dwelt m the kingdom of the Sun-goddess met to<a>th"r
on the heavenly river plain of Vasu to devise a means
of appeasing the wrath of their (lueen. A committee
of the wisest of the gods was appointed to draft a
scheme, with the following result. They advis-d
them to make first of all a brilliant nn'rror. Old
Vulcan, therefore, was set to nork, and a very hard
time of it he had in making one to please his patrons
Three times he tried {^nd twice he failed before ]n^

i m\\A

mmvUSS wiru SAMISBX AXD

KOTO,

MYTH AND TRADITION. 49

obtained one of the requisite size and beauty. Then
the heavenly artisans were set to work to prepare
the hnest clothing and jewelry, and also to build a
gorgeous palace.

When these preparations were at last conipl ed
the gods prepared for a great festival to be held at
the door of the cave. A large number of constantly
crowing cocks were obtained from the region of per-
petual day, to make the god<less believe that a new
day had dawned. These were brought to tlie mouth
ot tiie cave, and began to crow lustily. Then a <.-od
dess of beautiful countenance, called Usume was
appomted to lead the dance. Musical instruments
were mvented, especially the far-famed Koto, and a
great multitude of singers and dancers assend.led
and the mirth began. To the music of the instru-
ments Lsume sang a song. It was of a beautiful
maiden whose face was full of radiance, and who
hlled the world with light and gladness. Of her
Usume sang and praised her charms in the most fiat-
tering language. Then the dance began, and Usume.
hlled with a spirit of folly, danced as she had never
danced before, and M^on most immoderate applause
from the whole assembly of the gods

Within the cave of the Sun-goddess, of course, all
was hgh and warmth. Two spirits, however, had
entered all unseen, and through the influence of these
the stone at the mouth of the cave was coon to be
rolled away The one was Curiosity and the other
Jealousy. While the coy Sun-goddess heard without
only groans and lamentation because of the terrible

if i|

If.

japan; the land ok the morning.

darkness, content was she to ren.uin in her cave .nrl
exult over the punish„<ent sho was uJuTo7L2
wayward spirits of the earth. ll„t, hen hT r i

so much merriment amon.. th<> inhabit nf. T I

crlnr^m CI , " ""'.IDltantS ot SUch

then sincrinc.. and her curiosU 1 '' '''^'

Already t!.e beautiful u,irr„r J„ul been p„,hecl in
front of tbe opening, and the «<,.l „f Invincible Stron"
Hands was crouching inco„ceain.,.nt behincl tl,e ."c ,
The 8un-g„ddess, seeing tl,e boautiM n.ai.lrirtt

ontaudhelditopel'T/^dllu^i^r!:.^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
first opportun,ty. he grasped th,r two hands of t t
goddess and drew her forth 'I'l, . "f *''*

elde.. then took a ™, e o ■ tw 1 ^^ °' ""

i? i , . i^pt^ or twisted rico str-ivir o,,^

fastened ,t behind her, so that she co„ d not I, f
agani into her cave Wlien thi. l *'

Gf.

' cave and
out to the
le festival
gladness,
she won-

and the
could be

of such
! listened
ime was
3ng that
i and to
■ replied
was an
^I'asu in

shed in

Stronnr
le rock.

in the
pen the
id hold

of the
of the

of the
w and
I'etreat
iccom-
cc and
y just

They

MYTH AND TRADITION. 51

then put a guard of straw rope around the palace, so
that the devils might not enter there. Her wicked
brotlier Sosanoci was punished by having each par-
ticular hair of his head pulled out and his finger and
toe nails extracted. From that time to this there has
been no cessation in the reign of the Sun-goddess nor
ot her benign influence over both the heavens and
the earth.

Izanami's fifth child was a son. cdled the god of
\^'ild Fire. At his birth tb. , , kless experienced
extreme agony, and from . , .aatter which she
vomited at the time sprang the god and goddess of
Metal. I hey afterwards created the gods of Fresh
Water and of Clay, who were to pacify the god of Fire
wlien he was inclined to be too turbulent.

Another of these legends must suffice. Already we
have seen hoM, out of the very calamity which befell
the earth, came all the arts of civilization; and now
we shall see how all the diff-erent varieties of food
p ants came to exist. The Sun-goddess spoke to the
Moon-goddess,* who reigned jointly with her in the
heavens, and said: "I have heard that there is a food-
possessing g-oddess in the central country of luxuriant
reedy moor. (Japan). Go and see." At the com-
mand of her sister, the Moon-gocfiess descended from
heaven and eventually arrived at the glorious palace
ot the goddess of Food, where she sought for rest
an^eshineiit. Qdckly created various

* Here there seems to be a good deal of "^"^^l^ii^^T^iiT^

IIT I h''^"*'"^ 'r -"^^^^ -"--"ed it i„ a mannl. ^^
seems to be the most plausible.

11;

IIP

japan; the land (.' THE MORNING.

kirKls of food, such as boiled rice from the land fish
from ,e sea. and the flesh of various kinds of b;a^s
fion. the hills, and spread the feast before her fastidi-

hlli^rf l''^' ''" ^"^'"" ^""''^^^ ^" -paid the
hasp ta ty by beconnng enracred at the ninner in

^^hlch the feast was prepared, and kiHed the Food-
goddess.

heaven, and the Sun-go<Uless, angered at snel, cruelty
on the part of her mstcr, degraded her from joint rule
and eo„de„,ned her to appear only at nigh, w ,
sl.e, the Sun-goddess, .slept. Then she sent a mes-
senger to a.scertain whetlier tlie Food-goddes., were
really dead, whiel> was found to be ofly too Ze
Now however, a very .strange phenomenon appeared
to the astomshed on-looker. The Food-god,le.4 had
become m,ght,er in her death than in her lite; her
forehead once so smooth and fair, had broken out
into a httle cropof millet, while along the eyebrows
a fr.nge of ,„„lberry trees, with sTlk-worms ™
growmg. Her ey»s had turned to little meadows o
grass and on her boson,, all laid out. was a lar^e
plantation of nee and barley and bean.,. At last !,«■
head changed mto a eow and a hor.se, .and the n.es-

them to h,s nnstress. At this there was great reioic-
.ng m heaven, and the beautiful Qneen of Day

bemg.- The nee wa.s appointed to the watery fields
the n,ulberry trees were planted on the fragrant hills
and tlie rearing of silk-worms began. Tlfe goddess

1 1' \%

land, fish
of beasts
r fastidi-
paid the
anner in
lie Food-

)s way to
1 cruelty
oint rule
it, while
a mes-
ss were
30 true,
ppeared
3SS had
f e ; her
:en out
ebrows
IS, Avas
lows of
I large
Lst her
e mes-
sented
rejoic-
Day
luman
fields,
i hills,
ddess,

MYTH AND TRADITION.

t 1

taking two cocoons in her mouth, chewed them and
began the spinning of tln-ead, and from this the arts
ot agriculture and of the production of silk had their
beginning.

Our story now must needs follow the fate of that
queer fellow Sosanoo. Strange, indeed, was his career ;
lie IS sai.l to have been an amorous fellow who wrote
poetry and married a great many wives. The most
Illustrious of his of?;spring was the ^amous old
J)aikoku bama, the god of Fortune. No more
tamiliar image is there in Japan than that of the fat
jolly little imp sitting on two great bags of rice, with'
a luige money-bag on his back and a mallet in his
hand. No god more popular and none worshipped
more devotedly than he in all lands.

While he was in banishment, probably for his
treatment of liis sister, the Sun-goddess, a huge
dragon had come forth and devastated the land, and
had ea en up all the fair virgins. As soon as released
from banishment, Sosanoo assumes the role of
avenger. He entices the monster to partake of
intoxicating li.juors, which he sets before him in
eight jar,s, and, when the dragon is thoroughly
stupehed he slays him. Then he finds in his tail a
wonderful sword called " cloud-cluster." which proved
to be one of unusually fine temper. This sword
afterwards became one of the three sacred insignia of
Japanese royalty.

Up to this period in the mythologies of Japan,

he heavens and the earth have been very iea;

together and but one kingdom. But now a change

!!. a

I'!) >

J I. 'II

£4

japan; the land of the mornino.

Ill •

Z, !"": '^''■'•"''y *''" «'l>ol<= ■■calm, above and

below ,s throngci by the fa.,t ,a„ltipl •!„„ ,!;,;";'

and, wl„ e nothing is said concerning tie ctnd™ of

ho.e who perpetually dwelt in the^a^aven, abo.e

roohr'w::a:!rrr'':''''^'"'-^'^

reaches he oar. of the .Sun-godde.s. and ,sl , c ;

so that order may be established and the land
subdued and developed.
The Sun-goddess, therefore, resolved to n,ake one

I wonTl V'T"'' "■'"'■ °™'- "- '--Walworld
It V ould be .rcsonu. to tell how a .son had been

created iron, her necklace, and how he n.arrie, Id"
eous,n another grandchild of the fan.ous pri .«
pan-, I.„nag, and I.anann, and how this yo .^^
couple gave birth to a son called Ninigi-no.Mi|.2
rb,s gran son of the sun was appoi„ted°flrst rui; o^-
th U„d„fJ,p,„ by his grandn.other, and W..S s.nt
down hom heaven to dwell in an 1 subdue his kin.,
don,. When the Sun-goddess sent her gra.'l o^
down to the earth she gave bin, various t'easu e
»e of winch was the mirror, the end.len, of her own'
soul, the famous swor.1, " cloud-cluster," taken from
he dragons tail by ,So.sano«, and a crystal spLre
In g.vn,g lum her charge concerning these ins !n a
she spoke on this wise: " For Venturis C
centunes shall thy followers rule this kingdom
Herewith receive from n,e the succession anS the
three crown talismans. .Should 3.0U at any future

^f
A

MYTH AND TRADITION.

bove and
? spirits;
induct of
ns above,
ot going
fions and
3ort that
3 decides
be made,
he land

ake one
I world,
id l)een
ried his
rinieval

young
Mikoto.
'uler of
as sent
3 kiniT-
cindson
asures,
iv own
I from
iphere.
^ignia,

upon
gdom.
d the
"utiire

time desire to see mo, look into this mirror. Govern
this country with the pure ra.liance wliich radiates
from Its surface. Deal with thy subjects with tlie
gentleness which th. smooth rounding of the stone
typifies. CWibat the enemies of thy kingdom with
the sword, and slay them with the edge of it."

or the four great main islands, to Kiushiu, the
most southerly, was given the unparalleled honor
of being the lan.l first visited by this heavenly
emperor, Ninigi-no-Mikoto ; and, among the moun-
tanis of Kiu.shiu, Kirishiyama was set apart for the
histmg fame of being the grand portal through which
he entered. The Sun-goddess, ere she sent her
grandson forth, surrounded him with a kingly retinue
of gods of inferior raidv, so that with all the dignity
and glory of an emperor from above, he inight
assume his authority on the earth.

Thus equipped, Ninigi-no-Mikoto crossed the float-
ing bridge of heaven, upon which long ago his grand-
parents, Izanagi and Izanami, had stood at the
separation of the land from the water, and in royal
procession reached the place already designated.
After this descent of the first emperor from heaven to
the earth, the sun and the earth, which had gradually
drawn away from each other, became entirely
separated, and all intercourse across the floating
bridge of heaven ceased. The two kingdoms became
distinct, and from henceforth the mundane kino-dom
of Japan must, like the growing child, learn to walk
alone and rely upon its own resources.

It would not be at all strange if, long before this

ilifJ

j I'

Pi^

JAPAN; THE LAND OF THE MORNING.

Natura;, i„,ee,l, u™U V «^ h ;">o.... thorn to-day.
easy tlw answ, ,■ v 'I'lestion, and very

witli the 2u f o7 r '°"";;' '"™"^' '" -"'»«'
name of t ,e F ™ytl,olo.ne». The very

•"lie or tlie tiiipire is s irnifieTr.t Ti. t

often say to the foreigner W,T' , '^'""""'

country Japan > U f „'„. ^^''^ ''°,>'°'' ""» ™'-
This " iVilK, , .. i, , : "°' J"l'""' 't « Nihon."

■• Niho„°» mean ;„ L "■ '"'""""« ■^°'"™ ^ ^ "'"t
fore is theT ■ i;'" "'' "'"™''- Jopan. there-
thatsomewle 'irtr hT i"^' '""''""' ^™ «"''
the sunrise 'IT T ^"""" ''" "'« '>o.ne of

»yfho,o;:s: .-Ltra tl ;r:;:s""-""f , "^ °"'

it3 origin. If one u„ ",,'"' *'"""*''°''''«*'^. for
Japan^there IZ iru;^^^^ .'^^■"."""-i «". of
proof of the same strange iZ V "" ?' ■'"^'""
flag, and yet very elonueni . i ^f ^ '^""P'" i'' ««

white field uS on -n ;r ""'"'■"' ^'"' "P™ "
people, an e..eeer. y\l l":^'-^-''^^, «« »' ">e

Should the tmvellcrr arisHrith 7'"T r*'" "''"'^■
set out on hi., ionrnev ii fn V, *'^'''™* ^"'^

out the easternZZnt V rr " """'"^ '™'"
along the road, the oo":;': e UafLTL^'""' ""
pleted their simnlo f^;i , ^''^"P^^' ^ttei having com-

hands and bow3 fo,°f L"™r""^ °'*^P"« '"-■
owing toi a moment m inaudible prayer

MYTH AND TRADITION.

before tlieir great progenitor, Ainaterasu. the Sun-
goddess.

Very cliildish an<l mistaken is tliis ru.le faith, you
say. Yos, but does it not come to us as still anotlier
voice m the almost universal testimony of the chil-
dren of men, that man claims not kinship with the
earth, nor with tiie plant liC, nor with the bea.sts
tJiat perish, but says, although with but the fVeble
voice of myth and legend, "I am from above"?
iruly, " Ihere is a spirit in man, and the inspiration
ot the Almighty giveth it understanding."

Striking, too, is the relation between'these ancient
mythologies and the native religion of the Japanese,
Shmtoism. I ravel what road we may in Japan, we
will soon come to a curious-looking, portal-like
structure, consisting of two wooden or stone columns
one on either side of a narrow roa<lway. Hi<rh
above the hea,l of the passer-by, a small-sized be^m
IS mor ised into and joins these two columns not far
from the top, and over the tops of these is placed a
simple roof-like structure, which adds grace and
symmetry to the whole. This is called a torli, or
bird-rest. Should this be at the foot of a hill, there
will be a flight of stone steps running from it to the
summit; or, if on the level, except the shrine beyond
IS a very poor one, indeed the pathway beneath this
bird-rest gateway will be paved with hewn stone
But very often all this is very disappointin.. We
note the torii beautifully ma.le, and the long fltdit of
stone steps or the carefully laid pavement of labori-
ously fashioned stones, and we arc led to think tliat

'p ii

! j.

% J.

MYTH ANT) TRADITION.

he te.npl. struc-ture .nust 1>. a v.ry bountiful atlhir;
but when we n.u-h it. in ni.ie cases ,>„t of ten, it will

H'H connnon ,>i,| weather-lnsaten huildin.. not worth
': f '^« ""u . as the stone walk whieh leads to it,

s. /"'.T' ■"' '■' '' '•'"""' ^^'•""'"» ■'Structure,
Muu,un.|e.ll.y a curiously slopinc. tile rooF with very

\'r'f "ve.-han^in^r <"aves. The building, is lift,;i

n^irlMm posts, and a l.r<,ad flio-ht of stairs runs up to
tlH> iron , wh.le encirclin,- it is a narrow passa.^e- vay
overshadowed by th,. c.ues alxn-e. .h.st before the

lai'l ol the o-o,ls tlH. people pay first an<l then pray
atterwai-ds. ^ ^

Tnto a .irreat majority of these shrines it is
nnposs.ble to enter, but one n.ay peer throu-d, the
^xtt.ee woi-k, win-ch is tlu.own across the whole
cntmnce. ?sor .s ou,' expectancy any better satisfied
on the msnle than it has been without. Here, also
everytlnno. as v.-ry j.lain and bare. Not an i<lol oi'
^^^-^^^A any kind is to be seen: sin.ply a roun.l
netal nnrror, a representative, however naean, of
that nnrror hrst n.ade for the 8un-g-od,less and mven
to her o,,,ndson, Ninigi-no-Mikoto, when she sentlum
down to rule over Japan. Nor have we far to seek
for other rehcs of these old n.yths. Ki^ht above our
heads IS he ^n-eat twisted straw rope which the gods
threw belund the Sun-god.less when she came out of
her cave and then wound around her palace to keep
the devjls away. Here and there, too, .lepended froni
tins rope and rustling in the wind, is another little
witness. Ihese are little strips of curiously cut white

> 4

:I'lt;

JAPAN; THE LAND OF THE MORNtNO.

I" c f.ty, an,l we,-„ H,„t „„„|,. ,„„| ,,„ „
bmncl,c..s u ,. ,S.,kaki tn. before the 0,^:1,1.
the ,Sun-fr,«l,les.s l,i,l |,e„L.|f '''

We^hlie'V^rl'' " t"'"'"' '■'"'" •"'""" "''■■'•- -I">1'
« .0.0 ,ve can «n,l the Kre,.te.,t n,.ti, „„l „hrin !

■ISO, ftiKi fit Ise, a non ii'^ul-w^,, u ^

+1 . . , I'Liiuisu/.i oil the ea.stern const nf

^e n..m, ,.l,„.,l if anywhere, we can learn of Z to
> "■ Very aneu.nt an,l far-fan.ed ar,. these J^t
nationa s u' ne.s no (l,,.t t„ ii ^i nient

M,.t«„f.i """^"'.■^"""'"otlierii thousaniK from all
puts of the En,p„.e tl„ek i„ i,il,,ri,„aj,e. In,lee,I fro

b t en the ol,l .Mythologies an.I Shinloisn, J„s

Wo 1 'h':; '"»*"• '"'"'"*' '■•"•"■"™'» -'--ho

J^nipeior Si])in reiLni n<r over J.,n.,„ T\ •

™ very p,„n, „,„, ,,,,,,^. ,,,^.;;, ' «»

let °''"\"'!"- -ieke,l„e..,, and called upon

«^;:«!:::::::::';-tti!:thi:r-'
«intheoS;':i:ir^-ziir'c

MYTH AND TRAniTION.

this ihr ^.,.Ih w,.n. ,li.slK„ioml, built for the first time
theso smiplt' slirincs.

Wo hav.. uhvM.ly nu.ntio.ied th„ thre,, insiu„ia of
JHpaiu.Ho .-oyMlty-th.. mirror, the swor-l un.i the
crystal sph.-r.. (I,, to th. time of the Kinperrv ,.,'
vvho.n we MOW uTite, those had been carefully hmded
<lown lr<.,M father <o son in the Imperial succtMsiou
and were de,u,,sited in the palace. But a rebeilkMi
havn.^r l,,„i,„„ „„t i„ the rei^m of this reven .c
luonarcii, he eanu. to the conclusion that the rebellion
was a Hv^n of the .lispleasure of the j^ods, b,.cause of
Jus keepu.^r the sacred end)lems under his own roof
Actuated also by another wei^d.ty consideration,
namely, that these sacred symbols nnVht be defile.l
by iMMu^r ,„ t,„, close association with his own carnal
person, he n-movvd them from his palac<' ami built for
them a ten.pl.. at Kasami, a vilh.^ro in Yamato, ami
made Ins own da.,i,d.ter priestess of the shrine and
custodnm ol the sy.nbols. This custom of appointincr
a vir^nn p.-,ncess ol' hnperial blood to this responsible
othce has been observed ever since. Sujin, however
nuide tran.scrii,tM of the nnrror and thi sword, and
plnced thon. in a separate building, in the palace,
cal ed "I he Place ol Reverence." This was the ori.nn
of the chap,.] still connected with the palace .f the
Emperor of ,Ja])an.

It is also recordcl that this princess in charo-e of
the sacred symbols, bein^r warned of the Sun-m)ddess
to do so. carried the n.irror from place to place, seek-
ing tor a more suitable locality in which to erect
a permaneiit abidinjr.place for the precious treasures

JAPAN; THE LAND OF THE MORNING.

Nor was it until in l,er extreme old a^e and in the

selected and those famous shrines built. And there

0-day so the Japanese tell us, those sacred i s ' •

o royalty rece.ved from the hand of the Sun-godd "

are stdl preserved. te^'Kitss,

h.,"re!!T'" T ''"'r" *''"■" '■' '" «'"'"°'-'- It

mon,, ]. lie foitli ,s as s„„ple as the common wav
e sh„„e ,„ ,vh,-eh it: «„.,, it,, outward and vili I

a I. It >, l,t le n,ore than a pohtieal cult which
thows around ahout the Empero,- a halo o 2^
authonty and mal«s him the son of Heaven, aceordi I

^h :, To "7 " ''^ ^""™' "■>-*'-°«- ^^

alluded to. Moreover, growing out of this it ha,

Weon,e a system of ancestral worship. EveryemLt

-l.e.. he d,es, becon,cs a god, not any dfffert ; .'

character or disposition f™„ ,,i,at he was «d n he

yet dwelt upon the earth, and is still very ne" to

ake cogn,.ance of what is going on among t,:

euldren ol „,en, and to bless or blame accordL s

tl»,ract,o„s are either pleasing or displeasing i„\::

The present Emperor has one hundred and twenty
two such ancestors, a veritable "cloud of wit "e! ef"

tot;:: °ou V" rr-^'r' '"^ ■'"" "^"^^ *--->■ y

to the old hhmto fa.th, we have but to quote the
wor,ls ot Ins oath in the promulgation, some fou
years ago, of tho new constitution giving civil a,"

MYTH AND TRADITION.

relicrious liberty to his people. After first Avorshi,)-
pnio- at the sacred shrines of tlie palace the spirits of
his Imperial ancestors, he said :

" We,tiie successors of the prosperous throne of our
predecessors, do humbly and sokMunly swear to tho
Imperial Founder of our House, and to our other
Imperial ancestors, that, in pursuance of a great T.oh'cy
coextensive M-ith the Jieavens and with the earth we
shall maintain and secure from decline the ancient
form of government.

" We now reverently make our prayer to them and
to our Illustrious Father, and implore the help of their
sacred spirits, and make to them solemn oath never
at this time or in the future to fail to be an example
to our subjects in the observance of the law herebv
established. "^

"May the heavenly spirits witness this our solemn
oath ! "

We have now seen from the foregoing how Shintoism
thoroughly permeates the political life of the nation •
and tJiesame is true of the social. Under its teaehin.;
the family also seems to be of divine origin. Ev.tv
father of every family, when he dies, becomes a deit'v
an.l IS devoutly worshipped by his children, as, in.le.d
are all the ancestors of that particular househoM'
Consequently, great care is taken in the preservation
ot the family records, and especially of the geneahx-ical'
table,_ tracing the ancestry as far as possible back into
the <lim past. Preserving the spirit of the old leg.^nds
bhmtoism also peoples the Avhole face of the country
with myriads of deities, until they almost equal in

:i'(;l

japan; the land OF THE MORNING.

number the actual population. Evorv loftv n
tain-poak evorv ),;ii f '^^^"y iotty nioun-

valley ^lU^ ^^tZj^Tm'^^'h 77 '^™''
rich .s,nili„,n n|,i„ !!l , '"''''^ «"l<Is, (ivory

i..>«t .">.. Zi :i ';:;:;;;« f"'-- »"" ™" '»y'

object of natur , gm or s d 7 ".''"'" ' ^°"' "-"'^
-1.0 broo,l» for a% oVr s ,T ""j"' '"■■''r ''-t^

face.! «::ri.;oti "::;';::: ;:""'■ ::-- "■« '"-

»tumbli„„ a„,l the rill ■^,"'' "'" ''o«-= from
the rush?„r i"r tro I,"" ""T '•^- "'" -''' °f
clmntsia,;eirdp;nv. tof ""■"""' '" ''■■'■''"'«>

l.i.n fro,„ wreck Indf ??"""■'■'"'" ''""' '° «"™

broa., ocean ;:t,::'', ';/;;;::::« ^

captain, at which supplication i. ' Japanese

in tin,o. of .storn, a,'! of a::,;':,""' ^''^ '-'-""y

Do you ask the character of tl Ii„;

t.ons of thee votaries of 81,, i„ '*-?;' """""
answer is tl,at they are e„e. ,1 vt „e iT

tion of the'irtt t : i:,':;:! ,ff. -''■;«-

t. Nothiuo- of mx. 1 ,"'"^"'"^nite about

lyounng ot joy or liopel'u ikssh (.nti-rs Jnfr +1, •
thouglits of the ]iero.,f'f.>,. t x, • '^^ *^^^^

ve./.itt,e, if In';,:;;;-, ;:/':;^■:r\r -'^
ha. «ooairi.f2";: ;i:rn:;:i:'" «"''-»-<>

What beneflt, then, has thi., oldlcgcclary faith

MYTH AND TRADITION. 65

been to the Japanese ? Tl,e answer to a question like
« s makes a fltting eonclnsion to tl.o preint el.ap er

soeh W? f™™-=™« '» t''« »l.oIe politicll and
>=oc a tabnc of the nation. One who l<„ow.s Japan
well Ijas put .t ve,,, aptly in sayin, that the Ja,3
aiethvmg example of the elfeetuality ot the p -oniise
ontame, ,„ the fifth co,„„,andme„t, " Hono, 1. v

the land wlneh tl>e Lor<l thy God give^h thee ■ On
tl.e one hand, Shintoism most faithfnily o , .ys t hi
connnand. Nowhere in the world is .snelf resn et an
hhal reverence aceorded to the parents of the tln^
oth before and after death; and this prineiple™
through the entire warp and woof of the whole naZiT
operat„.g.iust as effectually in the home of he pr.'

mg at It from another standpoint, the whole nation

appears as one great fan.ily bound to the tl roLe b !

he same sacred ties of reverence and filial afitction

c fi^^°Ms '1 "":'" "" ^^'"P-- '"ks upontnd
W df° ''1-'"''J«='^^ »» 'f 'l«y were in reality his

histoiy of the nation the fulfilment of the fifth
coinm^dment promise. For twenty-three ^tur t
the Empire ot Japan has .stood and never once bowed

upon t e , ' " rr"'^""""" ""P-^^"™' '«« ^»'
upon the throne. If we mistake not, history fur-

.-hes no parallel to this in the case 'of any^hTr

i s'!

|i hi')-'.-'

-A

--. ifcMitliiai

II V i

MYTH AND TRADITION, gy

nation of the world. Evorv frionri ^f .i •

who e,.o,.ted the heavens and the earth .Slid o"
tlie bist-looseninf swit}io« r^f fK„ i ,,- "■^^^'''" or

™,x.,-,*tio„, the" r an, or;" C 'T °"'™ •"'

loyalty and ,ove must fo.vve, .h d aT '°"°'*";

,'■ !i.:

m r

H
IK

CHAPTER III.

\> f

IN 1 HE ANCIENT DAYS.

As we have already seen, tin /vlamor of myth and
fable is tlirown around the be^n!uuii,(H of thiiigs in
Japan; and wlien we go baclc u> .1,,- birthd;iy of
history, we still find that ovej- an.l around her cradle
the same illumined clouds bend low. The history of
J.'ipan begins with the Emperor Jinnnu Teiuio, the
fifth in .uccession froni Ninigi-no-Mikoto, whoi'n, it
will be remembered, Amaterasu, the Sun-goddess, sent
down from },.^aven. Because of the supernatural
circumstances which are recorded to have attended
the career of Jiinnm Tenno, it is not at all certain
whether he was human enough to really claim kinship
with the children of men. History however must
have a beginning somewhere, and it is not a bad idea
to start as near heaven as possible. We have, there-
fore, Jimmu Tenno's name as the first on the' official
list of the Empire, and referred to by the Emperor as
his great Progenitor and the Founder of the Dynasty.
Japanese history says that Jinnnu Tenno had his
dwelling-place just at the foot of the mountain Kiri-
shiyama, upon which Ninigi-no-Mikoto alighted when
he came down from heaven ; but the place was evi-
dently too straight for him. Or, if wo could push
aside the superstitious glanwr which . grounds the
spot we would most likely discover thai by this time

a^mm

lyth and
idngs in
bliday of
er cradle
istory of
inno, the
tvliom, it
less, sent
rnatural
ittended
certain
kinship
er must
3ad idea
', there-
! official
peror as
>ynasty.
had his
in Kiri-
hI when
vas evi-
d 2)ush
:ids the
lis time

iN THE ANCIENT DAYS. gg

.1- el,K.Ha,„, set out „,«„ an exp„,liti,„! „f JZ-

^"iM.u ,,n.l 8h,koku,,„to the fa,„ou« I„la„,l 8oa
\Vo,« ertul ,„„„t I,ave been the «ce„e a., theT Hi-led
.n ana out an,o„« th.« lovely islet.,, as nunXol
verclan and a., truly picture^jue a, those of ourfo
famed Thousand Islands.

Wonderful, too, were the fabulous n.onsters which
".rouged the.se new environn.ents. It is said I
|.-eat n,„ny ereature.s, like colossal spiders on t'
Junnu, ennos way, and even wicked gods wa-e wlr

ot this Inland Sea, or Seto-no-uchi -is tliP T,,

;;;'i'ce''';:,'^":;' ■■'■';'''' «-i..«c:':,;r:nS:::

Ml..ce. Stdl, at lensth, the old restless spirit seized
hnu and away to the eastward he led his band ,"
0^.ka wa,s reached. Now the conflicts witl 'e bt

«ea as «on. fhe supcrnatnral, however, seems still
to ha^.e been Ins ahl, and at one tin.e when Ipi 1
l™ way along an unknown road, over n.ountai.fZ" ?

'..., no-M,koto, sent Inm an inni.cnse crow havino-
' - - e,gh feet long, which went before and 1 d 1 im
- o ohe nch land of Yamato. This province b cam
. , pennanent abiding place of him and his pcop k
^; or was the struggle with the natives of the land
' 1 their adonti on Tf io „„,vw, , , . * "-"e una

i •

li':!]

adopt

ion. It is said that,

during

one of the

11^

JAPAN; THE LAND OF THE MORNING.

conflicts, thick (IfU-kncsH brooded over the batth'-field,
so that neitlier ui-iny could catch a o-Hn.pse of the
other. The din of batth.' ceased, and all was stiUed.
Suddenly a ^r^eat hawk, surrounded by a halo of
glory, shot thrcnigh the ^houx and restJd upon the
bow of Jinnnu Tenno. ^I^he terrible li<rht which
accompanied the bird so struck dismay into the liearts

TlIK INLAND SKA, JAl'AN.

of his enemies that they turned and fled. Jimmu
then took possession of their country, and built his
capital a few miles distant from the city of Kioto.

^ The year G63 B.C. is given as the date of the begin-
ning of the reign of this great foun<ler of the Empire
of Japan. It is doubtful, however, whether Jimmu
Tenno and his immediate successors were really
historical characters ; and, indeed, it is not until the

fel

ittk'-field,
St' of tlie
!is stilled.
I lialo of
upon the
lit which
ho hearts

IN THE ANCIENT DAYS.

Jimmu
)uilt his
ioto.
e begin-
Enipire
Jimmu
i really
ntil the

ii
m

fifth century of the Christian era that the historical
n.c,,nls outgrew the swaddling eh,thes of n.yth and

In o)'dpr, then, to gvt a comprehensive grasp of the
s^m.p of Japanese history without wearving the
patient reader with endless detail, we u.ustsetupa
i-v grea way-marks along the a.<,ad, and stan.h'n-.
at each of these we can look haekwards and foru-ards
down the slopn.g hill-sides of the centuries. The
first of these nn,st be the introduction of continental
cn-d,.ation H.to Japan, which began abont two
centuries alter the birth of Christ.

During these ancient days, before the introduction
o civilization, the Japanese pursue.] their own path
of development unaided, except ix-rhaps, by the no
cloubt constantly increasing little stream of huma.'iity

Z\ "^ ';':""''"!' "''"^'' ^^"^^"-"t^^d the population
and ended to gradually change the character of the
new-born nation.

i._ is not at all within the scope of this work to
furnish a consecutive and detailed record of historical
events, but rather to combine into as small a compass
as possible the great leading features of the hisLry
of he ancient days, an<l to present them to the
"n T ".';r "'^'^•^'^^^'"S ^^ f-^^-'" 'ts may be possible.
Out of the gloom and mists of this half-historical,
fial -mythical period, one of those events amonc. the
o^y einperors looms up before us. His name" was
^m ^\e have already spoken of him in connection
Mth the elaboration of the ancient r..|;^non, Shinto-
i«m. i^ot only as a religious enthusi ust has he made

■fli r

JAPAN ; THE LAND OP THE ^TORNlNfJ

ha name to b. re,no,nb..,v,l. It wus he who taught
his ut leant halt-.sava^^e subjectH tlie first k'ssonn of
civibxat.on In the ^.ovennuoat of the p.-opl. he
brou^^ht ,,nler ont of disorder, and was tbe first .v.- ,
patron of ac^a-icnlture, by afibrdin^^ every facility
possd.le for the .rri.mtion of the land and the cultui^
of nee. Thus we see tbe Japanese at this early
period enier-ni^r out of imrbarisni and becoming
a semi-eivdi.ed people. Their civilisation was still
however, extrenjely crude. A sin.ple pastoral people,'
they knew nothni^r of the arts or sciences, nor of
literature or letters. Their dwellin^.-places were also
very rude, and even about the palace of the Emperor

tec'turr''' "*' ^'^^'"'^'^ ''^ ""•^*'""^' ^^■'''' ^"^' ^^•^^"-
It is also recorded that the soii of the En.peror
feujin followed closely in the stops of his father and
was a great blessing, to his p.ople. He it was who
introduced the quality of mercy into the customs of
his people. Wh,.n an emperor or one of the royal
famdy died, it was customary to bur; some of his
servants alive with him; this was now done away
with, and little earthenware images were substituted
Here, then we have, in the making of th..c images,
the real birth of the fine arts for which Japan i
now noted Is „ot this another little witness to
the gi-eat truth that art has its birth, not with tl
blood-thu^ty and cruel, but always with the mercil'
ana kind ?

We must not think of the Japanese as, at that time
oecupymg anythnig uke the territory they clo to-day.

'J>L

IN THE ANCIENT IMYS.

iluy were st.ll like tl... .nrly colonists who sottl.d
on the eastern const of No.-th An.erica. Very circnn-
.cnbed were the h-n.its of their hahitation an.l .11
-onnd ahout then, were as wild and as sava^^e bards
o^ .•il)or,o.,„e,s ,,s o,ir fathers ever had to encounter ere
^u,v won th,s fai. continent for ,),eir posterity.
Conse,uen ly, wlule we have the nan.e of the
Emperor Snj.n as the pioneer in reIi.-ion and a-
culture, yet the whole period is tilled with little dsc
than wars and runums of wars Mith the hardy har-
'>'tnans wh<, encompassed then, so ch.selv These
consta..t conflicts developed a correspondingly warlike

-^ee of n.en, until .Mast, in tlK. second century vvo
■see eiuer^nno. i„to th;. bloody a.vna the first -nvat
national hero of Japa. This was Yan.ato Dak^-no-
Mikoto. sun of the twelfth .upe.-or of Japan

Very marvellous are nc deeds recorded of this
yahant warrior. While he wr, .t only a striplin,.
.great rebelhon occurred in K, shin, and, ^-ainin^-
he consent o lus father, he led an arn.y a^aitt the
.els and defeated then.. In tin's his f^rst expedition
le d.stinpnshed hnnself no less by his strategy thar.
by his bravery. While the two arnnes were yet
oppoMug each other, Yanuxto Dake n.ade up his ndnd

rebel chiettazn. Being a youth of ren.arkably fair
countenance, he disguised himself as a dancing girl
and eoimn,.- to the sentinel, requested that he be'
allowed t.) perform b.-fore the leader of the host The
sentinel, hnnself fascmnted by the beautv of face and
iorm oi the supposed maiden, and thinking to reeeiVe

japan; Tin-: land ok rur-; mounint.'.

a ncl, ivvvnnl Inun l,is (.|,i-r, -.uluutU.l hrv tu the
'';""1' '^"•' '"'■' '"■•• P>v,sn.t..,l to tl... nv.H.n.l Ih,,v
HlHctl... e<„M,,u.st of tl... M.ai.l,.,. uasc.o,n,,|..t.,.; k-r
«n.y-,n^r a„,l .Inndnn- won unstint.-.l appluus,. IVn,,, tlu-
HS,s,.mbKM co,n,Kiny..f revrlLrs who constitute. I the
curt., th.. w.m,I.I-1h. rnh.r. Th... at th. d„s,. of the
carousal Jh., the chiertain. to.,k tl... fair .l.-ceiver l.v
tl.e han.l a,.,| l,..l h..,- away ...xultino-lv ,„ his owii
"Partn.ents. Th,. .lisillusion.....nt, houw..,-, was as
.s-...leu as the joy was short, an.l 1..- fo.n-l hin.Heif
1" the^rasp Ufa ivsolut,. y.an.n- warrior, who p|„,..-ed
a (hi^r^oT into his h..ai.t.

Kven n..>re .vn.arkahle still w.Te the n.ats of ann.s
n'O.H..l,.,| of W,.mto Dake, in his suhse.,u,.nt l.attles
uith the harharians of the ,.ast. As vet all the
temtoiy, oven fop a e.,uple of a hun.hv rM,il..s w..st-
wnr.l o Tokyo, was a wil,le,.n..ss, inlVst..,! with
s :iva«-e ban.Is of Ainos. These trib,.s ha.l r..v..lt...l and
were now on the warpath, when Van.ato Dake sallie.l
urfcli a..unst them. Alon^. with him went his heroic
wite, Tach.bana Hnne. Fii-st, he n.a.le In's wav to the
great national shrines on the peninsula of Ise, an.l
while th.r... l,.aNinu. his ow.i un.ler a i,ine tre- he
preva,le.l upon the viro-in pri..stess t.> ^-ive hnn that
saer..d sn,.-.! on,, of tl... tl.re.. insignia of Japanese
loyalty of which wo iiave alrea.ly spoken. This, no
.loubt, accounts for the many miraculous maniiesta-
tions which now atten.le.l the expe.lition. Noon he
WHS r.|,.l.t ,11 the heart of the enemy's country, at tlie
toot of Mount Fuji, and near to where the city of
bhid.uoka now stands. Tlie country was, of course

iij

■ )

(

[ j

\f-

it 1 p

IN THE ANCIENT DAYS.

nothinnr but a vast wilderness, and Yan.ato Duke lui.l
to force Ins way throu<,di tlie thick underbrush and
over tlie rugged fell so very common the,-e Here
the enemy, perfectly at ho.ne, an<l never nieeti,,.. tlu'
invader face to face on the open field, swarmed .•..rnnxl
him ni the thickness of the wood, and sent th..ir
shafts irom bohin.l rock and tree an.l from out the
tancr ed grass. Once they fired the c,n-ass and und.w-
brush around Yamato Dake and his band, an.l the
wind spnngmg up, urged on the flame, until it seem.-d
as though they were doome<l. The Ainos, now
assured of a complete victory, yelled with deli-ht
Iheu- exultation, however, was but of short •lurat'ion
tor now the Sun-goddess appeared to Yamato Dake'
and he, drawing the sacred sword "cloud-clustei- " cut
away the grass around about him. At the very si-dit
of this heavenly sword, the fire immediately halt.'.Pin
Its onward rush, and then turned toward tiie enemies
who were forced to flee utterly defeated.

After subjugating dl these bands of savag(>s on the
western side, he then led his band through the <\rru
defiles, and around and up the steep acclivities of the
Hakone rr::ge, which early became the great boun.l-
ary Ime between the west and the east in Japan
Perchance, in passing, he looke<l down upon Hakone'
Lake, that rare gem glistening amidst its ma.-nilb
cent setting of mountain-peaks. What a si,HI of
enchantment must have come over him did he but
stand on one of those summits and behold, on the one
hand, the hoary head of old Fuji Yama towering above
Its companions at the other end of tlie lake, and then

japan; the LAN., OF THE MORNING.

mirroriiinr itself so .sph.iidiMlu ;„ U 11
Then tu,™n„u.o,„„, L I 1 J ,, "™ "f-''
the vast rc.«io„ tl„-,™«i, wl . I l! , r"'.'' ■"''=™
way: the great ru,r„„d .„ I""' .h.„g„t hi,,

Z'zrin' "T"" '^'"---«-;:

JJ<iy, anil to be forever <)\... I i i, ., ^

waters. Then the ev,. , V ""^ ^^ '^ 1"^"*

there like a n.i,hty ch'an.pio ;', ,."'•,*'"*"«
^tl-I """"""■"■'"""-'■'"■'-« 'I- ,uiet«de
A'o less entraneinjr wouM l„. tl„. se,.n,. ,„ V »
wound .lown the e^,t,.rn sl„,„, „ ,he Hal'-' T
tans. Ofton i,,,! „rt ,■ Hakone Mouii-

around the open face .,r one of f„„ .:7:"'TT

:^:s::::tr:r-iT':i ---^^^^

hurries downi ; ttZ '"^r t '""" "^ "'

^tillontward. andth J^w 'Urr'f^
f.-i"«e,I on tin, iar side ^vit,? h,',':!. t^J:^

comes n,to v,ew. This is t a.nons vj ^ . t"

novv dotte<l with the nd,it,3 .sails „r n.yri.u of 1 tl'
ci-alt, and the skv abov,. it ..f,. i i •''■""*"' ''t™
bv the hl,.l- „ ,y "■"''' '' »ti-eakeil over and anon
by the black column ot sn.oke Iron, the nnghty ship.

m i

IN THE ANCIENT DATS.

^•reat

which every day plouc^h its restless waters Yerv
different must have been the scene when Yamato
W ^'f,}''^'^^ ^t in its primeval solitude.
^Ve are told that the hay appeared very narrow
und .puet, so that Yamato rather despise.] it, and
thouu-ht It but a, small n^atter to cross to the other
•side, boon lie and his band were launched upon its
boson,: but they now learned that the unstable waters
ot that narrow arn. of the sea had their terrors as
well as the land. A ^.reat storm arose and threatened
to eno-ulf then- frail bark. This, Yan.ato Dake
tlioug-h , was due to the fact that he had insulted the
bea-<,rod, by thinking that his kingdom was so small
and msign.ficant. A sacrifice became necessary to
appease h:s awful anger, or the very ship and its
con.pany must pay the penalt3'. Immediately a
woman stepped into the breach. Tachibana Hime
he Wife of Yamato, bidding a sad farewell to her'
husband, leaped into the waves. The expiation was
acc.pte.l, the storm ceased, and Yamato and his band
soon reached the other shore.

The barbarians were quickly subdued, and the little
army of veterans, now hundreds of miles from home
foun.l their way to the head of the peninsula. Here'
at a spot on the shore, now within the boundaries of^
lokyo, Yamato Dake found the wooden comb of his
wile, which had been cast up by the waves. He then
bu.lt an altar upon the spot and dedicated the comb
as ail offering to the gods. A Shinto shrine now
occupies the site.

Nor did the exploits of this valiant chief cease

'^lM:i

■

iiuBHHBHH

JAPAN; THE LAND OF THE MORNING.

in ■ i 'I
It t

hero Far and wide by feats of ar„,» he extended hi,

cro .ed the „,ountan,s to the northwar.1, and even

en one of h,s generals away over to Eehi.en, on the

«c.t eoast. luorywh,.,-, his enemies were snbdued

More h,n, and their eountry added to the territoy
oi the hmpei'or. '

At lensti,, however, In's thonglits turned to his
ta.--oft hon.e, away to the westward, an,l ,;ladlv he
t n ed Ins face tldtherward. Fron, tl,e Inj^dands o
olunano to the northward of Tokyo, he retraced hi.s
.steps, nntu „.a,„ Ins ,.ye rested npon the beautifnl
l.;."oran,a of tlie plain Ixdow. As the range ot '
v.s,,,n swept ontward to where Yed.lo Bay .shinnnered
". t .e blue l,a.e of the far .listance, it brou.-ht to
™nd he awful stonn in which his beloved wife ' v^

71. ,T r '■"""'"; ""'' '" "" «'■''■'■ ^™"'"'«' »™--iv

w.,d >.',"■"'■' '"'■" "I'™ "'■''™"' '- plaintively
«.uled "Ad.ur„a ha yal" (01, ,ny wife!) From

that tnne to this the poetic nau.e of Yeddo Phdn i

Never again .lid Ya.nato Dake reach his home.
F.ible weaves around his career too many legends for
«.s to repeat. .Suffice it to say that, so irduous w„

l.ind so bit er the conflicts and so terrible the evil

ZT " " ' "'' *" "'^ "'-'-ntered. that when a
l.>st he reached again the shrine at Ise. his streno-th
wa-s .spent, and he bo«-ed himself down before S.e

.tself. Ihey bnned bin, there at Ise; and it is

tended his
^laiii, and
and even
'H, on the
•subdued
territory

d to Jiis
■ladly he
1 lands of
I'aced his
beautiful
■e of ]iis
innnered
u,i>-lit to
ife ^ave
scarcely
intivel^'
From
Plain is

> home,
iuds for
'US was
Juntain
he evil
hen at
rength
•re the
I^eath
it ia

IN THE ANCIENT DAYS.

said that from his tomb a white dove was seen to
escape, and when they opened the sepulchre nothing
but the funeral garb could be found.

To-day the nauie of this great hero is a liousehold

OF LOW DEGREE.

^^^■. •^.;.^V-■^:,^J^^^-;^.:^^|

word an.ong the Japanese. In the beautiful park
of the ancient city of the Maedas, Kanazawa. there
stands a magrnficent bronze statue of Yamato Dake
with the fan,ou.. swc^d " cloud-elu.ier;' in his hand'

iH!;l

1 1:

japan; the land Of THE MOIIXING.

I :!

beautiful shr.ufs arc erec «1 to his mcuory

Japan is not without her illustrious women
Begunuus wth that .levoted horoi,,.. Tachibana
Hnue, who gave hei-self to the cruel waters as a

zri T '""•'"■f ■»"• "- p%- of the a„ei:;tis-

to.y ot . lapau ,s all he»pri„kle<l with the names and
ecords .,;l those of the gentler sex who have lived for
the,r country alone. No less than nine empres.so
have sa upon the throne of this Sunrise Kingdom
And although Japan, like many another nation a":
corded to wonmnhood in the earlier times a very „ ucl
>.gher p ace m the social scale than it has during
later eentunes, yet it is very pleasing to note haf
now as^un in these last days she is distrnguisl^„t
self n, the person of the present En.press

In the ancient days, it was in very masculine
deeds o valor that the Japanese won! won e
..stor,ca renown, I„ later centuries, when the old
co„tn.ental c,v,h.ation, with its voluptuousness had
thoroughly polluted the strea.ns of' morality h
^.urtesan becan,e the type of brilliant womanhood
Aow, as this mneteenth century draws to its close

Chrislnr-f ,'T '^™ '^^'■"■■^ *'-" «- »o-
CI nst-hk, ,doal of mercy and philanthropy. Not

ony ,s Ch„,,t hin,self, in the person of His'devoted

followers, puttu.g this crown upon the brow of Japan

ese womanhood, but the En,prcss herself, catching

sometlnng ot the spirit of the new day thl "f

dawnmg upon the nations, is devoting much of her

time to leading and encouraging the noble women of

IPfr

he Em

pire

s women.
Tacliibana
Liters as a
icient Jiis-
lames and
i lived for
empresses
Kingdom,
ation, ac-
ery much
t8 during
lote that
hing her-

masculine
won her
I the old
less, had
ity, the
lanhood.
ts close,
le more
y. Not
devoted

Japan-
atching
that is

of her
•men of

IN THE ANCIENT DAYS. 83

her nation in their enterprises of enhghtonment an.l
benevolence. Already the Peeress' school for ^•o„„.
ad,es. under the direct patronage of the E.npreis, ha^
v^on a well-deserved reputation for efHcient work.
Foremos of all. however, among the good works of
these noble women, is tin, Red Cross Society It
«ee,ns a httle peculiar that in the land of thJ Sun-
goddess, where the divine ancestors of the nation
are alone (officially) worshipped, and where the
heathen temple oversha.lows all else, that this beni-m
symbol of the Christian's faith should have sucl^a
prominent place. After all, the hospital and the
ainbu ance corps, the world over, are the children of
Christianity, and carry with them, no matter where
tliey are, much of tiie spirit of Him who healed the
sick a..d went about doing good. Thus, even in far.
away Japan, many and many a poor sufferer has
reason to bless the Clnist, whom lie knows not for

Socie^ty"^' ^'''^'' '"'"''''^ °^" ^^"' ^'"'^'" ^""^ ^'"^'^
Our story brings us now to the career of the first
Japanese queen, Jingu Kongo. Hitherto we have
been watching the growth of an infant nation which
has never gone to school. Without letters, without
a ts, without a code of morals, and with but the most
; -ri '^ religious faith, this young con<,uering
d,e has been gradually growing in numbers an!
strength has been learning to wrest a livelifiood from
he stubborn soil, and by deeds of valor has been sub-
duing the whole country to itself. Palace, liouse and
hut are all of the -.. .ry rudest. The authority of the

' a

japan; the land of the MOHNING,

an.1 all l,e lore „t wl„cl, tin's rustic n«,,,l, i«„t ; '
»""ply tlu. stones t„l,l a,,,,,,,,, t,,„ ,,, ,„ '„,^^\^

Bnt „o«. a Chans,, is at l,an,I, n„t a s„,I,lcn one

Just at tlm close of the fii^t century of the Cliristian
-a a„ e,„peror called Chnai sat lpo„ t .f "
We n,ay however, dismiss hin, with ittle more than
the mention of his name for the „,-. i
his wife w.,« tl '"■''" ■'"'"'on tliat

rebeM ™ T , P™"""«"t ™« i" tl.at fan.ily, A
rebel on broke out at Kumaso, on the Island of
Kmshu, and the Emperor headed his army a set
out overland to snlxlue it. His wife, theXpr
J.ngu Kongo, followed hi,n by ship While o 1
expedition, the En,press was worsllippi ;^^' . ZJTi
the islands of the Inland ,Sea, when a g^l eamrind
.poke to her. Ho said : " Why are yonto anxio„.rto
subdue Kumaso? It is but a scanty region ,ot
worth the trouble of conquest. There is a m, C
arger an.1 richer country, as sweet aLd a lovevt
tb taee of a fair virgin. It i., ,,„,,,,-ug hri„l t wi
gold, sdver and fine colors, and every kind o rich

rTnri^rgiv:;^:r:^^4»)- «p

cptrywithont^lLCd^irC^^^^^^^

husband the ;-:u:rar;!:/:^^^^^^^^

message from the gods, he was foolhardy enoujh to

cliieftain,
I' l)oa,st is
reside, by
!•« of tlie

I'len one,
mddenly.
Sliristian
' throne,
ore tlian
son that
iiily. A
iland of
and ,set
Empress
on this
one of
tme and
i:iou,s to
3n, not
t much
vely as
it with
3f rich
'^orship
ser the
nd the
htvvay
to her
was a
■gh to

IN THE ANCIENT DAYS.

disbelieve it, and for tlie purpose doubtless of con-
f^rmin^r Inniself in this view of the .luestion, he
clnnbed to the sunnnit of a hinj, mountain and looked
far and wide over the sea. Seein<r no land to the
westward, he said to his (,ueen : "I looked every-
where and saw water, but no land. Is there a country
ni the sky ? If not, you deceive me. My ancestors
worshipped all the ^'ods. Is there any whom they
did not worship ?" Soon the heavens answered the
boastful words of this ancient positivi.st : " If you
believ,' only your doubts, and say there is no country
when I have declared thei-e is one, you blaspheme
and you shall not ^'o thither: but tlie Empress, your
wife, has conceived, and the child shall conquer the
country." The Emperor, however, obdurate in his
senseless unbelief, went on his way to the subju-
gation of Kumaso, was defeated by the reliels and
took sick and died. His brave wife Jingu Kongo,
assisted by her husband's minister, old Takenoudii'
the fabled Methuselah of Japan, now took command
of the army and soon suppressed the rebellion.

Still the words spoken by the go.ls rang in her ears
and she longed to cross the seas to discover and
conquer the land of which they had spoken. She
thought it wise, however, to seek vet other signs
from heaven before she entered seriously on prepara-
tions for such an expedition. She then went <lown
to the shore and baited a hook with a grain of rice
" Now," she said, " I shall coiKpier a rich country if
a tish be caught with this grain of rice." In she
threw her line, and before lung drew forth a fish out

' i .-

- ^^jHJH

^' ^^^H

•!

li £^^H|

PflH

l^H

I '

ii^^^l

lid

^apan; the lato op the Monmm.

of tho wnter. Tin\ vl.n . i

»'" 'M'l>n.>„! of t|,„ :;l ''"'', "" " ■•""••^ token of

i"V|«.,,ti„„» |„, t|,„ ;,„„;''',"' ;''•""■•" !".»„, l,er

i>''"'«'"' !«.■ Lair iZ w to ■ T'T ■■"" "'" <""'"■ «''"

tW.^ token f„i, I,e. "^n" ;, '::";'' '" '«•"• ^o- ,li.i

enterprise. ' "" '"'■"■'"■'' "'ith l.er l,o|a

Nuch an expedition -is tl,;
'"oment to J„,,„„. ^^^^ vl^ l"T.,""" °' "" »'"""
-"-try wit,, 'an a,-,,,; ^-I ,";"'« l-P'" ol tl.at

counsellor l,efo,.e tl,ee\-„edif'r '""'™ '""' '"^■r

««". at eve,y step, e' " "uT ''""'^ '° ^»' -i'-
''«'■ I'olp and soh- d f' , '"''• """ ""• ff"''»«a,-e
■-'tall was ..eaU; ,, t, ; """'^ '} ^^'^'■''"•y At
B"t now „„„t,,er L, s ' , T'T "''""' '° -"'•'"*■
TJ'ey had no verv e " '"""""«' '*»'»-

Co..a was to ,/fo.!nd "S'";" "'' ■'■"■^' ""-
"»l'™«an to sail to the west vtd ^7^' '"'* »
a».i„ without l,avin<r eano^f' " ''" '•'^^'"™<=''
^■■other was then de j f t,t "'," "^ '"*"' ''^>-™-'-
■""""tain peaks l„o„,i ,T , "'" ?"8'" ^'S''' of
-"'I l.or a,.,„y then nl. ' '' >"°»'' "'<' "oas- Jingn
""'t the god ,ff ,:;:;" ^•«': :"" «!- soon fon.lj

e token of
''t'^Hii lier

A-(ain, ut
;-0(l.s. She
' fclie u'o,].^
ould coiiio
Nor .lid
"■ted, and

iier bold

no .small
« of that
^n of the

foreign
!<-' lulior
111(1 her
«et sail.
'?>< gave
<y. At
in bark.

itself.

where
5ent a
turned
eyond.
?lit of
Jingu
found

Kai
e sea,
vhich
e.

IN THE ANCIENT DAYS.

When the flotilla had <r()t well away from the land
a fjreat storm arose, but the Dratron Kin<,r was still
on liaiid to assist this intrepid woman, and sent liuye
fishes which pnshed and pulled the vessels forwMrd
until they reached the shores of Corea. On the shore
she found an army ready to oppose her, and now the
two cr^'stals came to be of service. First, she threw
in the ebb-tide jewel, which caused the waves
to recede and leave the land bare. The Coreans
seeing this, thought the ships were stranded, and
rushed forward to attack the enemy before she
could extricate herself. Then Jingu threw in the
flood-tid" jewel, and the Coreans were drowned in
the sudden inrush of the waters. The conrpiest was
a bloodless one. The Coreans at once yielded up
their territory, and promised never to rebel, and to
constantly pay tribute. It is said that the King of
Corea ordered eighty ships to be well laden with
gold, silver, silk and precious goods of all kinds, and
to be sent with eighty hostages from high families to
Japan.

The stay of the Japanese army in Corea was short.
Jingu Kongo hastened home, where she gave birth to
a son, forever famed in Japanese history as Ojin, the
god of War. And it is said that it was throu^di the
spirit of the child, still unborn, that this noble queen
displayed such a warlike spirit and won such
wonderful victories.

Now, if we winnow the wheat of history from the
abundant chaff of myth and legend, we have simply
the record of a naval raid on a small part of the king-

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

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11.25 iu

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V IMC

Scifflices
Corporation

33 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580

(716) 872-4503

c.\

^v-

JA?AN; the LANt) OF THE MORNING.

I :

would have been lo,t 2l,t or .1 Tf'™'"*'' ''
incursion of Ji„„„ Ko,„„rr, „ C " "'■ "''"

Jap>vn all the aecessorL of / .''''''' """
which luul ah-eidv J^H *'''""' "'^'^''^-^t'on

BudJhis,,, i„ C Ir ;■ "''• "'"'"■ "'^' '"««--« of
wa. a rapid LeTuo'k T", ''"' *''"' "'" '='""'«"
the work. Tl e'inv °| ' '"; r"'' """'""=« '" ^'-'I'l-'to

more than m" k the " "*-'" '^°'«° ''''' """'i^'
"™ inaik the commencement of it

with these historical ci~ ^ tl' eLeT/'r"""
have never shown the h-Z f,„ i. '^ ' '^"''■™

anything like a InVhv'^t i ^ *°'' 0'-igi">'ti"ff
»elve,. In tH inve r "^•'''^""•°» »-"'« then"

further adil^e tX '^.l^r" r"T "^'^ '"^
Pacific coast. It "u f he ' ,''''""■" °'' ™'-

that the neo»le of T ,'-«»^''"''«-«l, however,

imitation a he potr^ft' '^:, r' ''""""^ "^
remarkable degree tiZu! ""'""" """^ *» ^'eh h
make everythh, "tl v Vd ^ f "" '° "'"■^' 'I'"'='^ly
■natter how Wn it , i '' "=-^ "' "'«''' ""'"■ "<'

^'-reaii;:x;!o:;rij;:;::::;:--^^
cft:Sa:!rt'ih:::jrr::t"r""''^

*;anp as it m.y seen.^ead! o 1 ^ h:"r,rf:"'
ad,«erentcontiue„t. The fi.t of thes^! thl Ir 3

^ I

IN THE ANCIENT DA^'S.

inniiifr, it
31-. T}iis
tlie opon-
>clad into
vilization
lueiice of
<! cliaiifre
complete
notJiiiijr

'^apanese
mection
f Japan
filiating-
!,'' tiiem-
^'iitirely
'Panese,
en any
of our
•wever,
Ity of
<uch a
uickJy
vn, no
tliink

state
e, and

from
ry of

hicli we are now tellintr, came from Asia and poured
in through the gateway of Corea. The second came
from Eurv)pe 'n the sixtoentli, and tlie third came
largely from jAmerica in the nineteenth century. If
we should also say that one of three great religions
has accompanied and reinforced each of these great
reformations, we would not be far astray. Buddhism
came with the first, Roman Catholicism with the
second, and Protestant Chi-istianity with the third.
The first two of these great waves have long ago
reached higli-water mark and spent their force, and
can now be studied and iustU' estimated in tlie lifdit
of history. The third is just now gathering force
and impetus, and is sweeping over the land. But the
end is not yet. If we may infer anything from the
signs of the times, it bids fair to equal and even
exc(?ed, in its tremendous results, both of its in-c-
decessors.

Wonderful, indeed, was the transformation wrought
when Japan came into close relations with the conti-
nental mainland. The first hundred years of history
after the death of Ojin, the warlike son of Jingu
Kongo, is almosL a blank as to the influx from Corea.
Nothing is recorded except the coming of occasicjiial
tribute-bearers. About the end of the third century,
howev(>r, the stream becomes pretty distinct. Even
at first the inunigration was (juite motley in its
character : tailors, architects, doctors, diviners, astron-
omers, n\athematicians and teachers came. Horses,
too, were sent over, and nuilberry trees with silk-wo)'ms
were also introduced. So close was tlie intercourse

%A\

'a,

■'apan; the land of the MOHNINC.

'it. : Hi

of hrrky to it, ,,.li"f! ' "'"'''^""J ^'"■'I'ob

-pt:;;';:; j™-™';« ">« •'■■fle.-ent occpa, io„s

of tl.c tl.ino-s Ih , """«'■'"'*». an.I also note «omo

-«T la-art of tl,o ,nHo , ,"',"""' P"""-"™"--' '" "''
'!>« ...eane,t peaLZ "'',^"'i*;-°'; ''"»„ to the hut of

-nto,K,a^o:;:::.Heti::l^:;';r^^'^'■°'^-

tins peaceful revolnfmn i I ''^ working of

'-sth a„j b,:: r'°'Ch ; "™"^ ■" "" '^«■■'■

be fully served if 11, ' I ''''■'•''"■ """' '"''-po* will

anJ re^gio, of j"" '"""" ? "'^ ?"'"-»■ "I'-atiou
*o the .n^-nd of th"~;! """'^ ^'"'"- -' ""--tiug

iand belonged to tl "' ,p 'T"'"""^" "* '«"»'• »" "«
div.ded it 'all: : "^^';-'". or E,„,,e,.or, and he

*n-ice rendered to the G ' p '''" '' '" "«» <>'
Wbute wa., paid vv^, tS 1 , ""''" ""^ •■* ^'^'-'y
&'•'" was divid«l to „ ""' °"""'"^''- Eai
were for the lord To m", ff'?- "S''' "' -'"-h
«erf, to do .,0. The nin 1 n " '?'' °'- ^■"P'-'^^d
Crown, and everrver^" '1 "'"'""S"' '° ""=
brought to the I , ^erkl ^T^"'" "'' ""« ™s

-■-y. in ga;;;;:::;::r:ri r

tra,,p„,g, and tinkling bells Th ' f *-'°''^'''™'

«---vasdurin^heMidS:\ts:;:r:

about the
B occurred
n<l busliels

^cupations
note some
can easily
"<l to the
generated
be but of
ble, Jiow-
)rkiniT of
all tJieir
^ose will
bication,
crestiiio-

3an was
, all the
and he

heu of

yearly
Each

which
pJoyed
to the
s was
of the
•^•eous
:?s not

from

IN THE ANCIENT DAYS.

the people behind a veil of sanctity, and separated from
them by the endles.s red tape of the complex system
of ^rovernment of later times. He appean;d openly
amoMf,^ his subjects, and heard and considered their
petitions, and redressed their wrongs. As a great
warrior chieftain be led his army to battle, and
infused into those who followed him the same spirit
tbnt he himself possessed. Nor was tbei-e any
distinction ])etween soldier and farmer in f.liose days.
The same feet that floundered in the deep mud of the
rice field took the "war path" on the shortest
notice, and the hands that garnered in the yellow
grain from off tiie soggy fields, could in a moment
cast away the sickle and as deftly wield the spear.

*' Then none were for the party,

Then all were for tlie State,
Then the rich man helped the poor,

And the poor man loved tlie great ;
Then the spoils were fairly portioned,

Then the land was fairly sold ;
For the Romans were like brothers,

In the brave days of old."

Chinese civilization changed all this. The old
simple feudalism vanished and a centralized system
of goverimient took its place. This, too, in time
developed into a system of feudalism most elaborate,
whicli continued down to the revolution of 1808.
The Tang dynasty, which held sway in China
from A.D. 018 until 905, wrought remarkable
changes in the arts, literature and politics of that
country. Printing by blocks was invented, and an

i|H

f I

IH I

•V-V ARTISAX.

IN THE ANCIENT DAYS.

Imperial ncaiU'iny was o.stabli.slu'd : laws were also
codified and the t'oriii of ^-oveniment was then more
fully centralized. All this Japan was not slow to
imitate. The territory of the feudal lord reverte<l
to the Crown. The whole system of government
centred in the capital, and from thence otficei's, such
as local governors, were sent forth to carry out and
enforce the connnands of the Emperor. New ranks
of nobility were now created, which, l)y degrees, more
and more ett'ectually intervened between the Mikado
and his people.

A change also came over the connnon people.
Instead of farmer and artisan indiscriminately taking
the field as soldiers in times of emergency, the Govern-
ment decreed that all the wealthier among the
peasants, who were strong and well skilled in the use
of arms, should constitute tlu; military class. From
that time there sprang up a new aristocracy between
the nobles and the common people. The status of
those that tilled the soil and enirao-ed in trade was
more and more degraded, while those who wore the
long sword and follow^ed their chief to battle became
a privileged class, who, through their abundant
leisure, soon became noted ft)r their refinement and
learning. There has never been anything in Japan
to at all compare with the system of caste in India ;
and yet the lines of demarcation between the differ-
ent orders of society grew more and more rigid as
the nation advanced, until they furnished abundant
food for all the haughty tyrannical pride of birth
and blue blood.

! i

J !

JAPAN; THE LAND OF THP Mnn

'-'* iHh MORNING.

™>.'l family l,y 1 • ,, »"lll,llly iv|,||,,, ,

™""""'. i.«,p).. Of u "'"■""^' "'•• '"■'■"-

deal wore as we lani.ll " "" '*'"'" «v ,. ..■,'

J NO.

•''■ this old
'""■'y. tl.roe
t' Hie /,'i(r/i,
''•'•' to the

'"";"y. tho

fi<'it)i('n, or
■•' " A^Tcnt

CHAPTER IV.

THE SCHOLAR AND THK PRIEST.

Another mUyhiy c\v.m^r wrouglit by this early wave
of continental civilization was the uifrodiuHon of
letters; and this, perhaps more than anything else,
lifted the Japanese out of barbarism.

Of course, the gloom of anticiuity and the dim light
of tradition make it uncertain as to just when ttnd
how the books with their teachers found their way
across the waters. Tradition, however, gives the
honor of introducing learning and literature to Atogi,
a son of the King of Corea, who, it is said, came on an
embassy to the Mikado's court during the reign of
the great warrior Ojin. He remained only one^'year,
but on his return to his native land, a teacher named
Wani went over to Japan at the request of the court.
The nobles and chief men of Japan then began
to earnestly study Chinese books, and from that thne
up to within forty years ago the Chinese language
has been the medium of all enlightenment and educa-
tion, as well as the channel through which all the
treasures of Japanese history and teaching and song
have been transmitted to posterity.

In connection with the introduction of the Chinese
language and literature in those early days, two
distinct tasks lay before the Japanese. First,' they

* :

japan; the land of thp .rnT>K

"••Kl to ninstcr tlic .

;■."«'•' ">.....,■,:„ ',;:,;; ;:;;;;;' -" "„■ «...,„,, ,.f

''"f ■■■I «o„,,,,,. i,. J,,; ; : " - .'-V,,,.,, „,„,

'7 '";''''''■■ '■'--<^- lit'-. :'•'''"''•"''' "'-I'

''■ to denote ti,..>vi,.,iHi,Vi :. '"'''■"'''''■ "■'')•

•-''■ «t tlu, outset, ati." '■"'"■'■ ■'■'"■■*eo„d

;;''"'•■'•>•• '»"* ti»: CI, '":"' '■- i-.-,.i,.x,-,«,

cliiimetws Hi,,-,.!, "' "."t"W- -'U Ki-xt t|„... ,.. "
"' •"""'-1 to tl„.t of t „. ,H """■'>■ "« l"«il'lf

v,t,,o,Ut,,e .,„,,,:,,,,,,.:.,;;;- to so,,,,,, ,.,,,^,
'^■l>.v.sente,| ,,„,„„,„„^, ^^.^^^ "^1'. ..» to .o,„„|, ,i,„,,,^,

F"'- liumll-e,!., of ven., fi T

"■•0 the eiu,„.,y ohi, ,,; ■;,,'::: "p™'"'" -"''•"«.! ,,

';;■■ /-■ p-"-i..« of p,.e.,e, r rv: ""'''■ i"'<'-tie.,

"" '1"= fet th„u«i,t ,„„,t '!""■" «^'"»'""»«

:■""-"'• After „,r,-t:'^,^:''-' '«".■.!« of the
""".lo'juato typo of !ite„.t,„, " ""'^ "•'•''"■ ""d

f.™.plH.,., I,ee,„„e „f the v ; ''^r ™y' ~"y I""''! to

'"■: "'"Oh have 0>.e.tker, ,!:'■'-"■" "''•'■"■''"-••'-
*""g the ,„,,,,, „,. ." *'"^*' .same ch,»,,eter.s

ii"x prevailed to,- ,„„„,.,, "''r ™""l the Go-o,,.

J J<- called the /fa„.„„,,.y^,_

vr\o.

'' 't'^ ahiiost
^'"' \v<'ultli,,j'
lit l.(. tli,.irs.
■^I<. /n luct,

''•^■/"'i-fc aiH/
'■, niul Well
'>«>th,.|- way

' '"'.second

l"'l'pl('.\ilKr
" ''<'(|llcf)l(r
*'"'y Cllosu

'■'■"^ possiMe
ivords, and

"'il nican-

^^'■•ic'k'd a

iiit'aiiino-
1 . ^'

'. .Snil])Jy

tinned to
'lioiiotics,
lerations
■* of tlio
I'le niid
iiard to
"ninciri-
''i"<'ictoj-,s
lys the

(jO-Oli.

«t was
whicJi

Wfl

THE SCIlor.All A\n TFIE PRIEST. 97

WHS introduced by son.e .Jaj.unese scholars, who went
mvr to China to study Another styk., called the
lo-o„, was also introduce.!, hut has made little head-
way. We have. th..rei*ore, two, and ,.ven three
pronunciations for the same Japanese character. The
Kan-on is now in common use: but the priests
especially m readin^r their reli^dous books, and in the
chanting. ,>f their ritual, still employ, to a ^n-eat extent,
the old Go-07i.

Still, this unhandy way of doinc. thin^ns could not
last lorevor, even in uninventive Japan; so a noble-
man name<l Kibi, or as others hold, a priest called
Ivukai, conferred a gr.-at boon on the nation by
introducinc. a very much simpler system of syllabic
characters called Knna. He obtained these by takincr
parts consistincr of only a stroke or two, from the
complex Chinese characters, an.l niakin^r each of these
stand for a sound. For instance, five of these repre-
sent the vowel sounds only ; and in all the otliers we
liave the consonant connected with each of the vowels
as a 1, u, e, o; ba, bi, hxx, be, bo; da, di, du, de, do;'
ka, ki, ku, ke, ko, etc. With these they can reduce
con-ectly to writing, nearly every word ^riven them,
with the exception of those containing an I or an r
he kana has been a ^reat blessincr to the masses of
Japan. For centuries the Chinese literature was only
within the reach of the nobility and of men of leisure •
but since the introduction of the Kana a distinct type
of Japanese literature has sprung into existence.
iNow the old clumsy system of using the Chinese
cliaract_ers simply as phonetics has entirely passed

11'^

JAPAN; THE LAND OF THE MORNING.

away, and these same clianieters are usc-.l only with
retercnce to their meaning'.

n\ then, we tuk.. a peei) into a Japanese hook of
to-.lay. we will se.. lon^. rows of Chinese characters
intersperse,] with Kana, and also hesi.je the .^reat
.s.juare hieroglyphics is a little line of tlu-se same
.s.mpl. kana characters. What does this mean?
^Vhy, snnply that the Chinese characters now express
thouo.hts, hut that they are use.I in Japanese ./rani-
mat.cal constrncti.,ns,in which preposition.conjnnction
case, particle and verb ending, of which the" Chinese'
know nothinnr. are expressed in Kana. As to the
little hnc^ of Kuna at the side of the Chinese ideo-
graphs, It the book were written for the thorou.ddv
edncated people, there wonid be nothing of this kind
because they would at once recognize the nieaninJ
of the character witliout the aid of tiie Kana Bu't
many a poor partially educated Japanese would be
confronted with lun.dreds of the more difficult
characters that lie w,a,ld not recognize : an.I so. for him
the Japanese pronunciation of tiie woj-d is written
at the sale in Kana, in order that he may read and
understand.

We have, then, three distinct types of literature in
Japan. 1^ „-st, the pure Chinese, without the slightest
admixture of Japanese, in which the construction
and thought are wholly the production of a Chinese
mind. Even to-day no man in Japan, who has not
mastered a great many of this type of books, aspires
to the honor of being recognized as one of the
htemti. The second kind of literature is that which

>nly with

' book of
iuu-actiTs
lie ^'rt'iit
mo .sanio
i iiiciin ?
■ ex])ros,s
"<(.' ^n-nin-
iuiiction,
Chinese
to the
!ise ideo-

I'OUohly

is kind,
iieaiiiii^
II. But
ould be
;lithc'ult
for liiin

^vritten
ad and

tare in
i^-iitest
•iiction
-liinese
as not
ispires
)f the
which

THE SCHOLAR AND THE FMUEST. 99

is called Kana mnjiri, or n.ix.Ml with Kana. This I
hMV(> ahvady d.-HnilM..!. I„ this all th- Hftion. the
P'Tiodicals, inch.dinM. the Mrwspn|...r.s, nw writtrn
as >,s also th.. HihI... The third tv|... is that whirh is
nitnvly devoid „r Chinese characters, and is written
■sni.ply in Kana, for the use of the connnon im.,,,,[,..
In these hooks the pure coll„(,uial Japanese wonls
nlone are use.l, so us to l.rino- wlmt is written within
the reach of the most une.hieate.j, who luive o,dy
mastered the simple Kana.

The spoken lan^ruaov is xny diH'erent from tlio
written. In the eai-lier centuries it was pm-ely
Japanese, and still in the coll.„,nial th." simpj,. native
W()r<Is lar^r,.ly predominate. As time went on, how-
over, more and more of the short, terse Chinese has
been introduced, until now, two men expressin<r
exactly the same ideas may use an entirely ditt'eren't
«et of words, accordinu- us they j.refer either the
Clnnese or Japanese. One of the great ditHculties to
a foreigner mastering the lano-uarre, is this fact, that
he has very little literature with colloquial forms to
help him in aciuirino- the words and idioms in
every-day use among the people. Another ditficulty
IS, that while in the old days the sentences were long
and flowing, they have now become shortened and
abbreviated at evc-ry possible angle, so that it is hard
for the Ijeginner to recognize the longer form in the
shorter.

But it is not simply in giving Japan a written
language that the Chinese literature has been a bless-
mg to that country. Greater far in their influence

: » ,

100

JAPAN ; THE LAND OF THE MORNING.

11 :

were tl.e thoughts wliich these old ideograplis
conveyed. Not only was tnulition and sto.y and
song introduced m the Chir.ese, but the best Chinese
classic literature, containing all the teachings of Con-
fucius and Mencius.

We often hear mention made of the religion of
Con ucius, when properly speaking it is not a 'religion
at all. It neither presents an object of worship, nor
hinnshas any religious ritual ; and yet in Japan,
Confucianism has well-nigh attained to the statas o
a religion, because of the peculiar manner in which
It supplements and strengthens the old native relio-ion
Shmtoism. Shintoisin. moreover, is no more wc^-thy
of he name of a religion than Confucianism, because
I furnishes no code of morals or religious precepts.
It IS nothing more tlian a political cult, binding a
supersti lous people to the throne of the Mik.ado
^ut each of these has that which the oth.r lacks
Shmtoism gives to the Confucianist an object of wor-
s^iip and a shrine, while Confucianism gives to the
Shmtoist a strict code of morals. Thus, these two

Mortliy of the name of religion, and have exerted no
mean influence.

I. deed, it would be difficult to overestimate the
influence for good exerted by Confucianism upon
Jcipan. Had it not been for its teachings concerning
the sacred relations between sovereign and subject^
parent and child, husband and wife, brother and
brother, centuries ago the superstitions of Shintoism
would have utterly lost their hold upon the people

(leo^raphs
stuiy and
5t Chinese
:s of Con-

iigion of
a religion
I'sln'p, nor

II Japan,
status of
in wliich

relifrion,
e worthy
, because
precepts,
iiuling a

Mikado.
'V lacks.
' of wor-
s to the
ese two

become
erted no

late the

III upon
icerning-
subject,
ler and
intoism
people,

THE SCHOLAR AND THE PRIEST. IQl

and nothhig like tlie strong national life wliich has
chamcterize<l Japan would have been at all possible
Coniucuis inculcated such a high type of personal
morality that he has <lo,ie more than any other of
he ancient teachers to furnish lofty ideals for the
high-born sons of Japan. Heals, we say, because
af er all they have far transcended the most pains-
taking ertorts of even the best, until the cry of failure
roc,o yomu rogo shiraz^r^i.e., "we read the ,loc-
nues of Confucius, l,„t we do not know them ' -
lias passed into a common proverb. Yet the very
outreaching and persistent effort after such a hii
standard ol morality has been of incalculable blessim.
m developing a strength and manliness of character
among the educated classes, which otherwise would
have been impossible of attainment.
_ There is yet another great factor in the Chinese
civilization introduced into Japan, namely, Buddh-
ism, the greatest of them all in interest and
importance. Nothing at all is recorded regarding the
i^-oduction of Buddhism until nearly thr^e centuries
attei the invasion of Ji„gu Kong,, The year AD

tbf. r 'T T '^"" 'Y'' "^ ''' ^^"^■•'^^- l^ -- about

lis time t uU one of the kings of Corea sent over to

atue "' f^ '" '"""^ '''^'''y ^^ ^«"^- (l"-i-ts).
ments ' ^'^'y^'-''''^^' ^-^ ^--Ple orna-

But Buddhisin did not conquer Japan without a
lo ig and bi ter struggle. At that time, of course, the
Mikado and his court, and for that matter the J.eat
mass of the people, were all Shintoists; so that Ihese

' I i

ill
'f'l

11: U

102

JAPAN; THE LAND OF THE MORNING.

pr sents frojn ^r vassal (C<nva) were not at all
^velco.ue. H.S Majesty, therefore, hau<led over the
^^'lu)Ie paraphernalia of the foreio.,, faith to one of his
officers, who ha-l already l>econ.e a Buddhist, and
ro<,uested the Coreans to furnish hin. with scholars
and artists, nistead of priests and prayer-books He
also asked for physicians, apothecaries, soothsayers
and alnianac-niakers.

Nor were these first images of Buddha an,l the
temples eventually erected for them allowed to
ren.am undisturbed. The adherents of the old faith
•soon ma.le the peo,>le believe that the prevailino-
diseases and epidenucs. Iron, which they were then
«ut{ern,o-, were punishments from the native ^ods
because of the presence and worship of these foreio-n'
images. They were consequently destroyed and the
temples bu)-ned; but another supply was sent over
from beyond the straits. Buddhism was actively
pmpao-ated in the face of bitter opposition, until at
the en.l ot the sixth century the new faith had grown
so strong that the En.press 8uiko openly declared
her.self ni favor of it.

Indeed, during the reign of this empress a very

ively mtercourse seems to have been maintained

between Japan and the mainland. We are told of

Koma, one of the then independent states on the

Oorean pennisula, contributing 300 rios for an image

ot Bu.ldha for Japan ; as well as sending over sevenil

priests, one of whom, whose name was Duncho, proved

an accession in.leed. It was he who taught the

Japanese the preparation of paper and ink ; also, very

■ If*

not at all
over tlio
one of his
Uiist, and
li scholars
Joks. He
)oth.sayers

and the
lowed to

old faith
)revailiiinf
'ore then
ive g'od.s,
e forei^-n

and tlie
lint over

actively

until at
d grown
declared

a \-ery
intained

told of

on the
n imao-e

several
, proved
-•ht the
so, very

THE SCHOLAR AND THE PRIEST.

103

curious as it may seem, the use of millstones. This
nitercour.se, no douht, accounts for the fact that by
the end of the rei<rn of Suiko, Bu.ldhism had become
quite an important factor in the life of the nation.
Already it is said to have reared nearly fifty templ.^s
and had no less than fifteen hundred priests and
monks in the country.

While living in Japan, we picked up, in conversation
with some of the students one of those queer legends
connected with the introduction of Buddhism, which
have no doubt been handed down by the bonzes them-
selves. It is said that in the early davs, a little
Buddhist image was brought over from Corea, and
fell into the hands of one of the nobles of Japan,' who
gladly built for it a beautiful temple.

For a time all went well with this new idol and its
shrine, until famine and pestilence swept over the
face of the country in the immediate vicinity of this
temple. The people became convinced that all this
was a punishment from the gods of Japan for allow-
ing this new deity to find an abiding-place among
them. They therefore prayed their lord to burn
down the temple and destroy the image. This he
did, committing both the building and the god to the
flames. But it happened that this image was made
of platinum, and tiierefore could not be destroyed by
fire ; so, after the flames were extinguished, the little
god was found unharmed among the ashes. He was
tiien taken by one of the people and pitched as far as
possible into the sea, as a flnal eflbrt to rid themselves
of this troublesome little fellow.

I' I

' *3

(.:l

i^l

\,.i

JAPAN; THE LAND OF THE MORNING.
Jt IS scarcely lu-ccssai'v to sav fl.Mt H,; i
)" Mich a iiiainicr ^ On,. ,1.,,-., fi\.i

"''■'^''■«t,ne,. t,J;^;::';;r:J7■'"™'^'
vo.co lr„m l,,„o,.tli tl,,. wav,s vu-l,,,, ■ T

"H;:^«M::t:':r:i;t",::r;il."; ;'-•'•''

p.-ot,'t I'v '';\f ""'"^'"'""r '■« -"- t" tl.c. site of the
picsuitctj ,t N„ga„„,a,„I .stay«I tlu-,'o over „i..|,t

mm 1., to coMt.mu. I„,sj„„na.v, h. c„„l,l not ,„ove i
He then t„.s..d and pulie.l and strained n„„ t is

n mo^^ He tlien .said to ti.e people livin.. in tl,e

it^;:;;" "^^"'''' '■;': «°'' '" '-'*'-""jt:st :

".■<.lo, I cannot poss.Wy move ln-n,." TI.e peoole

*'",,'" *''"'■ '^"•""■"■■ity. Tiien tliey l,ec,u, to „nll

At leneth tl,e owner ot ti.e i.nase .said to tl,e people

^ow you see pLunly tl.at n,y go.! I.as el.osen tl,i as

a permanent al,idin«-place, .so ti,e l,est tlun« yo a„

do IS to g,ve na. a little piece of land, and l.eip n e "

erect a ten.ple." Their reply „.a.s tl.at thev woJ 1 <lo

NG.

I'is scheme
it an end to
Was I'rjw'iii""
'' lay, and
ii'l heard a
ake nie up
*'ill j)rosper
!'e water, a
tisliennan,
ce to place

•site of the
»ver nio-lit,
L' ground,
take it up
't move it.
now this
'ch would
ift" in the
'd to stay
H' people,
told him
, because
Buddhist

I to pull
t" results.
-' people,

II this as
you can
p nie to
'ould do

I I

11
a
a

w
le

"^'^f*=?»?«s!f^T?;

THE SCHOLAR AND THE PRIEST.

107

nothin^r of the kind, because they liad no use for any
such new-fano-led religion in that part of tlie country.
Thus the matter ended for that day. At nic^ht tlie
old man, thoroughly nonplussed and discouraged, lay
down to sleep, after having offered up a more fervent
petition than usual to the deity thus committed to his
charge. Morning came at lengtii, and with it a most
unexpected solution of the difficulty; for when the
man awoke, he found a great piece of land cleared all
around the idol, and prepared for the foundations of
a s[)acious temple. When the wondering people
gathered around again, he said to them, ' Now, you
see, I have got what I asked for." " Yes," they said,
"you miserable rascal, you have stolen our land
while we slept." To which he replied, " Well, then,
let each man of you measure his land, and find out if
what you say is true." This they did, and strange to
say, it was found that every man had just as much
land as he ever had. Thus, without even the slightest
tremor of an eartlKpiake, the round world had
become Just that much larger, in order to furnish this
favored deity Avith a permanent abiding-place.

This simple tradition is but an echo from a long
and bitter struggle. It took nine hundred years for
Buddhism to thoroughly establish itself in Japan.
And now, as we take in at a glance the whole history
of Buddhism, we see three famous characters which
cannot be passed over in silence. The first of these
is the great priest and scholar, Kukai, whose posthu-
mous name is Koba,of whom we have already spoken
as the probable inventor of the Japanese syllabary.

Ill

J
F

108

JAPAN; THE LAND OP THE MOllNINO.

U i

P to the .,,,1 of the eighth e,.„t,„-y the f,.te of
Bu,l,lh,«„, „,is .still uncerUin. True it 1„„ „ ,
■■ucene,! I,„,,enal .sanction, an.l th, .' 1 '".''^

-n --of „ne.sts and ten.ple.s i . I ,.f """^
P-,.h, howeve,, clun,, .so tenaeiou.siy to ,, ,■, i:

J^uaaiia, and Ls now enshrined in a Buddhist (..,..,
^.great renown, under the nan.e of H^u- n a f
this way the adJierents of tliese two e.-sf . I .

Jhese two .-elisions, together with Confnei„ni,s«,

THE SCHOLAR AND THE PRIEST.

109

then began to react upon each otlior in such a way an
to leave neither of them unchanged. The Bu.klhist
priest will descant on the divine descent of the
Emperor, and on the great virtue of loyalty as
earnestly as any Shintoist. while on the other hand
nnage worship and a modified system of doctrine and
ritual have found their ,vay into the naturally color-
less system of Shintoism.

Another very itnportant result of this relicrious
compromise is the different concepticai of reli.rion it
has given to the Japanese. There seems to be sSircely
a single conception among them of one religion bein-r
the only true one. Their promiscuous worship at
both Buddhist and Shinto shrines, and also their
veneration of Confucius and his teaching, seem to
give them the idea that, practically, any number of
religions may be adopted, their deities worshipped
and their injunctions obeyed, with profit to the
worshipper. This phase is one which is frequently
met with by the pioneer Christian missionary.

About eight years ago the great craze for western
civilization, which has recently swept over the
country, was then at its height. At that time even
the missionary was welcomed wherever he went, as
an exponent of this new life from beyond the Pacific.
Unique, indeed, were the experiences that awaited
him. Going into villages and towns in the interior
he was welcomed with open arms ; the best houses
were thrown open as meeting-places, and every time
he spoke, such buildings were packed with eacr^r
crowds. Sometimes one of the local orators of the

i.i

■%^'

'I ' 18,1

110

JAPAN ; THE r.AND OF THE MORNING.

place would p.-ehulo the a.Mn.s of the missionary

anity had lone for An.erica and Euro,,., and Low
nowa,.entlonutn ],ad eon.e iron, beyond 1 -a I

, L.J, ,,n(i, It It commended t.selF to tl.Pi'r

jud^nnent. to accept it Th,.n fl. •

in tl,.,t ,J, T ; , '"" "=""''"«« l.is work

r. iMt |>l, ee. L„t hnn seek t» „mke usu of the san.e

b " . M,«s to «„c,,k i,, „„., „„ ,,„, „,„, „„^ ,,;;•

« o ; 3; :''"'r' " n "'^ »"^-«'"'-"..» -m ai™

^^low smaller and sma ei- niifH ;,. ,

1 , •"•<uiLi, untn, m many casov flu.

poop e can l.„ eo„„t.,l „„ tl„. tinkers of botrhan C
and the ,n,»™„a,,. fl,„,„ ,,;,„«,f ,,,„,,;„, ,, J ; ^ ■
How. then, ,, tl,is to be aeco„„tecl foH I, t e
first place the people have „o idea of there b.i , It
one true rehgion. Every nation ,,„, ;,, „„' ",
w.h the worship of each comes ,ts peculiar bll;'
Conse,, ucntly, they think that now the wostem
e.v,I,.af„n has eon,e fron, beyond the seas, tie belt

anyplace the ,n,age of Christ right beside th^t of
Buddha, and , he "Sermon on the Mount" on the

lean that Christianity clain.s to be the only true
-hg,on n> the world, and that to become cltl"
tl.ey n,ust utterly renounce tl>e old faiths, throw

THE SCHOLAR AND THE PRIEST. HI

away their idols. ,l,.,sist from uncestrnl worship an.l
give up concnhi,.a^., thv,, they turn away in dis.n.st
saying. : " Ihe n.en who have turned the world m^i.le
.own. have con.e hither also." All this is doubtless
the result ot that ^n-eat con.pron.ise tau^dit by Kukai
away back in tiie early days.

Until nearly the fourteenth century, however
Bu<ldlnsn, contnuied to be the only reb^non of the
ofticm and nnlitary classes; or. in other words, it
was the reb^.ion of the aristocracy and not of the
connnon people. Now it is en.phatically the religion
o the connnon people and not of the aristocmey
Ihe tram ot events which has Jed to this m-eat
change is, therefore, of intense interest

Buddhisn. iu Japan has had its ^reat reformers,
and first and foremost aniong tJiese were Nichiren
and fehmran, founders of two of its n^st powerful
■sects. riiese were the men who broke down the
barrier of rank if not of caste, and swept the masses
n.to the Buddhist faith, until, by the time their work
was hnished, not a single strata of Japanese society
was left uninfluenced.

Tlie former of these, Nichiren, was born in the
year 1222 A.D., and as he grew up became a profound
s udent of tlie Buddhist classics. Up to this time
the common prayer of every Buddhist was. ' Ncum,
AmidaBictsa, which is nothing more than an invo-
cjition of the name of Buddha, as a means of salvation
Nichiren adopted anotlier prayer and watch-cry •
^wmu mio ho Ten <,,; ho," an invocation of the books
ot the law, as tlie only power by wJiich men could be

112

JAPAU; THE LAND OF TKK MORNfNO.

HaycMl. Thus .%„mu Awn/a Bats,, ,„.!„(« t(, Home-
t^.n.j,. „„ts,.l. uu. H .r/f ,« the powor of salvation Hut
iNichiron. by l.i.s new i,n<.-,iti(,n. la,M all tl.r stivs.s on
tlHMM.T.tof iHTsonal no.l,t.o„,sn,.s,s tl.n.u^rl, thooh.-.H-
encot the law. Not laith, l.ut works, was the
uurdon of Ins incssay-e.

Novor .li.l thnv arise s„eh a I.ittor antagonist to the
other Jiu.Mlnst sects as this ^ovat reforn.er. He hurle.l
Ins hnn.lerholts ao.ainst then, at every oj^portunity.
Ho tau^^ht that they were all false in their teaehinl
an.l eorrnpt in their practice, an.l that he alone was a
true exponent of J^n.l.lhistie .loctrine. Ho als<, puh-
iHhe,l a book calle,l An/,-oU Ii,,„, i„ ,,,,;,,, ^l ^^
bit^'Tly attacked the other sects that he raised a per-
ee. hov^. s nest about him. He was aceus,.! before
the civil authorities and banished to the peninsula
ot Idzu, part of Shidzuoka prefecture. Here lie
mnamod for throe years: but this di<l not cure him
Upon h.s release he ren.nve.l his attack with such
vehenumco that he wa.s thrown into prison by Lord
Hq,o lok.yori.and was finally condennied to death

Ihis brn,<,.s us to the story of In's n.iraculous
dohyorance, whicli is part of the reli<,nou,s faith of the
disciples ot this .Treat nthusiast.

The seat of feudal Government was then at Kama-
kura a lovely spot not many miles from the modern
Yokohama. Scarcely anythiui,. remains of its ancient
Kloiy except the renowned temple of Hachin.an, the
god oi War, and the great Daibutsu, ov image of Bud-
dha, now sc. famous for its size and beauty. Just a
little way farther along th ->. i.t from Kamakura i..

THE SCHOLAR AND THK IMUKST.

113

tli(M«x,inisit,.|y iM'autit'ul ihIuimI (.,,||,m1 Kn(,sl.ii„a, an.l
oppOHJU' this, on the iiminlaiid, is a iittl." vilianv.

Hfiv it was that this dcvotcMl saint was to huv lM.,.n
.'x.'eut.'d. \Vh..n I(-(l ont to the .sea-.shoro to ha v.. his
li.'a.l stricken off. Xichiivu l.n.-lt .loNvn upon th.« san.l
an.l .Ln-outly repeat.'.! his pra^vr, " Namn. mio ho
rer, f/r Horns he boned his h.-a.| I'or the fatal stroke.
Th.' .-xecutioner hTt -d hinh Ids swor.l an.l was hrin^r.
hi-,' it .lown ui)on th.. n.-ok ol' his victim with t.'rriHc
torce, wh.'n su<l.lenly,as a lj..It out of a cl.«ar skv, a
ri()<).l of hlin.linir li<rl,t Imrst ov.-i' the scone. The
exiicutioner an.l his f.-jjows w.-re .laxed, and ere the
swor.l coni.l do its \v.)rk it was hi-oken in piecs an.l
fell harndess to th.' uroun.l. T.'rriti.'d l)y this awful
si<,ni of Heaven's .lisi^j.-astu'e, the official in char^re of
the executi.ai sent a niesseng.'r to report the nnnicu-
lous deliverance to their l.a-.l, and to be<,' a r.^prieve
for the holy num. Hut yon.ler a swifter courier has
alrea.ly foun.l his way into the palace. Just at the
same moment that the li<rht shot from heaven to
interpos.' in the saint's behalf, Hojo was arre.stod in
the midst of his revels by a terrific flash of lio-htnin<r
and an awful roar of thunder, when th.'re was not
even a sio;n ,,f a clou.l in the sky. Deeming this to
bo a token of the displeasui-e of the gods, and at once
cofinectiuf!- it witl ti.e executi.m of ^ichiren, he
ordered one of his vassals to ride swiftly and counter-
mand the (jrder for the execution. These two met on
the way, only to tell each other of the wonderful
intervention of Heaven, and to return carrying with
them the well-nigh heaveu-.sent pardon.
8

i I !^

1 1

114 JAPAN; THE LAND OF THE MORNING.

Nicliiren and liis cliRcipIes wont ainong the common
people like flaming tires, arousing intense enthusiasm
on every hand, until this new sect, which sprang up
and spread so rapidly, Ix-came the synonym for rant-
ing zeal and wild fanaticism. The very intolerance
and bigotry they manifested in their teachings, and
the bold a,ssumption that tliey alone were the peculiar
people— in the line of Apostolic succession— of the
ancient saint of India, were the very elements which
gave them their mighty hold on the people, and that
at a time when the other sects had lapsed into a
careless lethargy.

The name of Nichiren still lives among the Japanese
in a most peculiar manner. Nor is this simply from
the fact that, even to this day, there is not a more
bitter or fanatical sect among the Buddhists, or that
still they exert a mighty influence over the minds of
the ignorant and superstitious. Yc^ider, in the
Province of Koshiu, of which Kofu is the capital, in a
lone valley among the encircling mountains, and not
far from the Fuji River, the bones of this old saint
rest. Buc the spot is not by any means a forsaken
one, for his followers have reared there a costly
temple, and motley is the throng that visits the spot.
From all parts of the Empire, where devotees of this
sect may be found, the pilgrims of all classes flock to
the sacred shrine. Among these the most pitiful are
the lepers. It is said that by touching the bones of
Nichiren, these wretched creatures may be cured of
their awful disease, and .so they wend +heir weary
way thither in hope of healing. It is not, therefore,

THE SCHOLAR AND THE PRIEST.

115

common
thusiasm
orang up
for rant-
:oleraiice
ngs, and

peculiar
—of tJie
bs -which
md tliat
[ into a

apanese
>ly from

a more
or til at
linds of
in the
tal, in a
and not
d saint
n'saken

costly
le spot,
of this
lock to
ful are
ones of
ared of
weary
srefore,

an uncommon thinrr alon^:^ the highways of Koshiu,
to meet them in all their loathsomeness.

We shall never forget the first time our eyes were
startled and our hearts filled with pity at one of these
horrible spectacles. It was a specimeii of the red lep-
rosy. He was a large, tall fellow, clad in tatters, and
the moment our eyes rested on him, that description
of the prophet Isaiah's flashed through our mind:
" From the sole of the foot even unto the head there
is no soundness in it: hut wounds and bruises and
putrefying sores, neither bound up, neither mollified
with ointment." He looked as though he had been
beaten with a club from head to foot, until he was
red and black and blue, and the great ulcerous sores
were all laid bare through the scantiness of his filthy
rags. Pitiful does it seem tiuit there is no better hope
for these afflicted ones than in the dried-up bones of
one who, though he was powerful while living, himself
saw corruption in death. Often have we wished that
the Saviour could again walk among the children of
men for the sake of those pain-stricken and despair-
ing ones, who thus grope in the outer dai-kness.

This thirteenth century, in the dawn of which
Nichiren first saw the light, gave birth also to the
second of these great Buddhist reformers, Shinran.
Although not a whit behind his predecessor in the
extent and influence of his life and work, he was a
man of very ditterent character. No celibate or
fanatical recluse was he. Married himself, he taught
that there was nothing in the pure doctrines of
Buddha to enjoin upon its priests an ascetic life.

'i ■'

I I

; f ■
I I 1

TJIK XNTERIOB OF A UCUDIIIST TliMl'lJ.;.

fJflSaiiarffi

THE SCHOLAR AND THE PRIEST.

117

The temples of the Sliin sect, founded by Shinran,
are not in the h)Mely |)laces where nothinf^ is lieard
l»ut tlie dismal moan of the pine tree, nor are there
any monastei-ies or nunneries in connection with them.
They are always found in the busy centres of popula-
tion, as if to In-in^- a blessing to the people in the
midst of their daily toil.

The doctrines of Shinran were also very ditfei-ent
from those of Nichiren. He taught a sort of justifica-
tion ly faith in Buddha without the works of the
law; and while he enjoined earnest prayer and purity
of life upon his f(,iiowers, yet he attached but little
importance to all isolation from society, i)enances,
fastings and pilgrimages. His was an every-day
religion for the family and the busy toilers in the
ordinary walks of life. Consequently no other form
of Buddhism has become so popular in Japan. Every-
where the stately temples of this sect are to be seen
with their great slo))ing tile roofs, towering high
above the humble dwellings of the people, with th^ir
immense portals often ornamented with beautiful
carvnigs, and with their gorgeous shrines and magniti-
cent images within. To many of these temples even
now the connnon people thi-ong, day in and day out,
in unceasing procession; so that no matter when one
may enter there, many devout woi-shippers, bowed
low upon the mats in front of the idols, can always
be seen.

Thus, Buddhism, with its devout, self-sacrificing
enthusiasts, with its magnificent temples and
attractive ritual, and above all, with its exhortations

it !

ill

118

japan; the land of the mornino.

to a .solf-sacriflcing;, religious life, won the ,ky over
the eo, I .uulowy, lifeless for.,,., of Shintoi.a, and
pervad«l the wliole life of the con.itry

In the popular cle.sc,iption.s of heathen religions
wlueh have o„nd their way into our home; a-Id

ne,'^;r '"";,"■""'' °f ""^^''- "•"'' ■'■•gend., their base
fupeist.t.ons, the.r ynoraut idoIat,-y and thei,' revolt-
ing and cruel practices. All thi.s is doubtless true
and ,t serves the purpose of co„t,-astin« heathenis„;
« 1 the e.xalte, fa,th of the Cln-ist of Na.areth.
&tdl there ,s another side to those ancient religions of
the Onental world, and one which the earnest^tudent
ot lunuau.ty cannot attbrd to overlook. God ha,
.-.ways loved the Orieut. and ha, guided the religions

■e„,,n,e,;t of H,s children there, Just as .nuchas He
; , ' " ' r ''"^"""' '" '"= '■«'■» in the light of

,t™ ri . ,""■,"" '"'" "'■ R«W«'»'--s shone
..po., us h,-.,t, but that does not .„ean that we have a

mo.,opoly of all Gods light. He .nade the n.oon and

the stars also, and they are as "lights i., a dark

place unt.l the day-dawn au.l the day-star appears."

: 1 '^;'""' 'V""''' "■"' '"'' "''•°"«' "'^■'"■°'-«. - «" he
c He, Bu, Iha "The Light of Asia "-not su.,ligl.t,

but starliglit. ^

Would that we had space to tell the story of
Buddha, and all that he did for that ..-eat Asitie
Continent. It nuist suffice, however, to portray such
sahent pon.ts of his life and doctrine as are necessary
in ioming a correct estinuite of what his religion has
done for Japan. *

Of noble birth was Gautama Ruddha, and in early

THE SCHOLAR AND THE PRIEST.

119

life a thorouo-li-goincr votary of pleasure. But after
the threshold of manhood had been crossed, he came
face to face with old av^e, disease and death, and the
fact that no matter what are the circumstances in
wiiich a man may find himself the end is the same,
even pain and sorrow. Tlien, another type of Imman
life came befoi-e his notice. He saw the ascetic
denying himself of all the luxuries and pleasures of
existence, and walkin(,^ calm and fearless amid the
surrounding corruption and despair. This led
Gautama to suddenly tear himself away from his
beloved wife and new-born babe, too-ether with all
the glories and honors of caste and public life, and to
seek the society of the recluses in order to find the
path oJ complete con(pi(>st over evil and sorrow. The
search was a long and bitter one. At first, dis-
appointments were his oidy reward. Temptations to
return to home and friends pressed him vei'v sore.
Even the companions drawn to him by his terrible
fastings and penances forsook him dissatisfied, when
he turned again to a more rational manner of life.
At last, however, light broke in upon his soul.
^ Wandering one day out towards the banks of the
Nairangara, he received his morning meal from the
hand of the daughter of a neiglil)oring villager, and
sat down in the shade of a large tree, to be known
from that time as the sacred Bo Tree, or Tree of
Wisdom. Here he remained in meditation through-
out the long hours of the day, trying to decide *\m
what course next to pursue in his cearch as yet so
unsuccessful. Again his old temptations besJt him

. ^

' ii

I H

•I

1 »

«,

'A'-AM; TIIK I.ANI. .),.' T„„: Mo,tNIN(J.

Willi I rcini'iKJoiis fill II I I I

, , '" "'• '""' iHCni,,,. I, ,or,H|u|,|,

;•;;:""•"•' "'"'-'" "'-.v. < <.i i c

'"'■''•••"•••^.^ HiiW wn.s nul, uurll, (|,, ,.||
tl'.'iii. Ih.I .slill nnu, ul,,.,, IIh. nn.Ml uns

. ",» ;.; ' n'nuiiiir.l

I'M.dTIIr.SM 1111,1 u,,s i,.,|^ u,.i'l. Ih,. ,r . , . .

H.MM. I,„ ,,(,1 „.,„.„ |,.„,l„.n,„„l„„.r„||„r,|,,

";''7;--- ' - .."i'l^ n,,.,v,ii„,:,,

'■■■':;'«';;"■"■'•""" "|«m..' i. i „.„.,„,,,:

i. ''■;"'■"';"■■"'"■; '-"^ ^^■"■y.n.i. ,■.■,.„,.. ,..

;"'"'""^ "'■■;■''-■■ I— I " ivv,.,,i,.,i i,r

<li<'i-«' lllldn- llir l;,, 'I

'•'•'• Slr;iii-v|_v |...\v. Trill „H,,s(,

'7','"7"': -■«-- iir,.|i IV ,i„.ii|„„ri,i,„

':';:'7"";-:''" •'■' •" .si.™,«,.,„„

,"'1 '';■! -"..i.i.s,,..,i,.„ni,i„ ,,,;j

tlic INirvjtiiJi.

<;'■-— .<l-Hi..MinsMM.n,.,.|,v,u..«,h il^.ln.osl

;•''■'"•;'-"' i'-;^n>ss .n„on.,.n. a,,..l i,|,.|a,,,.v, is .>„lv a
:";'^^' '"• '^"l"v..H. n..in.-. nor .|i.| I.,. ,s..|, |.,.r.„,, ,„•,

cIa..niolHMM.,l,nv...luifi. H,.y.livin..ul,(,nl>u(,,.,s Ho
«>'..ply tuM.l.t that, in M.i.s n.oH.il 111'., u„,,„ ,,,,^

'IIIK S<'II()I,AII AN If rilK I'UIKST. I i> I

iHtlliiiio- I, III, r()iTii|il,iuii jiimI <lr,iili, and ,i;i |,,.,.f mm a
mail cliiiM'' |,o (,|ii,s liiiiiinii cs i.'ilrncr (Jmiv (mhiM he
imdiiii;^- Inr him ImiI, iiiriati-ilicd loiiHinuM nml lunv
'!"'''''' ''>il. "i"l "nil iiM flinlJi caiiir, iKiUiiiM'' lo Ixt
l(M.Lc.| furwaid lo lull, I'oivvcr Ihmum- |,o.s,'iri| a Ih.iiI, on
I. lie liilldWM <»r ciKJIcs.s I iaiiMiii;4ial,i(iii,s.

Tlicii (iaiilaiiia, laiinlil, tlial, il, i.s rvil drsiiv |,|ial,
'•'ii'l'-i '•' iiiiiii (<> tlii.s mal,crial is isl.cncr. How rlini
(■n,ii III' Hvl, till (,r 1,1, JM l.ciiililc chiiiii and ri.sr iniaiici-
|'''il'''l ^ "'• '•aiiiiul, do il, \,y ,sii|i|»rc.sHiii;^f lii.M l.ody,
'"■•■'••"i'^"' i< is I III' nioriil i'\il wliicli alliT all is l,lii;
one ;^r,'i'al, li'niiMr. H' a, man hy hi.s di.S('i|.lini' add.s
\'''l"(' 1,1. Iii;^ iiiiiai.' I.adni'.s.s, all Uir hi'iii'lil, lir will
'l"'i\'' •"'■i.ni il, will l.r llial, a,l, d.-aili Iw will oM.ain u
lii/^lnr I'linii l.r malciial life ; sl.ill In- is cliniiiid lo Mu;
awliil rai'k oT rinlli'ss liaiisiiiiHraiions. Only tlii^
(•.(»iii|)li'l,i' ii|iri.ol,iiiu- of all inl.oiii I'vil will srl, liini
lr<'('. And )i,;^ji,in llic i|iii'sl,ion ariiics, I low n,r<'i.iii|)lisji
iJiis!' To Uiis, (Jaiila,iiia,'s ri'|.ly is, " Im.IIow iJn- Tour-
fiild wa,y 1,1) Mil' NIrixuKi,."

Ill ordiT now l,o coiiiiiri'ss l.lii'si' l,l'a(•llillL^s iiil.o uh

' r~i

1. Misi-ry a,lwa,ys accomi.anii'M i'\isl,cnc('.

2. All niodi's l.r i',\isl,rn('i' ri'siill, from pa.ssion iuid
d(!sii'f.

'{. 'riicri' is no i'Hca|»(' IVoiii cxIsIi'Ikm! ('Xci'pl, \,y Uk'.
• Icslniction oj" di-sirc.

4. Tliis may In- a,('(;oiii|.lislii'd l.y rollowin.r IJk; iouj--
luld vvjiy to Nii-V!iiiu.

lilr

Pf •< j

122

japan; the land of the morning.

'riii.s fourfold way is as follows :
I. Awakeninc. — Men in i]u> ]^U^^..,.
te nal y lean. l,.nv utterly ,„..a,,,,,,„ , .„i,J,;

to *

lie.e.sy, unk„„ln«,, vexation, t,l,o clin.ax l„.i„„ „„i
versal cliarity. " "

4. Nirvana, i.e., non-exixtence

B.ulclhi,sn,, i„ its pure foi-n,, know.s nn i ,„„,i.,|

e.,.sto„co whatevor. Nov,.- «..« tl.o.v a ,„n, ,
ofal,„,.,,nt„,.,nulat,.,l; an,l yot on ac,-., n(, „f

ir« ;:■:•,'' """ '.'^ ■^'""■™'"»>- °- ""• "-.it

n th. rol,g,„u., evolntion going on in tl„' I,,,,,- ,

n te elulclhood, n,„n bowed down before tl... n.ani.
fe.s at,on., of foree, and worshipped tl,e gods „r ,,

and erne ty; and so wo have Molocl, and tbe .1 g,,, !
nant w,tl, he,r awfnl expiations of tortnre and ,^1
Rehg,„ns I.ke Bnddl.isn, mark tl.e turni w ^

.■om these and the exaltation of un.selHsln^s I ^

\\hat te«,ples are now thronged with devote.! i.r-
.h.pper.. The te.nple of Hachin,an, the god o C
o t e oU,er shnnes erected to n.artial spirits 1 Not
at all. Ihe temple.s tliat to-day call to their altars
then™lt.tudesofpilgri,„s from all parts of tl'e '.l:;,^

THE SCHOLAR AND THE PRIEST.

123

are Kwanoii, tlie mxkless of ]\Iei

^(k1 of Helpfulness, and others of tl

cy, and Zenkoji, tlie

was this new 1;

le same class. It

iw of universal charity which (rave

Buddhism its pecidiar charm, and which ^ave it th
power to Imild up such a wonderful civilization there
in the far East.

The other factor, which had nearly everything to
do with the rapid spread of the reli<rion of (Jautama,
was the wonderful personality of its founder.
Buddhism has had her devoted self-sacrificin(r mis-
sionaries. It was the exaltation of the personality of
Buddha, until at last it was deified in the popular
mind, that gave that faith its tremendous hold and
sent it over the land as a flame of fire. Yet, when
only taking into account the good that is in it, we
compare it with the suhlime revelation of the Lord
Jesus, how wide the gulf appears between them. No
God and Father, no heaven of complete and triumph-
ant existence, no loving Spirit coming into the
contrite heart and breaking the fetters of evil,
Buddhism sinks into utter insignificance when it is
placed in competition with Christianity. Let it but
cast its crown at the feet of Immanuel by humbly
owning that, as far as it was an embodimeirt of
spiritual truth, it was l)ut a broken light from the
great central Sun of Righteousness, to guide the wan-
dering feet of the Asiatic toward the coming day-
spring, and Buddhism will then shine with a glory
of its own.

What then has Buddhism done for Japan ? It has
done everything but emancipate the people from sin.

124

JAPAN; THE LAND OK TJIE MOUNINQ.

^ f • """f ":;" ^ ''-"'-l-n says, in his ,ul.nintMo
l.tt .MV..1V' I lnn«^s Jupunese^- "All ..lunttion was for
centun.s ,„ Bu.l.lhist 1.h„.|s. B„.|,lhis,M intro.lucv.I
art nK.,|,euu., ,no„i,!.„l the folk-lore of tlu- country.
-tU.I ,ts dra.nut.c poetry, deeply inlhu-nced politics
.Hi ev,.ry sphere of social un<l intellectual ac-tivity.
In a word, Buddlnsn. was the teacher under wIkksc
instruction the Japanese nation ^n^^v up." To this
suecmct staten.ent only another word from our stand-
point ,s necessaiy. One of the first thi„^.s that
stnkes the visitor to Japan as j>eculiar is the extreme
politeness and gentleness of the Japanese. Nor does
tns kindly spirit merely extend to the treatment of
I".l.s or iellowmen; the animals even partake of
the benehts of ,t. To an American it seems pccu-
liar to witness the familiarity of the crows whicli
withou he_ sli,-htest fear of harm, alight right on
the road l.eside one, or even take food from the verv
coorstep where one is standing. In fact, these l>ean-
titul traits are found evezywhere, and in the higiu'st
types of Jai>anese life are developed to a remarkable
clegiee. It is this that makes life among and associa-
tion with the people of that land so pleasant to the
miss:onaiy who himself is of a broad and kindly
spiri ._ ISow, there is not the sligl^test doubt that
all this IS due to the influence of Buddhism. No
adherent of that faith, if faithful to his cree<l, could
ever be an intolerant persecutor, and its strict pro-
|il.i ions against the wanton destruction of animal
ife have all eonspn-ed to mould the Japanese char-
acter after this kindly fashion. Under the surface

i| P

THE SCriOLAR AND THE PRIEST.

125

one is conscious, however, of tlic suine cold, .selfish,
• l.'ceitfnl chanicteristics met with elsewheiv ; hut
still, is it not l.ettei- tlKit the exterior, nt least, should
take on tin- ^uise of i)hilaiithro])y rather than that of
an uolv lii-utality which characterizes other heathen
nations :*

But Buddhism has fallen. With the fall of feudal-
ism, m lS(j,S, she lost her o-overnment |)atrona;r,>, a
jrreat ]).•■, -t of her ^dcl.e lands were confiscated,'" and
she had to fall hack upon the voluntary ^ifts of a
careless people. Since then this ancient faith has
fallen on very evil days. .Many of her altars are left
to the moles and to the bats ; hei- temples, in a num-
ber of places throu^diout the country, are fallino- into
decay ; the revenues of the priesthood are bein^- fear-
fully reduced, and a gene)-al sense of disheartt^ment
and gloom hangs over the whole system.

A friend of ours was wont to visit frequently some
of the lovely .spots on the other side of Tokyo Bay.
While there, his attentif)n was attracted to a very fine
old temple M'hich evidently had once seen l)etter days.
Often he went in through the open gateway and up
to the great portal, and looked in at the magnificent
shrine, but all Avas silent as the grave. Tho path
was overgrown with moss, and scarcely a sign of a
footstep could be found anywhere. At this he won-
dered greatly, until one day meeting the priest in
charge, he asked him, in the course of a conversation,
if he had any parishioners in connection with the
temple. To this the priest replied :

" Certainly, sir. Don't you see all those villaf^es

■■' 1 f

I '

120

JAPAN; THE LAND OP THE MORNINO.

ficattcn..! al...ut in yonder vnlloy ? They are all

pai'iNiuoncrH

<'ll, Imt do tluy ever visit the toniplo ?

'Yes, certain I y
When do tl "

H'V conio ?

(I 'I'

of tl

H'y com.- uhrn they die, and I l.iiry them.
HH Ks hy no means true oF ail the tempi

U' most

popular h

pics.

tod

liousands of dc
worslnppors. who keep up a c<mstant procession to
HM.I from their shrines, at all hours of the day ami
trom years end to year's end. But who come to
worslnp at these shrines ? ])o the educated, the
rvhm'^l, or those „f hioh de^n-ee ? Scarcely ever
Could you take your stand there ],y one of those
great pillars near the portal and scan the faces of
the devotees as they pass, you would then realize as
never before, that Hu.Mhism has lost her hold on all
but the lo-norant and sui)erstitious.

Her downfall is almost wholly due to the ^n,ulual
degradation of her priesthood. As wealth and
political influence increased, zeal, devotion and purity
of lile decline.1, and be who was once the great
statesman, reformer and school-master, at wbose feet
tor centuries the noblest sons of the nation sat is
now a synonym for laziness and ignorance, 'so
utterly sordid have the Buddhist priests become that
over two-thirds of them do not know what they are
saying as tliey mumble their prayers.

The reflex influence of this upon the cultured and
intelligent people of the country has been very
deplorable. Now, as they turn again to their old

THE SCHOLAR AND THE PRIEST. 127

Confucian philosophy and to Shintoisn,, which th.-y
scarcely chnntctcrizo as .vii^^ions, they assert proudlV
that rcl.^ion is hut a hollow superstition to enthrall
the nnn.l c.f the base an.j i^n.orant for a restraint
upon then,. Th,. .^reat foe of the missionary, the.v-
tore ,s not th,. ancient relictions an.l their <lev<,tee,s
but hauo-hty an.l cultuiv.l scepticism, which sits
enthrone.1 in hi^^h places. What is nee.le.l in Japan
to-day IS a reli^no,, in which reason an.l th." super-
natural clasp hands in the daily lives of holy n.en
of Go,l. who walk not after the liesh hut after the
spirit.

I ;

!r i .']

( l-

old

CHAPTER V.

THE STRUGGLE FOR THE MASTERY.

There is nothing tluit so mucli impresses the visitor
from tlie Occident, in liis tiuvels thi-on<rli Jiipjin, as
the marks of ao^e wliicli greet tlie eye on eveiy hand.
True, lie may now ride for hundreds of mih's in a
modern railway carriao-e, or make use of the telegi-aph
or telephone just as he does at iionie, and all around
him may be the evidences ol' the modernizino- influ-
ences of the west, yet scarcely a road can be trav-
ersed, scarcely a town visited, without a glimpse being
obtained of some time-worn, weather-beaten monu*^
ment of ancient days. Often, while speeding along
in the railway train, we catch a glimpse of the great
walls surrounding some celebrated castle, and t'liere,
over the great fortified gateways, the gleaming white
towers with tlieir curiously sloping and pointed rocjfs,
and on the top of, or at least within the walls, the
(jueer old, gnarled pine trees planted by liands long
since returned to the dust.

Or again, wandering out of the modern town, we
stund)le upon some lone relic of long-departed glory :
the dry, grass-covered moat, the old stone bridge in a
state of collapse, and the great yawning portals from
which pillar and roof and gate have h)ng since either
rotted or been burned away.

THE STRUGGLE FOR THE MASTERY.

129

In we o-o b.l,in.I wnlls fuirly black witl. a<ro and
now all „h;s,s-c-<.v,mv.1 an-l vine-onwivathod, tlien
urourid another wall and np Hi^bts of stone steps tea

OCTKK WALL AND MOAT OK TOKYO CASTLK.

lii^ier terrace, and then up acrain to the highest of

thmn all, where we look out over town and villacre

and open country, and perchance catch a siVht of the
bl . . . -

sea, with its white sails in the disti

mce.

ill

It < u

IftH

130 JAPAN; THE LAND OF THE MORNING.

Often heave we wished tliat tlie very stones .around
us niiglit speak, to tell us of the feet "that trod upon
them, of the arrows tliat rebounded from their iiinty
sides, and of the nimble warriors who perchance have
scaled them. Or, as we have leaned ac^ainst one of
those ancient pines an<l heard the moaning of the
wind through the branches, we almost fancied we
could catch the plaintive story of the good old days,
when a proud and joyous host sat beneath their
shadow, and that old castle, tlien so young and
strong, was the centre of all the life and activfty for
miles around. But now its glory is departed, the
walls are broken down, the old palaces and barracks
have been given to the flames, and wild desolation
reigns. These are now all that is left of old Japan,
except those dismal cities of the dead, with their
blackened grave-stones, dotting the country every-
where. Yet, nevertheless, these moiu^iuents are redo-
lent with the memories of the past ; and would that
we could get some " Old Mortality " of Japan to tell
us the stories of which these ruins are the forceful
reminders.

Our story brings us now to Japan of the Middle
Ages ; and as in this one chapter we must needs take
in a great sweep of history, we can only try to select
a few of the dry Ijones that lie scattered over the
valley, and jnitting l)one to bone and covering the
whole with flesh, breathe into these creations some-
thing of the l)reath of life and interest. It is our
purpose to restore those ancient castles, and people
them with the warriors of the ancient d;

'iy«;

that

THE STRUGGLE FOR THE MASTERY. 131

and talk with so.ne of the men that made old Japan

the pohtical changes brouc.ht about by the intro.hic-
tion ot Chinese civilization. It abolished the semi-
baj^aroiis feurlalism of primitive Japan, it developed
a distinctly military class among the people and it
suiTounded the ruler with .,11 ih . ^P^e ana it

rnv..If,, • 1- , ! ^'^'- ^''^y trappings of

loyalty, in which the nations of the Oriint have
even excelled their Occidental sisters. A more im
portant change, however, was the creation of a court

Mention has already been made of the unique fact
that only one dynasty (of 12. emperors) has sat upon

a^iothei less .ulmirable peculiarity, namely, that from
he introduction of Chinese civilization, right down
to he revolut..n of 1808, the Mikados hive bee

"temlTT ''Z '''' '^""•"- ^'^•"^' --'-1 «f them

the t ;"; r '? '""' '^ ^'^^ ^p --^ ^-ak

the fetters which bound them, but all to no purpose
and so nothing remained for them but abdicatln and
seclusion.

The court nobles sprang from tlie family of the
M.kado. wh.eh. on account of an elaborate system of
concuhnage, grow very rapidly. The Lnperial fan.ily
has no d,stn,ct,ve name, but as younger children
became the heads of fannlie.s, eacl, of^hese we"
designated by special ,suruau,es. Consequently, in a

I't time,

several of these surrounded the throne and

monopolized the whole system of

I ? ,-

ii ^

government. Then

[•;, ' — ^" f

!^:

'■M • '■

132 JAPAN; THE LAND OF THE MORNING.

gradually it came about that certain offices became
the hereditary ]io.ssessioh of certain definite families.
Now, it is not our purpose to inflict upon tlie reader
many of tliese difficult Japanese names ; and yet a few
of those of the great houses which have ruled Japan
will be absolutely necessary, as milestones along the
road upon wliich we ;a-e travelling. Three of these
stand out pre-eminent as the history-makers of that
country during the Middle Ages. It was the great
Fuju/ara family that first intervened between the
Mikado ..nd iiis people, until the former was nothing
more than a pu])pet in their !iands. It was the Taira
and Minamoto families who threw another great
circle of tyranny and intrigue arcnuid the palace and
court, until all life and authority were utterly
crushed, and Japan lay prone under the heel of a
terrible military despotism.

Jn A.D. «88, thr office of the Kwambaku, i.e., "The
bolt inside the gate," was created, and fell into the
hands of a member of the Fujiwara family. This
office was at first simply a regency over an emperor
not yet of age, but it finally obtained permanent
possession of the throne and its occupant, and
administered the government without let or hind-
ran^.e. Formerly every subject of the realm had the
privilege of directly petitioning the Crown, but now
the Mikado became such a sacred being that a screen
always intervened to hide Ids face from the people.
His feet never were supposer^ to touch the ground,
and he simply became a name to juggle with. Now,
every petition, every communication from the pro-

THE STRUGGLE FOR THE MASTERY. I33

vinces, canio iut„ the ]uvn<].s c,f tho Finnvara -uul

office both at tl,„ eapifU a,.,l i„ 'th. proviue J v h
thou- own pe„„lc, a„,l literally po.,eLl botV tl 'a
tliroiic and the country.

y.tem of greed; ,„e„ of p,obity and intelli.,:„ee
«l.ohad too n„u.h nmnhood to play the syco.A™!'
But they spent the,,- .strenstb fo,- nanght a°,d Hke
many anothe. in all land.s and «y.stem,s, g^ve t 1. 1 ife
to what appeared to be a useless struggfe Poster y

the oppressor has beeon.e but an en.pty nan.e the
:"en,ory of the patriot, who fonght and^h^d deVnte 1
.« .surrounded by a bright hab of reverence an i'
ever a grow„,g power to inspire noble thor it nd
purposes .„ the heart, of n.en. So it wash d
J.ipan l|,ere ,s not the name of a single Fuiiwun

", , I' '"""■'' '="»'"'^'- «™ «« first great

■scholar an,l author of Japan. It was he who w ote
or con,p,led the first historical writings. ^2^
h.s leannngand pre-en,inent ability, he fose t b on
of the tot nnn,.sters of the Crown, and e^ercited
great n,fluence for good throughout the nat on but
hs very greatness proved his downfall. He wis an
obstacle m the way of the compl *"

Fuj

iwara

and

_ ete supremacy of the
was therefore doomed. Profligate

134 JAPAN; THE LAND OF THE MORNING.

s .

courtiers poisoned the mind of the Emperor arrainst
him, and he was sent into exile, away in Kiushiu. From
there lie tried to ^et a petition before the Emperor,
but all to no avail; the Fujiwara lield the "inner
bolt of the door" to his presence. At last, just at
the beginning of the tenth century, this noble patriot
died of starvation. Yet he is by no means forgotten.
The posthumous name of Tenjin has been given him,
temples have been erected to liis memory, and he lias
become the patron saint of literature and education.
It is to him that the Japanese children pray as they
try to master those difficult Chinese ideographs, and
students of all classes invoke his aid as they stru(''(de
up the steep acclivities of scholarly attainments.
Who would not rather be a iMicliizane than a
Fujiwara ?

The court by this time had become very voluptu-
ous and exceedingly corrupt. Not only was the
old martial spirit well-nigh extinct, but self-gratifi-
cation antl love of ease had .so sapped the manly
strength of the scions of the Fujiwara that they were
unable to hold the supremacy they liad already
acquired. So wedded were they to the luxury of the
Imperial court that, Avhen appointed to a government
position in any of the provinces, they w^ould secure
the services of a deputy to go and perform their
duties for them. Nor was there peace in the
provinces. The Japanese were, as yet, little better
than bands of pioneers, ever extending the bounds of
their habitation by wresting the land from the
barbarians by whom they were surrounded. It

w^'uii^

THE STRUGGLE FOR THE MASTKRY. I35

require.!, therefore, ,uen of sterner stuff than the
Fujnvara courtiers to hol.l in check the wiM huvless-
ness ot this ancient frontier life. Wldle, therefore
an was ease and etfen.inacy at the court, out on ti::
htkl the warnor spirit was bein^r fostered and
■s ven.thened by the privations of th^ can.p Ind h
stru-o-le with the foe. ^

inctn.!^r/'!'-^^'''' ^'''"' ^''"^'''''^^y ^>''^'^^' "tterly
mcapa tated tor warlike exploits, there spran,. up

wine, all down throu^di subsequent centuries pu
-to tb. , ,a all the ,reat warn^ Bo

of these fannhes had their ori.nn in th ■ Imperial
eour, right under the shadow of the Fuiiwari^

cii-u 7 ''; ^ '""'"!"' ''''''' ^'^'^'^^ ^-its of
c a act.r which mted them for duty in the field,

many laira and Minanioto men M-ere made military
chiefs and despatched to the front to subdue the
barbarians and hold the provinces in subjection

Our story must now follow the fortunes of the
laira chm, as ,t emerged into notoriety first It is
in connection with the name of a Taira that we f^rst
meet with the word Shogun, so iinportant in J^ail::!

gen al of the army, an office which we find bestowed
on the leading member of the Taira family ^-hen

field ihe laira fShoguns were sent away to the
south west, and there won renou-n. Very differ
would haye been the records of history \ad th 4
generals been content

III

remain in the field. But

^iili

I (ill

JAPAN; THE LAND OF THE MOHNING.

victory after victory was fraine.l, and as the iiilli„Mu-o
of the family increased at the capital, these uiou lusted
for the spoils of office, and Taira won..-n aspirrd to he
tho mothers of future emperors.

The history of the rise and fall of any ^nvat family
or dynasty all clusters around a few ^reat names It
was so with the Tairas. In fact, only one name clain.s
mention on these pages, namely, that of Kiyouiori.
Itwasjustatthe time when the Taira were gravi-
tatmg from the field to the court, that this uum was
born, himself the fruit of unrestraine.l d.-sire. Of
very striking appearance was this young Taira, chief-
tain. Stout of frame and arrogant in spirit, i-ven in
his teens he became a noted character at the eai)i(al.
It IS said that he wore exceedingly high clogs, which
added to his strange appearance, and in coirse(|uenee
his companions gave him the name of Ko/w,/,,, the
Japanese appelhition for that kind of foot-gi'ar.

No effeminate courtier was young Kiyomori. '|'Ii(>
martial blood of his fathers was in his 'veins and he
thirsted for the camp and the clash of arms. N oi- d id
he contentedly sit down and wait for a commission
When he was eighteen years of age the s(>a swarnu'd
with pirates, who ravaged the coast of l.oth .Inp,.,n
and Corea, and became a terrible scourge to those
countries. Against these Kiyomori asked to be sent
and his request being granted, he was soon in tiio'
thick of the fight. That beautiful Suwo Na<la, the
Inland Sea, was infested with these vermin ; and in
and out among its beautiful isles, he met, defeatc'd
and chased his enemies until at last, by wonderful

THE STRUGGLE FOR Tli,. MASTERY. J 37

deeds of viloi. i, 1 1

only a lay «,.„,-. to ll '""I «l.-«uiy beco.ne

of poiitii, ?n;;j:^ ;■",:;" ;■'>■-.- theti.,.

tlii'oiio. Tl.c. F„ii„-.,,,, ,., " ' """■"' "«■"■'<» the
It only ncwlod a „val, of":, ? * t ™"'"I" tlwt

«-ho,efaMc;r;,:.:,:;:^^^^^^^^^^^

families entered tl.o i;«f . • "^ *^^^'" M'^'^'at

PH^ of a «„ir;t;i:;i:'-"- '•"-''« ■■"•^^^
dw^:.-i!ty.*i:';:L?'™ "-'">« «"»™oto „ad

former were ^eno 1, 'ft"!; "-P"" ' '""'"■'"'« "'«
west, the Iatt::Ta '■ l'';r;:! '" *'■« -"'" -"
eastward. Now for tCITt " ""'"y *° ""=

Japan, the ar,„.s o °C ^,,'':-te ""f '" f '''^'"■■^ »'
other in battle as th, ' V "™, '■™'' "«■"'"«' ''"''h
other on the tidd The T." ,"'"* '"""" -»"
of Kiyon^ori, won and 1^, S tt ' "" ''"'^'•"''P

P'''- and its I„peria^;;;U I~^^
became the virtual rul.T nf V «-iyomon

military despotism. h or T; ' ""' """ ^™'

Japan and its throne hem ith'/ I ""'""""-^ '"^^
and stron»_„o that f ""''' ™" "P ^o™?

-u.-ped the thle"' r^vrt/:;-™',"^-' "^^
two ruler, a spiritual and Tte IT"' T '"h '""
nevertheless witli if« ^^"ipoiai. Tlie tlirone,

' '^' '^' °^^"P^"t has been nothing

; .,

138 JAPAN; THE LAND OF THE MOllNING.

more than a friMed oliarm in the liiiii<l,s of the
Shon-uii, with which to conjure up for himself bound-
less authority and unquestioning allegiance from the
people.

A very striking example of this peculiar feature of
the i)olitical life of old Japan is noticed, even away
back at the begimiing of the Taira supremacy. In
1150, the Emperor Go-Shirakawa ascended the throne,
but within three years he abdicjited and became a
Buddhist monk, taking the title of Ho-o, or "clois-
tered Emperor." His reason for resigning was not at
all a religi(Kis one, although he l)ecame a monk. It
was simply that he migjit give himself up to de-
bauchery, and wield more actual power than while
he was on the throne. 80 this royal monk, during
the reigns of his son and two grandsons, became the
power behind the throne, and, in conjunction with the
great military chief, Kiyoi^iori, dispensed the spoils of
office to his favorites.

The Taira clan now overshadowed ev.'-y thing, and
Kiyomori out-Heroded even the Fujiwara in his
greedy monopoly of all the fat government offices.
He made one of his daughters the concubine, and
afterwards the wife of tlie boy Emperor Takakura, and
thus reached the height of his amlation. But even
for him a Mordecai sat at the gate. The Minamoto
family had its mighty men in the army, who won
great victories in the eastern part of the Empire, in
the neighboi-hood of the present Tokyo, and even
away northward to the very liir.its of the main island.
The power of these men, therefore, was a menace to

ME STHUaoU FOR THE .VASTEI.V. 139

Jviyoiiiori, nwl lio resr.Ivo,! f,^

'J'lio ^rreat Jeadcr of tl.f Ar,-» .
n."n«l Yo»l,ito,„„,,.,„ ,,/"'""" -- " "-"

and killed V l,h- ,1 '"'". '"""■^'"■'"■""" th. capital

'i'..ki>va,tl,..;:, ii": Y "■'; ^'"''''■'■"- '""""-"ly
tl.e history 00 J n" '"V "'"'" "'"d^-tein

that eountV tn u rt"'';;:"'''' "''r'' "" ^'"•■"' of

story. 0„i i o L '.*'"■'■■ ■"" '"■"""'■"' i» the

sword. -NorclTd l" T-" ,"'' '""^'"^ '''^ '"tl'ors

the c,a„,or do.,in« h„r Z::^^"^^^ ''7
per..shcd with cold and h,lf „t , , ' """''y

not being able to trace the worn, n r. ^ T''
expedient of .seizincr her moth. "^'"" ^^^^

in Kyoto Tliis h. """'* nnpris(.ning her

piet/o;ToS;:a'j:;^^,rt;^i-^^ot,.iiiiai

reach When tl,„ ^ "Sam within hi,,

»onster,agreaV tweXe'lr "T" """ "™'
-- .hould .1. pJ^^ne'^^^o'relrrL ^t

KYOTO, THE ANCIENT CAPITAL.

THE STRlJGOr-E FoR TIIK MASTERY.

141

meant salvation to l,er niotlwr, l,ut d.-atli (o l.oi-
chil.l.vn. At last sl... .i..ci.l...l to ivturn an.l tn.st to
Iwr w..n.|..rl'ul hrauiy to save both hrv nioth.-i- nn.i
her sons.

Soon she appeared in the pivs,.ne.. of Itim sl„. most
clrca.l.Ml, l,nt not with a count<'nance nianv.l with
sorrow (,r .hvad. She was faii-Iy radiant in her
beauty, an.l at onee so captured Kiyoniori that he
wanted to take jier as his concubine, 'j'his at tirst
she utte.-ly ivfused to do. but her n.othrr. with tloods
of tears, entreated h<T to make the sacriHce IVn- the
sake of her ottsprin-r. At h-no-th .she cons.-nt.'d, on
condition that the lives of her children should be
spared. Kiyomori's retainers, however, insisted that
now they had the cubs of the Minainoto wolf within
the toils they should exterminate them forthwith.
The chihlren, however, found an unexpecte<l fi-irnd ia
Kiyomori's aunt, whose intercessions, coupled ,th
tho.se of the beautiful mother, at last [Mvvailed.
Little di<l Kiyomori know of the sleepino- thunder-
bolts that lay locked up in the breast of that l>abe in
arms, thunderbolts which were destined • \ entually to
smash into frao-ments the power of the Taira clan.

All three boys, when old enou<rl, ,,, consi<,.ned to
a monastery nea.- Kyoto to be ti-ained for the priest-
hood. Two of them took kindly to the new life and
are heard of no more ; but the third, the little fellow
was made of different stuff'. Alth..u<(h shaven and
shorn and robed in the ^rarl) of a neophyte, he made
but a .sorry candidate. There was too much of the
old martial spirit in him to be hidden away beneath

142

JAPAN; THE LAND OF THE MORNING.

m. ill

a surplice, frittering away liis time in the droning of
vain repetitions. The god of battles claimed him, and
to-day, enshrined beside Yamato Dake-no-Mikoto,
and Ojin or Hachiman, is the name of Yoshitsune,
the peerless young Minamoto knight.

Nor was he at all priestly in appearance and
demeanor. He was a little fellow with ruddy cheeks,
and his -teeth protruded in a peculiar manner. Soon
he refused to let the priests shave his head, and
utterly scandalized their Reverences by his self-willed
merriment. In fact, Yoshitsune was chaffing against
this humdrum life of the quiet monastery, and was
yearning to escape away to the north to have a hand
in the wars then being waged against the barbarians.
How to accomplish this was the trouble. Still, "Where
thei'e's a will there's a way." Yoshitsune, on account
of his peculiar disposition, we can imagine, mingled
more freely with the tradespeople who came and went
daily to and from his retreat. Among these he soon
found the man he was looking for, an iron merchant,
who made frequent journeys from Kyoto to the most
northerly part of the main island. This was at that
time called Oshiu, and was then, as it is now, noted
for its mines, which yield the best iron for swords
and other cutting implements.

Yoshitsune entreated this merchant to take him
with him on his return journey to the north. At first
he demurred, not wishing to offend his customers, the
Reverend Fathers ; but when Yoshitsune told him
that they would be glad to get rid of such a turbulent
fellow, he at last consented. What Yoshitsune said

THE STRUGGLE
was true. Tlie monk

FOR THE MASTERY.

143

were

ley were finally ri,l of tl

On tl

leu- w

mensely relieved when
most unsaintly individual.

ay to Oshiu they spent some time

K,id.usa, t ,0 province occpyins tliat rocky peninsula,
w uch enclose, Tokyo Bay. Tim whs at i,at time
.nfestecl w.tl, robl,.., and Yoshitsnne soon foZ
opportunity of slaking the tliirst of l,is warl,
spmt. On one occasion although alone and .lefence-
less he se,.e, and overcame a hold robber; and on

killing hve ot the ruffians with his own hand
Eventually Y„.hitsu„e and the n.erchant relied
, '""• ■""'";" >■"""« knight found an asylum in the
house of H,dchira, a Fujiwara nobleman, where he
soon gamed the reputation of being a warrior of
res stless skill and wonderful prowess

Yo.sh,tsune had yet another brother who escaped
the cruel tate of his father. This was Yoritomo

posteuty. lh,s boy, twelve years older thin bis
O.other. was m company with his father when he
suftered defeat at the hands of the Taira. In tl e
re reat winch followed, Yoriton.o got .separated fron
i..s companions and fell into the hands of a Taira
officer, who brought him as a pri.e to Kyoto, where
he was orfered to be executed. But ,dready tl e
romance ot lovo lent bin, a charmed life. While
b«ng ed as a captive to Kyoto, the party passed
"u-ougha vdlage where dwelt a chief wlLe daughte
Yor,tomo bad ever loved This girl, hearin. wbnt
was gonig on, said at once, ■' I will follow my brother

,ii

in !

! j

!> (

III'

144

japan; the land of the morning.

and will die with him." From this she was restrained
by her parents, but soon after she went out and
drowned herself.

A little while before the time appointed for the
execution, his custodian asked him if he would like
to live, to which he replied, " Yes ; both my father and
mother are dead, and who but I can pray for their
happiness in the next world ? " Much affected by this
filial reply, the officer went to the step-mother of the
great Taira chief, who, after the death of her husband,
became a Buddhist nun, and spoke to her on behalf
of the boy. She became interested, and her heart
was touched when the officer said, " Yoritomo
resembles Prince Uma." She, too, had borne a son of
great promise, who was no longer at her side, and
she resolved to intercede with Kiyomori for this boy's
life. At last the Taira chief reluctantly yielded, but
banished the boy, instead, away to the rock-bound
peninsula of Idzu, which lies over across the bay
from Shidzuoka. Thus Kiyomori spared the lives of
the two men, Yoshitsune and Yoritomo, for which
act he cursed himself upon his death-bed, as he saw
the Taira armies put to flight before these two mighty
men of valor-.

Although Yoritomo had his head shaven for the
priesthood, yet he, too, like his brother Yoshitsune,
was composed of the wrong sort of metal for the
cloister and the temple. In his lonely exile, he grew
up strong and shrewd and self-reliant. Never did he
forget his high calling as the son of the chief of the
now scattered Minamotos, and ever held himself under

THE STRUGGLE FOK THE MASTERY,

145

for

wondorful restraint, awuitiiio- the fulness of time
him and his people. The star of hope on the ^lina-
moto horizon was still but low. The yet faithful
memhors of that clan were so scattered and downed
by espionao-e that they scarcely dared to communk^ite
with each otiier; but still the veno-eance within their
breasts only slumbered, thouoh their enemies be<.-an
to think it \vas dead. *

One thing that afterwards helped the cause of the
iVIinamoto very materially, was the splendid choice of
a wife made by Yoritomo. So romantic was this
courtship that it would add brig-b.f . .« to the parres of
any book. This youno- knio-ht ■ no- that a noble-
man named Hqjo Tokimasa, anouier name famous in
Japanese history, had two dauohters by two different
wives, was minded to obtain one of them for his wife.
He therefore irKjuired which of the two was the more
beautiful, and on bein<r told that the elder one was, he
determined to pay his court to the younger, because
he feared to incur the hatred of the step-mother by
passing by her daughter for the sake of the elder
sister. He then ventiu-ed to send her a letter by the
hand of his servant, who, thinking it a great shame
that his master should throw himself away on a
homely woman when there was one far more beauti-
ful witlvin his reach, tore up the letter and wrote
another to the elder sister.

On the very night previous to the arrival of this

letter, the homely daughter dreamed that a pigeon

came to iier carrying a golden box in its beak, "on

awakening she told her dream to lier sister who

iO '

i *:

i %

(.. :^

lii

II'.

146 japan; the laxd of the mornixVg.

bocominc^ interested, resolved to buy her sister's
dreani. Tlie bar^rain was soon cruck, tlie price being
one of those hi<rhly-prized toilet mirrors. Next
morning the pigeon brought tlie elder sister the
golden box— an ofil-r of marriage from Yoritomo. It
is said to have turned out to be a real love match ;
but tlie course of true love was not allo^^'ed to run
smoothly, even in this case. The father of Masago,
for such waG the name of the maiden, was at this
time absent on a visit to Kyoto, and on his way
home promised the hand of hi. elder daughter to a
young Taira chieftain. Nor would he relent when
he heard what had taken place in his absence, and
•so married her to the man whom he had promised.
Early on the wedding-night, however, Masago eloped
with her true lover. The disappointed husband, of
course, was furious, and vowed vengeance if he could
firid the guilty pair; but all in vain. Old Tokimasa,
the father, appeared to be angry, but he winked
the other eye, because, after all, Yoritomo was his
favorite. This Masago now ranks as one of the most
illustrious of Japanese women, not because of her
marriage escapade, but because of the wisdom and
s rength she displayed in assisting her husband in his
marvellous career, and also in guiding tlie rising for-
tunes of the great Shogunate, of which he w^s the
founder.

Our storjr brings us now to the close of the twelfth
century. The cup of the sufferings of the Minamoto
was well nigh full. The corruption and tyranny of
Kiyomori and of the Taira family had become so

THE STRUGGLE FOR THE MASTERY. I47

great tliat one of tlie rnv«l ,^,.;v.« 1

the Mi.uunoto p^^ JZ^ ^^^ ::'""'' "^'^ ''''^
Then bec^-m \urV, u ^^'^'^'t'^^'^^^^' '"kI death.

len Dtgan ni reality tlie great stvivn<-\e wliiVl, h.
been very antlv PTiflfla-i fi t "^o'(^ \miicIi has

Roses" "^ entitled the Japanese " Wars of the

iaira liad a butterfly for '1 Pr< «f i ., "'",
. tlieir banner red. ^' ^"^' ^^'' ^*«'°^' °f

T]ie long tenure of office had hdled H,a T • .
carelcsne., and vigilance wa. now o o a^r:,, ?

An.ae.eaai„„/::'::;r:jit:^^^^^^^

t out t"'^ ^"""■■^'^ '"-^ ■-taine.'abouU-r: 'd
set out to wm ins spurs on the field V™l,;t.,

w«s also raising an army in the north
Yontomo's father-in-law, in KosI iu o7 ' , /f
is the capital. Other clans JTT i Z ' ^°*''

of the Jfinamoto. ' "' '°°^ ""^ «'^^''' '» '"''

It was through tlie same scenes whicli lone ., i ,,
greeted the eye of Yamato Dake™ hi ?"",'"
expedition, that Yoritomo pushtd lis , v f ?"'
^ttle han.h It was in the leep d'fil ^11":,;:
Hakone Mountains, the m-e-it h'np ^f if
t^veen the east and west, V,J:Z:i£l:fZ!^
Chunbenng upward under the shadow of lS,i B^,!
Yama, the stone-bridge n,ount,i„ ,n Z\

the pass around the Wi.ofrilUZ

■nil

3 L

IL»

1 fli

148 JAPAN; THE LAND OF THE MORNING.

al>ove, lie met the foe in sucli numbers that, with
all his bravery and feats of arms, he was borne down
before them, and barely escape.l with his liiV> Many
were the hair-breadth escapes he had in his fli<.-ht
He had to secrete himself in a hollow lorr to elude'^his
pursuers, and afterwards in a priest's wardrobe in one
of the temples. But his cause was by no means dead,
(gradually the followers of the white banner drew
tocrether, and Yoritoino made Kamakura, near Yoko-
hama, his headquarters, and built there his permanent
residence. Years before, this had been an old seat of
the Mmamoto family, and his father had built a
shrine to Hachiman, the ^rod of War. Now a magni-
ficent temple graces the spot.

Soon the whole Kuanto, or eastern part of Japan
from the Hakone Mountains to the northern extremity
of Oshiu, was in the hands of Yoritomo, who thus be-
came well ecpiipped for the decisive struggle. Mean-
M'hile the Taira had mustered their armies under the
blood-red lianiier and marched eastward to meet the
foe. At last they reached the Province of Suruga at
the foot of Mount Fuji, and passing Shidzuoka, they
encamped by the side of the rushing Fuji River, and
there on the other shore saw the white-bannered hosts
of the Minainoto marshalled to battle. Both armies
were burning for tlie fray, but the river proved to be
the insuperable obstacle. Often have we shot down
this same river from the Kofu plain in one of the
light Japanese boats, and can therefore appreciate the
difficulty which confronted those brave soldiers. At
any time to attempt to ford tbnt rushing mountain-

THE STRUaOLE FOE THE MASIEKY. 149

torrent is ,. ,i„„Uf„l oxpori.nont, l,ut to l.rnvc its
™ waters ,„ t „ fao,. „f ., ,,„st „f „,,„„, ,■„,,
w ul, l,e not „„,, less ti,,u, eertaiu .I.fcat an,l .Icatl,.
i he lan-as, therefor,, r,.t,vate,l without atten.ptinff
to s en, he .lea.liy current. One of ti,e Taira n,..,:
so the story ^oes, seeinj; that the Minanioto nnrst
s..rely conquer, wont to the river flats at ni.nht and
»u«e.l the flecks „t wild-fowl slurnherincT aZ
When the Taira »oMier.s, therefore, heard the .'it
Ul^roar created l.y the fl,,,,,a-n« of the wine., "hey

them, antl fled tor tlieir livi..s.

Yoriton.o then returned over the mountains to
Knnakura w.tl, his anny. and heo-an to build a

, ntdul l„t „t open count.y aka.^ the se^-shore,
w h , s wooded hills an,l ^-alleys, was turned into a
!,u.it fort.hed cty, with palace an,l ,„ansion, l,road

have excelled the ancient capital Kyoto itself
ndeed, the purpo.se of Yoriton.o was to ,nake it an
n,,,er,al c,ty. .\„t that he dare as.s„n,e the title of

Linperor, a,t he was detern.ined that from tl>e old
ap' nl and Iron, the throne he would snatch aw.ay

all the real autliority, an.l centre it here in this new

capital city of the Kuaiito.

daiit At Kyoto ,,1.1 Kiyomori lay dyiii,, aii.i with

him the power of the Taira was pa-ssiiif; awav. Very

onehin. is the story of his death. A.: the Jnd drew

"oar, 1,1s lainily and oHicials of rank were gatliered

I' ;

■ n

150

JAPAN; THE LAND OP THE MOUNINa.

aro,m,I his eouel, to lionr liis pnrtin-r wo,-,k V,.,, ■
deeply ,,e .aid : - Ho that i., Ln nms , l,,"'^' «
a.Kl.,„tIa„„o. Since the ,,„rio<l „f ||,,ji ',"
have ^orvod the I,„perial h„„.,„. I hav,' ■ ,,'

Empire absolutely, I have attained the l,i,d,e t , , •
poss, ,le to a s„l,jeet, I a,„ ,..a„dPathe,. of tl,; K t

on Ins mother', side. Is there still a ,v«,.et ' Z
e«ret ,s on y that I a„, dyinft and hav,. n^, -et s,™
the head of Yoriton.o of the Minan.oto. A t ■ v
decease do not n.ako otte,-in,.s to Jin.Idl,, ^

behalf. Only cut ott' the he5 of Y " , :; 7
M.na„,oto and hang it on „,y tondV S , 'a' „"

des royn,f; the power of the Taira thron,' a, „'

cap.t d. O course, the triumphal m.trch of the viet.a-s
wa.s through many a bloody skirnn-sh, but so ,

In.per,al pn.„ „.as theirs, an emperor of the ,
makn,. sat upon the throne, and the est . 1
treasures of the Taira were divided amon^ them '
We now turn again to follow the course of the
younger brother of Yoriton.o. the fan.ous Yosh in
Away ,„ the far north, and also in the 1^,1^0
.a.s been eading forth his n,en to battle and v
tory for the cause of his clan, and yet it i n lei
pecuhar creumstances that we flud hiu, lea.lin
forces toward Kyoto. Already the city ha. bd
".to the hands of the Minamoto; bnt^rom

THE STRUGGLE FOR THE MASTERY. I5l

we can gatlier, it seems that Yoritomo must have
remamed m the Kuanto at Kamakura, because the
ancient capital was taken by his uncle and cousin
^uknye and Yoshinaka. The latter of these <m'
ffottni^. possession of the ancient capital with' its
^donous spoils, seems to have lost his head He too
quK-kly followed in the footsteps of old Kiyomori'
monopohz.ng all the powers of the Governn.ent
and cruslung every rival beneath his feet He also
assumed for the first time that sicmificant old title
which has playe<l such a conspicuous part in the his-
tory of the land-Sei-i-tai Shogun, i.e., the ^n-eat bar-
barian subduing, ^reneral. But his lease of office was
very brief. He plaj-ed his ^ame too fast and it played
hnn out His insolence became so unbearable that
It roused against him the ire of the old ex-Emperor
C.o-Shirakawa, of whom we have already .spoken, and
who was still alive. This keen old diplon.at, although
he had no armies at his back, attempte.l to arouse the
powerful community of Buddhist priests and monks
living at the temples of Hiezan near by. Yoshinaka
however, got word of it, and with an army attacked
the monasteries put the ex-Mikado in prison, and
beheaded the abbots. Hearing of all this. Yoritomo
greatly angered, despatched Yoshitsune with an army
against Yoshinaka. the latter of whon. was soon
defeated and killed.

Still, the whole west and south-west was in the
hands of the Taira. Thither, too, had fled the royal
fugitives and others of high degree from tlie capiLl
carrying with them the insignia of royalty After

1*>2 JAPAN; THK LAND oV TIIK MOUNiNf}.

-stuunl to Hvak tlu. ,»nv-M- of- the Tuim there also
^^ suni.oss,I.let..o.iv,. spacvt,, -Mails ,,r his l.attlos
-.1 v.cto.-K.s. Ten.,hl.u-asthev,.n...a.H..h.u.vak..,

lillNS ((K r,,,.; IITADKI, (l|.

f' AID/.C CASTI.K.

"pon ns „l,l.ti,„e f„e. .,,,,, ,,. , ,,.,

"Mt, ho had Iite..„llv .w.,,t the Tai,.a fro,,, th fai

"t the ca,.th. Cat w,u, tho .vioid,,. ,vl tl

Kyoto, hr„.«„,g „,th the,,, the .sac-ed e„.bre,„: „?

m relied
re also.
I»attles
rt'akcd

,'ary
Pace
tJie
I to
i of

liii

THK STRUOOLE L'OR THE MASTERY. 15^

iH'i-ial autliority, wliicl. tlx'v ha. I

wliol

.streets woi-e hi'ioht wit)

city was ^n'vcii up to fest

recovered. The
'vity. For davs the

the tempi

' I>i''>('es.si..i,,s and fe.stivaJH.nnd

hit

•'■s wore crowded wit|, d.'voted wr.rsl

""ii'l all tjiis li(,ii„r 1

'ave seen how near his own downfall

Voshitsune 1

"Pproachin^r, all these would have].,...
o^ Sodom. Alrea.ly the hea.-t of his brotl
Iwid been turne<l

ii|ipurM.
«'ai)ed upon him, could

was

'•■•'ii as the aj)i)les

ler Vorit

tlu

so frruat deeds of val

i^-amst him in jealousv, be

)nio
cause

the ^dory of the extermination of tl
belon<,red to another. It

!or wei-e not his own, and that

])Oison Ins mi„d with the t(

le hit(!d Tair
was not ditlicult, therefori

Jn(,me of sland(!i-. Nor

iiifr- A fellow

was a reptil,. fo,- this pu.-pose want
who.e name no one would care to know, had a private
- ousy t.> reveno-e. He ha.l been a military Llviser
^^oslntsuneon his expeditions against the armi"
-I the re,l banner, and on one occasion, when

\osh,.sune adn.sed a nio.ht attack in full force upon
l'<;'n.-.ny Ins craven-hearted adviser oppo.sed the
^^•;>|ect and hindered it. Voshitsune, however, wa
- to be balked in this M-ay. He took fifty men

ictoij llu.s .so „,censed the ba.se fellow that he
hurned off to ^ oriton.o at Kamakura, and poured the
vile-st slanders a^anist this most lionorable of all
Japanese warrioj. into y.ry willin. ears. The result
was that when Voshitsune and his armv of veterans
oil then, return from the field, neared Kamakura, he
M.s peremptorily ordere-l not to enter the citv

While wa.tin<. in the little village of Ko;higoye

#!l i

ft! I

154

JAnAN-iniE LAND OF THE MOKNINO.

■i

"I'P"-.t,. tl,o l,c„„tilul J.,I,„„I „F K„„„|,|,„„ ,„ „.,,, , ,^

"" .Ion. ,u„l .s„ffe,,.,l f„, t|,„ „,,,t|,,„„. ,,|f ^^^^^^

"■1 -. .•■•"tn,. ti,at this miHo .,t,.i„ „l,„ul,„, ■
-„.v«l ,.„,„ |,i, „,,„, ,,,,,, ,^^^„_. ^ -

yorito.no'.s hcirt wns. n,,.v.rtl„.|,.s.,. (;«cl in it,
V «it,„s ,„ VH„, ,„, ,^ ,,.c„„,i|iHtio„, fl„l „.itl, a IVw

"'"It", ';"";,'"" "■"«'■""«• '■"""--■'^ '>■•■■»-

att,.ckc.d tlie l.ouso m wl.id, l„. «„« ,v.si,li„„. „„,, ^.,
lorth afu..s ,. I,, „ ,„„„„,„t ,,^ ,,.,^^

and. «v„r,l „, |,a,„|, l.cnved J>i,s «-ay tl,r,„„d, he
encny, who fdl off fi.ht „„, |„ft ,^f„„, , ■ ' ^ '^

ab,d,„g.p ace for hin, a„j.wlK.,v noar the ca, tal' o
after vanou,, vieissitude.,, he msolvod lo ritu 'n to

wart eht^et' "'■"" °' °'"' '"■™ ■■'-"-of thostal-
prominent. This was Benkei, the Gohath of the

fill

THE STnUflOr.E FOR THE MASTEHV. 153

J«,Mnoso. Fo,-,„..,.ly 1,0 wa« ,. nofd rol,b„r „nd

.;"M...-,,u,nrtV..,,it„.„„,, in tho ,tn,.«l.. „:,

..I "..•.. e.„v.,,, Bcnkci «-,,.s tl„. ,I„v„t«l follo,'^
or VuNliitsiint".

Many ,.,v tiK. ,,:„m,k„l,l,. stori,., t„l,l uf tl,i, ...at
J, low, of which it i.s i,n,,„»„ih|e to rclut.. any ." ,'
those ... connection with the last ,lays of Y.ihits, -
It -as „. wo followcl the f„,.tn,L „t „» Iltoi

Tilt \f n' r' ''-''' "'''y ^''"'-' ''■'>'" ^'^^
t.y .leutl .tseli. On their way no.thvva,-,! thoy had

to c>«« the Shi,,,kawa Pass, which was now fo,^ih' i

tZ ,f Th'""" '■*■ '■""■■' "■" ^' -"■ H"- t «e

of the .sentn.els was the g,-e,tt ,,uestio„, fo,- discovery

neant ce.ia.n death. Benkei, howeve... was e,,„al to

the cnergency. He tcx>k the lea.l in the ,.arl of a

ollo« „n. U hen the ffnard from his tower chaU
e.,sed th„,n. Benkei deliherately drew fron, hi» .1
a roll o perfectly blank paper, and havi.,g ,",1

rZt '' ", r '."""""'■'- •"■«"" to -^te,npori.e
... .nost scholarly l,,„j;„aKe a letter tVo.n the hi,*

pnest of the g.-eat Hokoji to.nple i.. Kyoto, ,.,.1.0".:

...g the bea,,.,- to t.-avel th..oush the connt.-y and

..ame of";; ''f "°'" '"" " «""' "^■"P'« >''»• ^t the
.end, tell devoutly on h.s k..ees and listene.1 with his

'■r

; t !

1 1 (a

:*ix » 1

156 JAP

an; the land of the MoiwiNa

face l,ent to tlie eartli while tlie Jettc
J^or tlio purimse of nial

impossible, Benk
•soldier to

l<ino- all furtl

1* was bein<jf read.

^h on h'lii.shiiio- the lett

ler suspicion
ei-, asked the

xcuse the very improper conduct of

servant, who all this time ],ad
addincf the r

liis

remained standiim-

gave^cW„t™„o a kick i„ the «l.,-„., t,,lin" i , o
g t down „,,t„„t|y „,,„„ ,,,, „„„,,„,,.,„„^,,-,^ ' *°

the presence of . 8.u,„„,u „n,l ,. .soUlier. The , "

At last they reached 0.,hh, and the frieiully ca,stle
of H.dehna „, safety. At first all we„t weOi «^h
tlK.,u tor the old lord who had been so hi , „ t '

51f':^-ro!dr;i;:^^^^^^

o.mssar,e„ of Yorito.no persnaded the t ;«„: t fs
!''''■'.'•■"• t'V'" •■'-y with the valiant hni rt

-tie n, winch Yoshitsune and his fannly M td t

ceifcunly how Y'oslntsune ,lied. One storv is fl *

^ M'r;:^f" V* ;r " '.•>•.. totijir;:

"ta lu nsLlt. ihe soldiers findino- }„•„, c,,, oft' ). .

wnie, to \or,tonio. Another is, that when it was
known that an attacking party was 211"
Benke, n.ade an effl^y of hiM,s..if stnl,;.d w l"^'
^traw. and at n.ght securely fastened -t on the hri Ig

I Jmi)
h h'un
ptioii
1 the
f this
The

THE STRUGGLE FOR THE MASTERY. I57

whicli spanned the castle moat. When the enemy
can,e they sJiot at tins straM^ nian until it was as fuU
ot arrows as a porcupine is of .juills, and hundreds of
-mws wind, missed the n.ark lay scattered around.
Ihe so a,ers feared to approach nearer lest the garrison
m.ght be ready and waiting to sally out. At last the
castle gatas were forced, and the whole place was
round empty. ^

The Ainos say that Yoshitsune fled to Yezo and
became a great law giver and ruler among them
Certam it is that he is still worshipped by these
abongines. Legend also has it that, aftei living
several years among them, he crossed the Sea of
lartary, and became the celebrated Mongol conqueror
Genglns Khan who swept with his armies ove;

centur ^''' ^''^^"""'^^ "^ ^^^^ thirteenth

ThasB two famous sons of the Minauioto clan
repre.sc.„t respectively two distinct types in the mili-
t.ny hie ot old Japan. Altl,onj,h the miiitary
de.,p„t,»m of the Mid<lle Ages began with the Tai.-a
clan yet ,t was Yoriton.o who fonn.led the «hog„„ate,
B, bn,Uhng Ivamakura. and instituting another eourt
theie, he wrested away the glory and power of the
We^nent, even fron, the vicinity of the court of
the M.kado and left .t with •■ Ichabod " written over
^s door. Irue. he was .still only the first of the
vassals of he throne, but nevertheless it was he and
he alone who ruled Japan. A characteristic type of a
.Shogun also was this Yoriton.o. An.bitious proud
haughty, unscrupulous and cruel, he c™shed even the

■ 1

1S8

japan; the land op the morning.

'or to step to the throne

faithful under his feet in ord
he coveted and make it secure.

On the other hand. Yo.shitsune is the first and
gn^tcst representative of Japanese knighthoo,!. „
h„n the .«,„„,,„ finds In's ideal. Not only was lie a
m-ghty n,an of valor, before whom the e,^nwwere
beaten down like the standing corn before the hi
but he was a good man. Love and loyalty found
U.er mcarnafon in him; and to-day the name of
Wt :rtV'; '"''""' '"^'"■^* ^.splrations i„ the
1% when th. boys- festival is held and the infage
o the famous w-arru™ of Japan are brought out and
r ced ,n array ,n the festal hall, there, above all the
rest and second only to tlie Emperors, is that of

Clown ot an everlastnig memorial.

he th

rone

first and
lood. In
was lie a
my were
the hail,
■y found
name of
i.s in the
I day of
e image
out and
; all the
that of
row the

CHAPTER VI.

THE SAMURAI AND HIS LORD

ance. The Imnpri.l n r^' '""^ "uport-

-'"^ -iiiipeual court was there still- K„fV
^oritomo, the Sei-i tni ^i.^ , f ' "^ "°^^

iJiUMuces, wincJi once enrich r-rl fli« t, • i •
-c..-e diverted i„to the coffe. 'tt ' J' rrttlf '
new capital. ^^^ "^ *"e

.^-^.d::;i--~;-:--:z

cential (jovermiient. At Hmt !„.(•„„ n

become so dissolute is to I i ' '""'■' '^«<'

tion, the FuTi " ..; ^ ■' '"''"'"' administra-

l«-li,« , :■ to '^P''""™"-'^ '-"y ■■'"•storing and

docii„rof 1^i:t'\. ""'* •""■"'= "-

- utterly ^i.o^alX^'"'''"""" ''"™"'^
not enforce its omerl Government could

«'-^oui«.be,.nto„rsol:;:;::i::::;::

|i^

1^ i

III

J 60 JAPAN; THE LAN

<*in armed peasant. Tl
the jva

piii^r-hook and the flail to I'oll

1) OF THE MORNING.

>^^' men M-lio tlirew down

"vvar, now no ]

>\v the f'oi-tunes

It' mipni.,^ of the fields: for tl

n\y of the bravest f

and tl
spoil
tlieii
ot

gay life by which tl
ao(juiredsoinethiiK-of

""^••■r rttu-ned to tl

le sowinir
em wei-e nobler

^^^ly to Kyoto, drafted into the 1.,.
tlie Imperial city. Hei-e, in daily cont

i'om the Proxince found

lome refdnients

let with tl

>ey were surrounde.l, thev soon
society polish, and bee,

or less intimately acquainted with the worl
great political machine. Of

that tl

It! whole lifo of tl

coui'se, tlie\- 1
coui

line more

'<'ii;X<>f the
also

eanie(

was simply a nt'v

„ • , .„ — "^ " "'^ -iiiii )i\- I never-

e««,ng «t,...e „„ tl,„ p„,t „f ,„„„ , . ■ «

pol, ,cal p,... .,.„u.„t. Tla, «.rv„l t|,„ ,Mi,,X
goo,l .ten,! u-hen tkoy ,.ot„„,ecl to tlu.iv k.„nJl:j

eo nt,y CO snis „1 having I,,,,, „t tl„. oapit,?! a„.l

.. Ingl; p .cos, th.y »cl„.,„.,l a,„l plotted io,- „ i "

-ver ,n 1,..,. native ,listnet». A,!,! a« tl,,,- „, Xt

.11, ae,|„,re,I tl,,,. eovet.,1 „„tl,„,-itv. th.,v l^c une

turbulent an,, ,.,.ga.,I,,..ss of thei. ■,,.,ati,i, t

Govennnen ten,. al,lo at any tin,,, to am, and kj

o ,l,o M.I a go.,ly f.,||.,„,„,, i„ t|„., ,, ^i"^;^

-P.an^' up, here and tl,ere over the country, |,Ld, of

leader ortenng then, tl,e g.-eatest re«-ar,l. '

Th,, con.s..,,n,.ntly Id to e„,lle.s, di»or,ler through-
out the prov.nces. The authority of the ci> il offlce.s
Y> -' ;.t u,u,,d,t, rohher rai.l» and laction fi , ,
abounded, and often the ,,eop,e of whole di.tri

'OW (lowil

i I'ortuiie.s
<- HO will"-
'!•»' nobler
iK'c Pound
I'i'ft'iinents

witJi the
:liey soon
mie more
iif^^oF the
I'lH'd also

ii never-
)Wer and
diei's ill
es ao-:;in.
iiiH' tlieir
tid, and,
^"e them
f rid i no-
^ gradu"

hecame

to tJie
nd lead
-y tliei-e
'ands of
ow any

iroii«'h_

officers

fi^dits

istricts

SA.MlK.vr

THE SAMUIIAI AND His LORD.

163
^'^t f...tl, fro , K ., 'T' "'; "■'^'""'i""" would be

Mi-amoto ciXin'ri ;;"■';;" ''•^; " ■'■""" »

'''■«'--J=.-, that ,n.eu Thesl „ " *-"'""'"' "'"'" °''

-.!- their armies b '«• *:°^<'™"'"" S.'iK.rals i„„l to

of the ar,„o.l 1 k| \ "el ''''' '"T'" '"'- "'« «"'--
'n.in,. thus J ; ' -• •»'-'«' tl.^' country.

FuJi»-ara,a„,lco„se,,I ' , ,""'■'"■■ ""'' "'«
through constant a oc LT r,'" '""'' °'' »"''''-«■
as the Taira and ili ™, o ' *'"'"" '""'"■■' '"""'

military dans wZ,. f„ , '*""""' "«at

the Gov„r,n,"«,t ' I "' T'""'''^ "'■lq.«Klent of
utterJv fai l',,2' 7''^^" ' '« -'thorities at Kvoto

Powe,: passed Irnto TT'^T '""''"• "°""-<" "-
"-..-eatbands^fltbr:::';^

-e F^rti^r:;^ -- '--^^^

fi-t na,„e.I, the,/ , po^ L 'rT v,""""^- '"'^
'■isinir milit.,,rv ;„l P°" ' "' "'"' alarm this

and resolutely ""et'lrno tJl ""^^ ''" '"f -'■
rewarded them for fl,,.- . "• Jhey no longer

Govennnent C "in H."T"T '" '^'""f "^ "-
i-^xued an edict fWb 1 " '."^''' '""''■■ "'"y also

! i

164

japan; the land op the MOHNfNfJ.

We have already seen lunv the MUmuuAu rlnun at
lant ^.ot control, hrst of the Kuanto. wl.id, they
governed entirely independent of the In.penMl (Joveni-
inent, and how finally the whole country was at tlu-ir
ieet. Now the n.ilitary assun.ed nn in,p„r(a,u.e in
tl.o government of the eonntry n.yev known before
Voritonio appointed military alon-si,],. of (]„. Hvil
governors in every province, in or.l.T to p,vs,.rNe the
peace by holding all those tnrbulent fr.vboot.rs in
check. Ihese civil governors, however, who ,s,.em
still to have been appointed from Kyoto, had but a
sorry tune of it. More ami more the militnrv .-hiefs
encroached upon their jurisdiction, until at Innt thev
were completely supplanted.

It is necessary now, in order to eontinu.- this
outline of the growth of feudalism, to follow briefly
the course of historical events a little furth.T. I.ittle
did Yoritomo know, when he ran off with the M^sa.ro
the Hojo maiden, what mighty conHe,,uen,...s For
Japan would grow out of that escapade. And .io,d,t-
lessold Hojo Tokim.asa, the father of Ma sago, often
slmd,]ered afterwards to tliink how neai- he came to
missing power and glory for himself and his
posterity, by giving his daughter to anoth.-r instead
of to Yoritomo.

The first of the Minamotos was alloM'e<| („ yuU^ in
comparative peace and .luietness ; but at his doath
the old system of intrigue and assassination went on
at Kamakura just as it had at Kyoto. This Mojo
Tokimasa, the father-in-law of Yoritomo was a
prince among political schemers, and Masag(, was her

lit- Mil's

lniclly

father's diiimlittT.

THE SA„™„ ,^„ „,^ ^^_^^

I6S

eare for tho forti.iios of tiJl" ''''' "'"''' °' '"'^^
Y"rito„,„ ,„„ pass.,, a"! V h'"""° '"""''y "■''™
assuinal til,, office -u,.! ,-T , " ""'■ '' « tnio
Ho,ia,i,a,U.lii„* ; , "':7/ ''- fotlier, b„t ol,
-' Ma-«o die.,, tiio C, fo;"; .'°"« '-'■»''» either ,.e
very conveniently fo'ln '"»"'' °' ^""'""<' ''»<1.
Never dij Hojo \C to , ! *-""? ™' °*' ""'i.' road
but he was ve;.y earjfu "t:"';^ "'° "'^•^ °'' '^l-KU".
;>ead in that position • o h , Tl " '"'"' "'S""-
''e-in,. his n.L was 's^ep 1 t ! ""• "'^ "^"^^y
«'eary, disgusted people th H^l '■•^'■'''""='' ''^ "

"»l;acIow" astheKn, ';o,;,^''f"r™''» ^^eat a
••"'d kicked them „v„ niiTli '^"'^ ^°' """" »P
"■aft might demand. ° e.xigencies of state-

»4Tf ti:":;,;;;;; Zd-e^'irr'"™"' •■- *'-

prosperity is gi„cn To ZZ,^ "'T ' P-» -cl
early rulers arc men of p.^I^ tv T ,"""" "' '"'"
advancement and welfare nf,i' ■ ''™ *°'- "'«

eomes the decline and M °f '"'";. P™I''e. Then
:»tl'inff less than one lo, f,! I'l "'''^' "'"='' i«
:»«'Ience, tyranny an 1 detlW l""""^' «^«e.uinacy,
'" ''el^ellion an/ w oi:^'f''f ',"■""'''"« '""-ays
family was no e«ep on i ., "''''""'■ '"'e Hqjo
«ty of following n "td ' t ''''l Z """" ''^ ™ -cel-
•'*"«ee it to sty, " t^^., '" '"»'f^ "f their rule,
^tested by their'^^err e tit, '"";'%."'™>'-lves so
f».nily and by their b te, „ "" ^'"P""'"

'5^' Hojo is^now a sy™ y^f t'T' 1, '"^ '-P'^-

III

H: !:;

166

the

JAPAN; THE LAND OF THE

^KMiNING.

peasants hay,, nanu-d "Hojol.un," for the oxte
> ail annual ceremony is still held.

niination of wliicl

H'l-o IS one n,,,it ,.v,Mit whieh occurred dur

the Hojo rule wl

incr

lieh cannot he passed over in silence

iinniely, the invasion of the .Moik-oI 1

bett

artars. Far

ler would it have been for .Juj.an had there be

other striii'i'-l

for tl

mU's M-itli invadin-' foes from time to
len she wouhl Jiavc had to turn aJl 1

time,

repel the invader, rar,l).-r tl

ler streno-th
iian to those terrible

nitestine strunn-l.-s wliici, led the country so often
over the ver^re of ruin.

Ah-ea.ly in ( "hina the Mon^mls liad overthrown the
rei^nnifi- <ly..asty and extended their rule far and
wide. Marco Pob, that ancient VV-iietian traveller
was residin^r at the court of Kublai Khan, the Tartar
Kmperor. It is not unlikely that Polo, havin<. visited
Japan, as he said he did, conveyed some definite news
concennng that country to the Monool. and perhaps
was the means of incitino- hi.n to attempt the conquest
of those isles of the ocean. No doubt when the
Jartar surveyed the vast territory wjueh he had
subjuoated by the force of arms, he deemed Japan
almost too insi^niificant to need an army to s-ibdue it
Let him but stamp his foot and send an embassy
demandm^r submission, and the thin«- would be accom-
plished. But Kublai Khan had yet to cope with the
god of the dark blue ocean, of whom those island
yonder were the children, and for whose protection
calling- the storm-ood to his aid, he could lash Ids
proud waves into the ->r iMest fury.

At first, only letters were sent demanding submis-

lu' oxtor-
II hold.

I during

II silence,
vs. Far
ere been

to time,
strength

teij-ihle
io often

own the
far nnd
fiiveller,
i Tartfir
' visited
te news
perhaps
inquest
on the
le had
Japan
"•due it.
nbassy
accom-
ith the
island
ectioi
sh his

ibmis-

'THF SAMURAI AN,, hlS LORD.

167

™™.w!;:;:':;:T;r;:.::;^«"^^'^ -«

ji"""-"".'.! ti„,.,„. siv ti,' , "•"■ ".':■'"'" ''■■""""i«.

found, howove,., f,.. „„ , ^^ -.'' «-.v. Tluy

'■«P"f-o.l tl,..,M lu-avelv ■ , "■"' "''■^■'' "''o

'-V"« "ccompiisli, "'.''"'' 'r'"'""' "'"'°'"
*nt „i„„ ,.,„,,„,,,„,,, '^'^ -"-npt .a.„oti„ti.,„„. Ho
of .-emainh,. „nt a u.H ,' ■"'""™<^'-"' «'-,■ i„t.„ti„„

'".ey .v,„„i;c.dt the : ^: ""™"'- "•"" S'™" ' "■

l^-n planted .i.x foe , W ^ "T '"'""■■ '"""« -'""

-l.icl, they know .y,^, Tnt tble l" "'' "'" "'""-'^'-^
got their p,„-tv stnf,. , "'"• J' "'-once tliov lor-

^'^om.. ,', ZX\o%T''''' '"''"'- '^'"'^^
whole country wa, alive viU, „ |ir"""°" ''"" '"'^
'.«!« were ,n,,storod into 1 « '?' P'T™"°"»-
provinces: Kyoto was vol r'" "'"^ ™™"»

;r-; -paired and l^l^'tn^ f ''""''""'
Tartar on the sea An-L ^"^ '''*'^^ ^^le

;-';-* eno„,h-tot:7;;:rcr,"''''r'' "--^^

If fereat Armada came Tf ;
Chinese army numbeiwl '' '^''^^'^ ^he

thoirsand, anLt to ' , ^'""^'^'^^^^ ^"^^ «--n

to.,, no less than three ti.ousand

■!:

168

JAPAN; THE LAND OF THE MORNING.

five hundred ships to briii<,^ it over. lerrible did
this array appear to tlio Japaiu'sc as it loomed up
out of the ocean and swooped down on the coast of
Kiushiu. But the Japanese were ready for them.
Every warriur had ^n-asped liis sword and was in his
phice, and the Heet was ready to sally forth and meet
the monstrous foe. The Buddhist priests and keej)ers
of Shinto shrines also roused themselves fi-om their
indolence, threw away the checkers and dice, and took
to their knees in lonj,' and earnest prayer. Still, it
seemed inevitable that Ja^jan should be crushed, so
terrible did the foe appear. The Japanese had never
seen such inunense Juidvs as those of the Mongols.
These were armed with great catapults for hurling
inunense missiles, and also, it is said, with engines of
European warfare which his Venetian guest had
taught the Tartar to construct. The little Japanese
boats, therefore, were no match for their terrible
opponents. They were, it is true, much lighter and
could sail more swiftly, but the Chinese coxild sink
them so easily with their huge thunderbolts.

There was one thing, however, in which these
hardy islanders excelled their gigantic foe, namely,
in patriotic bravery. They were fighting foi their
home and native land, and, therefore, they held their
lives of less value than ever before. No wonder,
then, that marvellous feats of arms are recorded of
them. One party of thirty Japanese swam out and
boarded a junk, and cut off the heads of the crew.
One of the captains of the army, named Kusanojiro,
embarked with a few picked men in a little boat and

(

THE SAMURAI AND HIS LORD. Kjg

made for tlu- on.my in a ,,..,.tVet Imil-stonn of n.iHsil,.s

He SCO,, sl.ot his skirt- nlon..,si,|. or.o of the ..-oat

JunkH. boanlcMl hor, and i„ tl,., l.aMd-to.|.a,.d n,Mlli,.t

winch .UHU.-d. so ovorcan... tlu- ........y as to I. al.Ie

to set tlH. slnp on tin. and to eseain. with twenty
heads as troi)hies of his victory.

A«-ain, another captain, named Michiari. it seems
'H. lon,i. prayed to the ^.,ds for this invasion. He
had even wnttc-n his prayers on paper, and. hurnin.
them, had swallowed the ashes. His prayers were
H<nv answered, and his heart burned for a hand-to-
hand struggle with the fo.. Kushing out o,» the
shore he challenged the ene.ny to con.bat, an.l then^
apparently unarmed, pushed off with a few brave
comrades to strike the first blow. When they ,saw
him coming, the Chinese thought him either cvLy or
one connng to surrender him.self; they, theretWe,
slackened hre and awaited his approach. In a few
moments he was close alongside one of the junks
and hrowmg out grappling irons, he an.l his fellows'
clambered up over the bulwarks and were in hand-
to-hand conflict with the foe. The keen Japanese
swords worked wonders, the Mongol weapons proving
no match for them. The decks were speedily cleared
the slnp hre.l, and the little band of patriots were off
towanl the shore again, taking with them as a trophy
one of the highest oflicers of tlu.' Mongol fleet

«till, it is evident that the Japanese, while not
allowing the enemy to effect a landing, could not
drive him away from their shores. To the gods
after all belongs the victory. A crisis seem« to have

I '

170 JAPAN; THE LAND OF THE MORNING.

come. All tlio troops Japan could muster were to the
front, l)ut still the enemy confronted them where
they could not cope with him. Tlie priests u-ere busy
too, and us the duys passed by the petitions becan.e
more importunate. At last, the Emperor and ex-
Emperor went in solemn state to the chief priest of
Shnitoism, and writino- ,nit their petitions to the ^^ods,
sent him as a messen^ei- to the great national shrines
at Ise. a^he earnest prayer of the nation w;.s heard
and immediately answered.

Japanese tra.lition has it, that .just at the hour of
noon, when the petition was offei'ed, a dark grey
streak at once appeared in the clear skv, and soon
great masses of clouds, black and ominous,"came out of
their chambers: the gentle breezes that moaned among
tlie pme trees changed to strong giant winds tha*t
roared through temple, grove and forest, wrestling
Anth the great t.-ees and throwing mam- of them
prone upon the ground. One of those terril,le
typhoons, or circular storms, so prevalent at certain
seasons in the Orient, swept down upon the ^roncml's
fleet and became the stern arbiter of defeat. During
our stay in the East, often have we known one of
those terril)le storms to overwhelm the new and well-
equipped motlern steamship and send her hastily to
the bottom. What, then, could those great clumsy
junks do ^ They were simply at the mercy of the
tempest. The waves, lashed to fury by the wind
picke.l up the great hulks like little toys, and
dashed them to pieces one against another. For
others the sea opened wide its great jaws and speedily

THE SAMURA[ AND HIS LORD. I71

Z;'!;'! "'7';, ■■""' "■''"> '•*« '■""«-• -as satiated.

u »„ tl>o roek-b„,„„l e,«»t or .ln,ve far „„t t„ .„
re power o. tl,e M„„,„l „„, |„,k„„, ,„„, „„,
.«. , ,I„1 he r,.t„n, to ,„oie.,t the isla.ul-ho.ue of thi.

^^0((-prot('cte(l nation.

. t h.»,„l U,,,,|,i„ „.„„,,, it 1,,^^.^ ,_^,^,^^ |_^^_| ^|^^_ ^.^^^^
l"l-e.K„ toe .I,.Hecrate,l the l,„„I „f t,|,e S„„-„„,Ule,s
an. vet ,t conl.l har.l,y have heen worse t?,an D
awful .leorad„t,o„ ,„t„ whieh she fell at the hands of

e, own c hddreu. Tl>e elosi,,. .1,,,.., „f th. Hojo rule
were bad hut the little fh.fjer of the Ashika...'. w I

uceeede.] then,, heean.e at last thieker ev. ^ .^
the,r o,„s and Japans cup of surteri,,. ,,, fu
Feudahsn, had reached its baneful clin.ax

Under the Hojo we have seen how the nnlitarv
|overnors s„pp,„„t,„, t,„ ,,,,, ^^ ^

Kyoto beoan.e o,d,- a nan.e. an.i the throne of the
Empero,, ,,,,,, , „„^, ^^^^^^^^^^^ the Ashika.a

« as lost «„d eaeh nnl.tary lor,I beea.ne supren.e

I ""t "V"™""' of territory he was able ti c™,!

ue Ihe Ln.p.re was consequently split into frag-

n ents, the revenues of the Imperial fandl,- were com-

band .n' "" '" '" ""■ '""'■'■y "'■ ■"-■"•"l"«
bands d was ,„ constant danger fron, thieves and

tint . V,! "" ""^ °' ""= '^^'"I«™''» -"» » poor

s h e tVfo H """' °" '"" '""""y "'■ »'- "f i-

sunjects tor the commonest necessaries of life. The

172 JAPAxN ; THE LAND OF THE MORNING.

corpse of ariotlier Jay unburied for days because of
lack ol lands to pay for the interment.

Tins was nothino-, however, to the teri-ible indiunity
winch Japan was subjected to l>y one of those hated
Aslnka^^a. Just about a hundr,.l years after the
destruction of the Chinese Annada, Ashika™ Yoshi-
initsu, the third in that line of Sho^mns/ sent an
end^assy to China bearing, presents, and ncknow-
led^red to a certain e.xtent the authority of (^lina
reeeivnig m return the title of Nippon 0, or Kin<. of
Japan. 1 h.s he did at the expense of his country
snnply to ^^et the title of a kin^^. and exalt hiuiself in'
the eyes of the people. No national insult is looke.l
upon as ben,^. so «reat as this, and no name is so
heaped with the execrations of posterity as that of
Ashika<(a \oshiniitsu.

_ We can now u-ive our readers a picture of feudalism
in all Its pristine glory. A throne in ruins, a country
8-iven up to utter confusion, lawlessness rampant
every man a law unto himself, marauding bands of
fm^booters roving from place to place, towns and
cities pilhiged, villages burne.l and monasteries sacked
IB the background of the picture. Tlie swor.l now
IS the only means of safety, ami he who wiehls it best
alone commands homage and respect. The stron<r
overcome the weak. The nn'ghty men of valor with
wealth at their disposal collect great crowds of armed
retaniers, whom they feed an.l clotlie in retui-n for
service in tlu- held. The fields of the peasants are
place.1 under tribute and the common herd is pressed
into service. Great castles with their lordly walls

THE SAMURAI «ND HIS LOUD. 173

boetli,,^, t,„.,.,.ts ,„„1 ,1,,.,, ,„.„,t. ,i.s,. as il- l,v ,„„„ie

;;;;":,;?;''■" '""•""■— i-pic. Hock"-,:

'S.iret\, and a town sprino-.s up

w.iki, ,„. tl„. <.„„„„. of „ f,„,,„„, |,,„„^,^

;■>"■ "I- ; «;ti. ....I .i,.»t,.„etio„ ,vni »«•„.,,, ,.„ '„

o,„ ,.„stl„ t,„,,„ ,,.,,,.„,,.,| ^,.,,^^,„„_,,_ _^^.^, _.
s , , tlv sc,„„.„. t|„. |,„,,,„„ . , ,,_.,,„,. ^^^

h-tKl,,,,,,™.,,!,,,™!!,,,,.,....,- o,.,.,,l,l,,.,-l,an,l, Tl„.
"hole. o,„„, n- ,„ i„f,,t.,| «.i.l, .spios, „„ tiK.t „„„

«e,. „„.!,... tl,„c„wl of th. ,no.st,.x,,oeti„gto, e
the !<«.„ ,,v„ of a i,,,t,,,, ,•„,,„,„, ^

P....C. «•,.» aKv>.y.s of short ,|ur„tio„ i„ those days
-mere breatlnnK .s|me,.s i„ the constant tug of war
J 1." call to a„ns ,vas, tlierefore, a most fan,iii„

S..tes that ,|„,.er procession of r,„h,l,. arn.ored
U.nh s conl, ,e seen ad^ancinR. „„„,, throu.d,

o.«s.eHo, the town it passes MW the wonderi,,;
eyes „ the women an.l children in the doorways
an.1 ..n over the narrow winding canseway, het C
t.e endless „„,d of the rice-Helds, it «n,l its wal
u t, .enters a deHie of the n.onntain and is lost to

I .«e, the Klean, of a spear or the waving of a
banner may so.iietinies greet the eye
.Soon they, are in the enemy's country, and ner-

cliance ere they omer"-e h;m- tl.,> „,„ /I, ' ,

J lue-ii^t. non, tile cover of the woods,

am-'.

I
!

I j

174 JAPAN; THE LAND OF THE MORNING.

HsliMwri- ,,r arrows I'roia an amimsh hiss and sing
about their ears. Tlicn coii.t'S the battle: arrows at
tirst, and as the .h'stance between the armies is
^^•a.lually lessened, out flashes the sw(,rd an<l the
wa)'riors leap i'oi'wai-d to hew their way to ^ ietoiy or
death. (Jften, as the retai'iers saw cldef meet cliief,
the hoarse roar of battle suidv into the stillness of a
sino-lc. cond^at. Soon one of them has received a
fatal blow: his head is stricken oif and held aloft by
the victor. Thr battle is over, the defeated enemy
Avithdraws only to prepare for another struo-o-k- when
the fates aiv m,„v j.ropitious. Li the 'ineantime
vdlanvs are sacked an.l burned, fields are laid waste,
fiii.l th.. whole country-side is left scarred and'
l)laekened l)y the eoncpierors. In iiothinu^ does dis-
tance lend enchantment as it does in the case of war.
A strano-e o'lamor of hei'oic olory enwreatlis the
warrior of those byora.e .lays, when a nearer view
would dispel the illusion an.l present him in his true
li^'Iit. as ;. ivckless, blood-thirsty savao-e, turnin^^ a
fruitful tiel.l into barrenness, an.l reddening Uie
streams with human gore wherever he nnght pass.

Let us now take a peep at th." Samurai, as the
Japanese wairior was called at home. He is now
without his coat of mail, and is clad in his long flow-
ing robe from shoul.ler to feet. A girdle encircles Ids
waist, which always hol.ls his two swords; for lie
never ai)pears without them. A loose cloak-like
garment with large .)pen sleeves is thrown over his
shoul.lers and reaches a little below his waist, and
upon it i ^he little round crest which t(dls of the

1 1

.SA.MLU.VI AT IKIMK

iiW

176 japan; the land of the morning.

family to vvhich he bdoncrs. From his waist a pair
of -reat skirt-like trousers reacli to liis feet, and iive
Hnn ni the eyes of the foreigner an almost womanly
appearance. The front of his head is shaven into a
kmd of a V-shap., and his back hair is allowed to
grow long, and th.,3n well greased, twisted tightly into
H little cue, an.l brought up so as to protru.Ie slivhtlv
over the V-si,aped surface in front. On his fe^t are
beautiful white tahi made of woven cotton and of
a mit-hke appearance, having a separate apartment
tor th.' great toe, so as to allow tlie thong of the crreat
wooden clog beneath a places to hang upon.

We approach the gate of this warrior's dwellinc^ or
of that of his lord, and we find this also stiTc'tly
guarded. Armed retainers occuj^y the i)ortor's lodge
and challenge every new-comer. Familiar faces are
allowed to pass without further parley. If this be
the home of a lord with a numerous retinue in the
guard-house by the gate are long rows of little peers
on which to hang small thin billets of wood, each with
the name of one of the retainers or ser^'ants upon it
When he goes out he receives this billet and hands it
in upon his return. Should the new-comer excite
■suspicion, he is not allowed to enter, and should he
attempt to do so, a grappling iron, with Imrbed
tongues turned in every direction, mounted on a long
pikestaff, IS thrust in amongst his loose clothes, and
he IS quickly brought to the ground by the use of
anotlier weapon like a double rake, which is shoved
between his legs. If he is still inclined to be obstrep-
erous, a third implement makes him a complete

THE SAMUKAI AND HIS LORD 177

staves are also .if h. i x / '^ecuitiy. Quarter-

— «a.y. ;::;;:'"•""•»'» -^ '>-«„, .f

hand in case tl e intn 1? ™°'''' '"*"»^ "«'' »*

there along U.fta,. L h" "'"'"'" °' ">^ "°'-.
are range.f i„ oT' ' t , '^' "P"'"' --""l ''''"'^-"o

reee.,, .rraLeT l^,/"*"'""-. o- o.'n.-nental

When the ;rrr ."u : t if,: f -rer.
withdrew his lon,T «wn,vl „ 1 1 f f'"'"' he at onee
if he were thai C, ' ^torh V' '", ''" ^''™"''
floor of the vestibule. Th reutl th "' " "P°" "'^
host, if so instrnet^^ 1 ""/""P"" ">« servants of the

napkin in h n ™ ke ^f "'""'''■ ^""''J' -"^en

place it in th lotd rack Ve'^T;"™'""^'^ ""^
elaborate. Both Tue t,' .^"^ f »*''*'<"■» were very

bowed their hel to he fl "' °™^ ''"«" -""^

those of l,igl dt ee Tl ; ""T '™^^ " <="^'' "'
with an impressivfsound *,""'' ^'^ ™=''«' '•■>
thanks werfXed ., 'n V """"^' "' ^■''^'«°"><^ »■•
less fa^ilil : r 'eh othlM """l"^ '^ "' "■"-
and si„.p,y „rawn frt" h •^- .r::' J' T"",''
nght, an indieat.on of friendsl bfor ^.w "" "'"
it could not be easily draw^ ml * '*""'""
X-'.c, les, friendly cire„,„,ta„ees, the sCd C

I I

17s japan; the land of the mohnino.

placed iit the left rciidy for iictioii. Tiic shorter
sword was always worn in the ^drdh; during these
visits, and was only laid aside at times of |)rolonged
festival.

Very scanty is the outline picture, l.ut it will serve
as a helpful introduction to the relation of a ^vvat
historical incident which, aside from heiii;^^ fJic most
famous of all those of feudal times, serves to illustrate
better than any other the peculiar life of this inter-
estint^ period.

A word or two, however, concernin<r the (jevelopment
of the feudal system subsequent to the tiuK! of which
we have been writing, will be necessary us a back-
ground to our story. As long as each oi' these feudal
lords remained independent the one of the other, and
the authorities both at Kyoto and Kaiiinkura con-
tinued too weak to control them, the country was one
continuous scene of war and devastation. This state
of things prevailed until the rise of Tokiigawa Jeyasu,
who subjugated the whole of Japan, built his castle
at Yeddo, the moilern Tokyo, and held the coimtry in
a state of peace. Under his rc'gimr e\H\vy leudal lord
was obliged to spend six months of the year in Yeddo,
accompanied by a goodly retinue of armed retainers.
Tokugawa also kept the families of all tlu; lords as
perpetual hostages at Tokyo.

The throne still existed at Kyoto, but was as over
a gilded bauble. Yet the semblance of autjiority was
retained at the ancient capital, and pt'riodically
Imperial ambassadors came with the brliivsts o^f His
Majesty the Emperor to the coin-t of tlu; ta-eat

i<! Hliorter
riii^f tlioHe
prolongud

will Herve

• I' a ^n-eat

♦ lie most

illu.stmte

lliis iiiter-

^'••Inpiiu'nt
i ol' wliieli
H a liuck-
I'Hc I'lMidal
)(lior, and
kiira con-
y was one
Til in .state
.'a Icyasu,
his castle
onntry in
MKlal lord
in Veddo,
retainers.
(' lords as

IS as over
ofity was
riodically
ts ol' His
■lie great

periodical visit t„ ti„; «;,;'"";;""-"" "> i'.>y i.is

of «„„.«., of iUtl„ i,„,,„,t.: ■^"<-l""=cnsi„„.s were,

Pomt of ceremony ta i • "'T''" ''■'"" "'" ■"'•'"'".

tions were tlierefore n.a.le %■ *, "'"'""'"'" Pi'l«ra-

""e jot or one tittle of tl,! "" '^■'■«Knty. Not

overlooked, nor „, t a .! . T "' "'"'"""'■' '""«' be

in a conntry w , r 't "V"''';'™'^' -''^nony. But
beoon,e so very ZVrl T •™"''' '■''''"^'"e '>«<!
to ren,en,ber Ld umle Jt T! ',"'''™"''''» f™ "'-^y
'i-ntly. whene r h f;:, ' r""""'"^'' C™-
™el. a cercnony drew , ', " P"'*"-'"«"ee of
appointed to cond, ctTt !^ ' "'"' ''''""'' '"«!« were
'- perfect ae„„ai t n ^ l! ! 'T'' ™"'' "°'^'' f^
rit.ml, was con nmn.led to , '"""'"■^ °^ "'is

Perfor,„aneeoftl.e,:;^o!:t::irr'''^^'"™ '-''>«

ort^"c;::;::::i::;;-r--.->ai„yo,

the ca-stle of Ako, i, H ,!a "."''°"'^-™''- '"'''l °'
Kan,ei ,Sa„,a, were am,oh,t , '""' "*"""'«'• »"'"ed
envoy; and another Koffil ,° '"'"" ""'' '"^^^ «'«
"o-Suke, was n..n,e f^ ""T "''^ ''"'»'■'«-

fe."i!.-ar with ail the 1^;, "::'';■;■. '° ■'"'''" 'hem

oyrinth of tins court ritual.

! 1
i
fi

Mft;

'''^S^MiSllK^0m '

180

JAPAN; THE LAND OF THE MORNING.

These two iioblea had, therefore, to ^o daily to the
castle of the Sho(:;un, there to meet Ivotsuke-no-Suke
and receive his instructions.

It is the custom in Japan that wlit'n one goes to
receive any fav(jr ol' another, he nnist himself take a
present to his pros[)ective l»enefactor. So when
Takumi-no-Kami and Kamei Sama went for their
first lesson, (uich In-ought what h(! thought an ade-
quate rc^compense for tlie favor ahout to be received.
This Kotsuke-no-Suko was, liowevor, a sordid fellow,
greedy of gain, and therefore deemed these presents
contemptibly small. He could nv.t of course, accoi'd-
ing to Japanese etiquette, e.xpn"-H at ly thing but the
most elaborate thanks for them; hat when it came to
the actual work of teaching, then Iv- showed his spleen.
He took no pains to instruct, and made all the fun of
them he possil)ly could. This was very galling to
such high-spirited nobles, and soon bore very ominous
fruit. Takumi-no-Kami, being a man of great force
of character and of remarkable self-control, bore
these insults \vitli patience, but his colleague, who
had an impulsive and fiery disposition, soon came to
the end of his tether.

One evening Kamei Sama returned from the castle
in a ra(Te. The insults of Kotsuke-no-Suke had been
greater than he could bear, and revenge was now the
only alternative. The chief men of his clan were
summoned to a secret council, and he laid the whole
matter before them in the following words : " Kotsuke-
no-Suke has insulted Takumi-no-Kami and myself
durino- our service in attendance on the Imperial

THE SAMURAI AND HIS lAHiT). J^l

--r-« I, ,J;;:.!'t'';'' ''*;">■ '•""■"^

still. tl„. lif,, „r „„ ■ ■^" ' «'""! "'.V Imn.l.

an.1 y..u>- servant, w 11 „ l '''" "■"'■'''""■" ''"^'

and to-„,„„ :'t:^^ ';;^; P-l;";:-*-- aoc,„,,i„„y ;

ve-y n„,e,, „,!;;, ,^ Z':T\ '"''"'"■■ ''^'^
affiiirs and rpt,,,., 1/ "ntoitunatc tun, of

-fonnec/in!;", ro^™:::°r''•'''''^''■''»
gueicl that t L'tlef "■'"'■'."'^'=' "" ">^''''y

--in. an tw. t:„ ,„ '" r i:?;' '"" :'*■■ "^'

at once and collected n thn '""•'"''« *' *» work

before bedtin,e wt A T" °""°''" "^ ■''''«'•• ""d
Scattering a undr ''"'""^ "' K„tsuke-„o-S„k-e.

soon u-as S„ > fZ !'""':'"' "'"""^ ""^^ *'-™»ta, he

to act z::J:'T:;:^:z ''"f "'- """ ™'^^

to the lord of ; iHuidred ounces were sent

<vthet;ihL":d'-::K:;:trf^^'''''-'''''>^»

h wiicu ivaniei baraa liad received.

;| !

M ':

i 1,
I I

lit

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

4rj

:/.

f/.

1.0

I.I

112

NiaJB

IL25 i 1.4

III 2.2

1.6

11 x_

^ [lie

Scmces
Corporation

23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580

(716) 372-4503

■1>'

.<v

<«^- ■**.

».

i^ l\

182

JAPAN; THE LAND OF THE MORNING.

Li i: * - i

Kotsuke-no-Suke, tlrnkin^ that Kamei Sama had
rcall}' Hcnt tliis present, was greatly clelij^hted, so
that wlien on tlie followinfj^ moriiing this noble, with
clenclte.l teeth and pent-up hatred, presented liiniself
at the castle, he found the facL of the man wliom he
intended to kill all wreathed in smiles. Now nothing
was too nuioh to do for Ids pupil, and Kamei Sania,
Avondering nnich as to what could have caused this
marvellous change, deferred his anger until a more
convenient season.

Nor was his wonder lessened when he saw the way
in which Kotsuke-no-SuVe treated Takumi-no-Kami.
When tlie latter presented himself for instruction,
nothing could exceed the insolence of his teacher
toward him. Insult upon insult was he^.ped upon
him in the course of the lesson, but all to no avail.
Takumi-no-Kami, although l)oiling with resentment,
still held himself under marvellous self-control. Yet
the last straw was not wanting. Goaded by the very
re.straint of his pupil, Kotsuke-no-Suke at last said
in a very offensive manner : " Here, my Lord Takumi-
no-Kami, tie \^^ the ribbon of my sock!" This, in
itself, was a terrible insult, but still the command
WHS olieyed. Then, with a contemi)tuous kick, the
vindictive old wretch added insult to injury by sa3'ing :
" Why, how clumsy you are ! You can no' so much as
tie up the ribl)on of a sock properly. Anyone can
see that you are a booi from the country, and know
nothing of the manners of Yeddo." Then, with a
contemptuous laugh, he was withdrawing to an inner
apartment, when Takumi sprang to his feet and bade

ro.

Siima had
li(;'hted, so
noble, Avitli
X'd liiinself
1 whom lie
)w nothing
Linei Sania,
i-aused this
til a more

Av the way
i-no-Kami.
ii.sti'uction,
lis teacher
xped upon
> no avail,
escntmciit,
itrjl. Yet
\' the very
b lust said
d Takumi-
ihis, in
coinniand
kick, the
hy sax'ing :
so much as
nj'oiie can
and know
n, with a
o an inner
b and bade

THE SAMLTRAI A\D Mis Loun. ] S.S

i.™«t.,.. "w,.n,wi,„tisitr' ..ai,i ti,o „ti„., ,„„i

" . nn„„K a„„,„.l 1,„ was c„„f,,,„t,,l W ,, ,I,Vk i„
llm l.l,nv l,„|,,l „, it, „ , ■

-ai,, „,„i tiK. , ,1.1 cow,u-,i ,.,.,! „.,,.,,',/,,;: ,:,::';,

cany „,,„. Takn.ui .| ,,|,„, t|„. ,,,,< „ft,.

pillars near by.

Such an o«tn,j;e as tliis, e., ,itt,,l ri,,|,t witliin

Ust, I y ord,,. ot tho «m,.t,c„„„mtu.| /„„,,/,•,; ; ,
c.sen,,,„„.el,„e„t Swift calan.ity ,1,„„ „,,„„. ,;;,„■
• lannly a,„l oian. His castl,. was o.,„H.soat,.,l,'l,is
a mdy pa„,,.,.,s,.,l, a, is wa.-n',,,. .IHv,.,, „„t u> I,e

Z::u;;t;.y™"'''™'''"'-^™''''--"''i' -■'''-

Of tl,. family of this „„f,>,.t„n„te .^„ii,.|,t w,. I„,,r
not!„„ff ,„o„. Tin. story „ow follows th.s. •■ wa

...en "•.osos„.l,l,.nlyfo,„„ltl,.,„sdv.slK.,.Ht„fa

leader Many of th,. I„„btbss. wandered around fo

on,e nne and then entered the serviee of s„,„e othe
fo«.lal lord. Others beean,,. tradespeople an,l jjave up
forever the nneertain Ranie of war. ,So„,e then, were
uvvv^ver who would never ,„ore .serve under anoti.;
c..rf. '.^y l..»i st.ll a .luty to perforu, to the one
they had jnst h,st. The di.s.race of his death un"s

1 I VV ; , ■ '""'"""".at Takun.i hr.atla.d

liLs last, k.>t8uke-no-.Suke was do.aued, if by eonstmt
watehfulness he could not avert tl.e st oke

184

JAPAN; THE LAND OF THE MORNING.

counsellor ol luhu.ui-no-Ka.ai, named Kuranosuke
was away at the en^tle of Ako. Had he been at the'
elbow of lus lord tho story might nave been a very
clifierent one. However, when the die was cast, and
he with tl.e othe... was <lrivon forth a wanderer on
the face of the .arth. an awful purpose of vengeance
grew up ^n h,s s.ul. He picked his n,en, forty-six of
the bravest, and boun<l them by a terrible oath never
to rest, nor to eo,n.t even life dear, until their master
was avenged. Kuranosuke knew, however, that now
was not the t.n.e. Kotsuke-no-Suke, knowing that
an attejnpt to kill bin. would certainly be made, had
doubled lus guard by obtaining the service of his
tather-n.-Iaw s soldiers, and liad also sent spies out in
all dn-ections to ,log the footsteps of the retainers of
the man whose death he had caused.
_ Stmtegy, theri>IV)ro, had to be resorted to. Fortv-
six of t us devoted band of avengers suddenly dis-
appeared Phey di.searded their swords and the dis-
tinctive dmss of a warrior, and when out from under
the eyes of the spies, soon found their way to Tokyo
and engaged in different occupations. On; became a
carpenter, anotluT a greengrocer, and another a shoe-
maker and so on. till it seemed as if they had all for-
saken forever their purpose of vengeance

Only one of the retainers of the fallen nobleman
remamed ,n s.ght. nmnely, their leader, Kuranosuke
and around bun the spies gathered. This m.n, in
order to allay all suspicion, wended his way to Kyoto
and there gave hin.self up to debauchery. No form

THE SAMURAI AND HIS LORD.

185
Of infamy seemed too vik> for him R
low a,s to be found one d-tv h i , ''''" '^"'^ '^

in a state of beast] vW • ^ "^ '''"^''^' '" <^"^ ^^^'^'^^ts

-wd.boi::;s::^-:^./;'!-.t,..p..,^

retainer of tJi<r Hatsnn.n 7 \ ^^''^« ^ P™"'!

Kuranosuke in J^TZm""' "'°' "'"'" ^^^' --

and cried out"! not ^f^^"'^^^

the counsellor oilan Vf' '""■'"^"•^"'-' ^^o ^as

not having heart t<fav ^f "r^^"^""'' ^^^^ ^^ho

"fe "t,cliD OO avenrro Iuq 1/-vi.^J „• 1 .

to such bcastline,, ? Sof 1 ™. !/ i'^'T "l"'"" "^

who began to feci at ret , '. t *''""' '"■''■•''«'••
dent occurred which fl„ U, hXd t 1 1'"""'"' '""'-

a feeling „f .^rfect ..eZit ' LuLt ,?"'' '"^
became so extrava<rn,t f, , . ■^umncsukcs revels

first that your ui^J,:,,;::, tut "aT- ft ""' "'
yourenemvrehiO,i,„,.,t ii\ '* *« niake

this has gone of., "■ J'"* "-'-'Undeed,

put ^o„e°restr::,;*;o„\!Z,T.*! "^r-""; "I '°
appeal seemed to have no ,X fl- . " '""'"'«
than to make him terri' Iv l' "P"" '"' '°''''

her in reply that he h^ t^ ^^''^^ "^^^hly he told
and had fefolt t , , r°""' """'>■ "'■-' °f her.
and take I: !r' ..ri'v :; "'"' ''?; "'"'■'-> """y
i" «Pite of the most -T' "■''"■'■ '"''"■« he did
entreaties Tl e ,ni -■'"■""■''' ""'' heart-rendiu..

'••^- n,e .sp.es, seeu,g this, iu.agiued that alF

t.t'

ifi

il;:

186

JAPAN; THE LAND OF THP: MOHNING.

1 at once returned to Tokyo, where all
vii^ilance was relaxed on the part of Kotsuke-no-Suke

was over, an(

and 1

us elan.

How little did tliev iinatrine that the

sleuth-liound of venfjcance had not even slumbered,
and was, althou^'h hy a very devious course, swiftly
pursuin<f its victim !

Already those retainers of Takumi who had gone
to Tokyo and become tradespeople, had found
entrance to the palace of their victim, had become
thorouohly familiar with every part of the interior,
knew every one of the retainers, and were in a
splendid position to plan a surprise. Silently and
secretly, too, arms had 1 n obtained, armor manu-
factured out of all kinds of odds and ends that they
could lay their hands on, and everything; was made
ready. Kuranosuke then came to Tokyo, and the
final details of the attack were perfected.

Just at the close of the year, on a wild winter's
nioht, when the snow lay thick upon the o-round and
the streets of the o;reat city were well-ni<,di deserted,
this l)and of forty-seven warriors (juietly ijjathered
at the trystino-.pUice, and then maile their way
toward the palace of Lord Kotsuke no-Suke. Ere
they commenced the attack, they sent word to the
neiuhborinir houses of the nol)les, savin<f : " We, the
Roniu [wdve tnen] who were formerly in the service
of Asano Takumi-no-Kami, are this night about to
break into the palace of Kotsuke-no-Suke, to avenge
our lord. As we are neither niglit robbers nor ruffians,
no hurt will be done to the neighl)oring houses. We
pray you to set your minds at rest." As this sordid

whore all
e-no-Suke
3 that the
ihnnbered,

se, swil'tly

1 liad gone
ad found
i<l become
le interior,
were in a
lently and
nor manu-
< that they
was made
3, and the

(1 winter's
ground and
h deserted,
J gathered
their wav
luke. Ere
ord to the
: " We, the
the service
it ahont to
, to avenge
lor ruffians,
ouses. We
this sordid

Bf . . t

188 japan; the land of the morning.

old fellow was hated by hi.s neir,di1)ors also, when this
notice was received they simply kept <|uiet and left
him to his fate.

The story of the assault and struggle is altogether
too lengthy for thesis pages. Suffice it to say,
although his clansmen defended the palace very
valiantly, Kotsuke-no-Suke, coward as he was, liid
him.self in. a charcoal bin, and was only found after a
most difficult search. When dragged out of his
hiding-place he was seated in his own guest-chamber,
and the Ronin gathered around him. Then Kurano-
suke said : " My lord, we are the retainers of Asano
Takumi-no-Kami. Last year your lordship and our
master (piarrelled in the palace, and our master was
sentenced to hara kiri, and his family was ruined.
We have come to-night to avenge him, as is the duty
of faithful and loyal men. I pray your lordship to
acknowledge the justice of our purpose. And now,
my lord, we beseech you to perform kara kiri. I
myself shall have the honor to act as your second,
and when with all humihty I shall have received
your lordship's head, it is my intention to lay it as an
offering upon the grave of Asano Takumi-no-Kami."

True to his base character, Kotsuke-no-Suke simply
remained speechless and trembling, although repeat-
edly entreated by his captors to die in a manner
which befitted his rank. At last Kuranosuke's
patience was thoroughly exhausted, and drawing the
very sword Avith which his master had killed himself,
he cut off the head of his victim. Then the procession
formed again, and carrying the head with them in a

, when this
iot and left

altogether
it to say,
iilace very
e was, hid
uid after a
)ut of his
it-chamber,
!n Kiirano-
s of Asano
ip and our
naster was
'as ruined.
s the duty
lordsliip to
And now,
u kiri. I
ur second,
B received
ly it as an
lO-Kami."
ike simply
^h repeat-
a manner
I'anosuke's
awing the
id himself,
procession
them in a

THE SAMURAI AND HIS LORD. 189

basket, these brave men wended their way. in the
gn^vmg U,U of that winter's morning, across the
city to lakanawa. where their lord was buried On
their way they were kindly entreated by tlie lord of
Sendai who feaste.l them an.l praised them for their
noble deed, Stopping but for a moment or two they
were again on tiieir way to complete their solemn
mission. Ihey were met at the gate of the ten.ple
by the priests, who conducted them to the tomb The
head was washed in a little spring near by and placed
before the tomb of Takumi-no-Kami, accompanied
by incense and prayers.

Kuranosuke, knowing that in a few hours he and
every member of his band must die, gave all the
money he had to the priest, and bade him burv them
all there beside their lord. Soon the Ronin; were
arrested and commanded to commit ham kiri, which
they did with the utmo.st calmness and dignity, and
now they sleep beside their lord. But there are Lty-
eight tombstones there. How comes the extra one %
You will remember the Satsuma warrior who insulted
Kuranosuke when he found him lying drunk in the
ti.ets o Kyoto. Well, when he heard of the noble
deed of the Ronins, he came to their tcmibs, and bowing
m worship before that of Kuranosuke, he said
When I saw you lying drunk by the roadside in
Kyoto I knew not that you were plotting to avenge
your lord, and thinking you a faithless man I
trampled on you and spat in your face as I passed •
and now I have come to ask pardon and offer atone-
ment for the msult of last year." With these words

190

JAPAN; THE LAND OF THE MORXINO.

he drew his sworrl and ended his life by hara kir'i.
The priest, tiikinjj;- pity on him, buried liini iiloncjjside
the Ronin.

Very wild and sava^^e is this story, and yet it por-
trays most clearly the spirit ol' that age of chivalry.
Nor would we wish that spirit to depart in these last
days. Let contact with the loving Christ purge it of
its bloodstains, and let that most beautiful trait of
loyalty, which sacrifices possession and I'aniily to the
cause of truth and righteousness, glow with a new
radiance, and the little Empire of Japan will shine
as a priceless jewel in the diadem of the world's
Redeemer.

fi\

h(ira kiri.
I iiloiiifside

yet it por-
* chivalry.
tiicHc last
mr^v it of
il tniit of
lily to tlie
ith a new
Avill shine
le world's

CHAPTER VII.

THK TRADER AND THK MISSIONARY.

In one of the preeedin^r chapters, mention has already
been n.ar^e of the tluv,. waves of civilization which
have overflowed an.l ix.werfidly iufliumced Japan.
The first of these, namely, that which came from the
Asiatic mainland, permeated thi-ounh und throu-di
with BiKklhism, we have already descrihed. Now
tlierefore, the thread of our narrative leads us to
take at least a ^rlimpse of the second of these waves
cominfT from far away Europe an.l acc(jmpanied by
the Roman Catholic form of Christianity.

We have already threade.l our way downward
throufrli the may.e of Japanese history to tlie time
when the whole country was in the wildest confusion
under the hated Ashika^nt Sho«-uns. It was just at
the close of this, the darkest of all .eriods, that the
Ketojtn,' or " liairy eastern man," first set foot
upon the sacred soil of the Sunrise Kin^r,lom.

The first mention of the Japanese archipelago
made hy any European traveller is what is found
in the writings of Marco Polo, who spent a number
of years at the court of Kublai Khan, the Tartar
Emperor of China. In his book, published in 1298
he speaks of the land of Japangu, lying away
to the eastward of Cliina. The Portuguese, liow-

i: a

■ i • i'

192

JAPAN; THE LAND OF THE MORN'IXO.

over, WC1V th(> first to ivfiily )mll /isidc the veil,
hy l)riiio-in<; (IcHiiitc iiirofiniitioii ('oiicci-iiinjr tliis far-
otr cMstcru coinitry. Already, dmiii^^ tlic early j)art
of the sixteenth eeiitury, thi-se hold adveiituivi's hud
pushed the prows of their h'ttle vessels far out over
tliose eastern seas, and had estahlislied colonies and
trach'ntr-posts, not oidy in India hut also on the iMalncca
peninsula, and at Maeao, in China. They had not,
however, reached the ends of the earth, and were as yot
hi no (hin^^ei- of tuinl)iin«;' over into the ahyss : so those
ea^-er, restless spirits peei-ed out over the dark blue
waters toward the sunrise o-ateway, wonch'Hnf,^ what
Htran<;e scenes and new treasures were still hidden
from tiieir ken hy the em-tain of cloudland

At last.ont- of these adventurers, named Mendez Pinto,
was all unexpectedly thrown upon the coast of this
then unknown country. He and two companions of the
same nationality, for some reason or otlier, embarked
on a junk with Chinese pii-ates. Dui-in^r the expedi-
tion, which \vas no doubt for the pui-pose of plunder,
they we)-e attacked by other pii-ates and their pilot
was killed. A storm then arose and they were driven
far off the coast, and after beatin^^ about for some
time, sinhted the Liu Kiu Islands, the most southerly
of the wdiole ^roup. Unal>le, however, to find a
harbo)-, they aoain put to sea and at last reached
Taneo-ashima, an island near the coast of Kiusliiu.
This was in the year 1542.

These stran<>;ers met with a most kindly reception
from the Japanese, to wJiom, of course, they w^ere
great curiosities. Now for the first time the natives

!.' the v.'il.
n<f this far-
' oiirly pfii't
iitui'cps Imd
ill" out over
olonit'H ati*l
tlie iMaliicca
W had not,

wci'c as yet
ss ; so those
' (lark hhie
vv\u}f wliat
still hidden
.1.

ondez Pinto,
)ast of this
nions of the
', embarked
the expedi-
of phmder,

their pilot
vero driven
t for some
it southerly
to find a
ist reached
)f Kiushiu.

/ reception
they were
tlie natives

rm: tiiadeh and the miss.onarv. ,93
"n-l from tl.at ti,„„ «,,? ' '"• '" "■"" '"' K«»».

'n- ve..y fact ti..t to ,;;;::"''; I-?™'"'' "-

people call «„„„ /„„.„„„,„• J "^ " the country
wind, tl„. Po,.t„«„...s,. •'•.';,,' .";" '"'"'"' ""

--attra.t.,I C the ,::;';; ""'"''Y'"' ■'"'"'""-
Here they „i„L., ol /'r:":; T''!"' 7""™-

ta,„t ««,„,, re„h'zi„f,, it is ,a ?' ■ "■'""'"

'"""lre.I per cent an^ „t 1 ' ""'' "" '"■'-''™

loa.le,l will, p,.e"';;tr '"*''*'' '"""'""' *" CI'".,.

Won.IiTfiihim.st haveseo,n,.,I*I,„ .

those ,Ia,-inj; tra,l,.,., ,„Z u \- "'" ">'"" "'

the Pietu,.„;u ,'■,;::,.*'"'""•■"«' '" '■" ""'' "'

discovered avvav to h , *•'" ''™1''"" ''" '""^

""■'y to the north-eastward' M„f I , ,
thirsty savages wc'e thes,. „,v,„.tl,v i.l , ','"'"
» "■v.li.ed race. ki„,l „,„, ,,,„tl. „ U^, "'" f "■"■ «"
e.-owded cities, beautiful te.^p ' '.,".1 , ;^ ^ """^■"'
'"111 Kold. No wnnde,. ., f ''■"'•>' "' "'l^-er

-ships «-ere Jlen wU ' e tf " r ''"'*'^ "» P°-iWe
to this new El Domdo N ™ " '™'' ™ ""="■ ""y

appointed. The !o™ ^f .r TT "" "■"*■■■' *-
j^ ior,ls of the different provinces of

rili

►r. !

,\f- il

■fhi

''!>:>■

^.^^0'

THE TRADER AND THE .MISSIONARY I95

- j-t ,„. ,.nti,>,„i,i,.. i,,„ .,,,„" , ' I,,.;"",- "'"■"

'"'■n-liaiits ,v,.|v „|l„«-,.,l , , r ' ''"''''«"

Of their (.ivili;^at()n, are sfill f,> 1 c ,

upper classes. ^^ '"'•'"""' "•'-"o- the

Soon, of course, thr news of this won.l.Tfnl Wis
eovory spread far an.l wi.Ie wh.rever •.
™ Wd, .n<I thirst for o.old ,"wV '"'"^'""^
to b.a. the terrors of the :S^^^^^^
sake of a,ini. Another theiv u-.^ I. ,

M.L., , ,K ,„„k.., is (f„,r' H,., too. sought ^ ^

i il;

i'-j:

ii N

ii ill

■ ■ I : I

196

JAPAN; THE LAND OF THE xMORNING.

iljlli

character, and tlie precious metal of loving liearts,
wherewith to make a diadem for the Saviour. This
man was Fatlier Francisco Xavier, a joint founder
with Loyola of the Order of Jesuits, who was sub-
sequently canonized by liis Church.

So often lias it been ours to hear of the sordid
priests sent out by the Romish Church, who make
merchandise of their faith, and glory in their shame
of intrigue and plunder, that one might be led to
suppose that all those who minister at the altars of
that Church bear the same character. Glad, there-
fore, are we to tell of one who bore only his Master's
image and did faithfully his Master's work. May it
not be, therefore, that, under what we believe to be
a false system, there are very many whose lives are
better than their creed, who by faith take strong hold
of the living Christ, and, bearing His cross, go forth
to self-denving service ?

When Mendez Pinto and his companions returned
from that lirst chance-visit to Japan, they took, it is
said, a Japanese with them. A young fellow named
Anjiro, of the Satsuma clan, connnitted nmrder,
and, fearing the consequences, fled to Tanegashima
and embarked for Macao with the Portumiese. He
finally found his way to Goa, on the Malabar coast,
and there mec ting some mis.sionaries of the Church of
Rome, was converted and baptized. He also learned
to read and write Portuguese, and thus became admir-
ably fitted to act as an interpreter.

It was probably through the instrumentality of
this man that Xavier deterinined to go to Japan as a

ING.

vingf hearts,
viour. This
)int founder
tio was sub-

l the sordid
L, who make
their slianie
t be led to
,he altars of
Glad, there-
his Master's
irk. May it
relieve to be
)se lives are
strong hold
OSS, go forth

3ns returned
y took, it is
illow named
ed nnirder,
^anegashinia
^iguese. He
dabar coast,
e Church of
also learned
came admir-

iientality of
) Japan as a

missionai
Japanese

THE TRADER AND THE MISSIONARY,
ly- When Anjii
would be likely to accept C)

197

■,"i'i

ill I

replied: " My people will

'<J was asked AN-hether tl
ristianity, lie
1 , " "■ ^" •■'■' ^iot inmiediatelv asseiif in

Wuce of ,,„esti„„.s, ,ukI, above alC by obs-r it
wlicther ,„y conduct ayrecl witi, ,„y Lj^ r^
|one. the Kin,,, the nobility, and the a,l ' „„ ,
lation won ( flock to rii,.,^f i • ^^

always f„„ou. ..eato,:;'a ::■,,':"'« " """"" "'"'

S; 1; ::,r;: ■;"-■•»'.«'> -"on. the Japano^e.
«otonlyh,,lhe that Imrnin^, ^eal which lavs everv
power ot mind and body on the altar n„d ,, ■> "°'y
which holds tlie »„„! to its V """'■"«''

(ittini, hi,,, t„ . ,,**^""' S*^^""'''""". eminently
Mtn,g l„m to w.ehl a powerfnl inHuenec in hioh

paees as well as in the co on walks of Me sll

"t - fnends at Goa endeavorcl to .lis lie li^

Juig I. of the voyage, of the great risk he ,-a„ of f.,11

coa tot Japan and the terrible typhoons that sweep
tl ! """'," '"'" '^'° »" ""■» Xavier replied

.n.ss.o„aries ought to have as much eoul'^ i't^

198

JAPAN ; THE LAND OF THE MORNING.

N .

and tliMt Ih' r..|(, it, was the will of God tliat he
should m>,

Xavicr i-caclicd .lapan in 1549, landinn^ at Kago-
shinia, at the soutlici-n extivniity of Kinshin. By
tlu' way, it is very intiTesting to note the impres-
sion the .la.j)anes(> made upon him. He tells us that
no iniidcl nation evei- pleased him so much as the
Jaj>an('se. TJuy were not insolent like the Moham-
medans, oi- III thy like the Jews; but, on the contrary,
were so civil and amiable, so free from treachery and
malice, as to lill bim with great wonderment. Remark-
ably similar is this to the experience of many a mis-
sionary of lo-day: and, no doubt, the parallel is
sustained in the rapidity with which it is lost on a
more intimate act|uaintance.

Not uuich could be accomplished by this first mis-
sionary among the warlike Satsuma men of Kago-
shima. Tlu' Portuguese had not favored them with
any of their trade, and, as the missionary brought
with him no material improvements, he was not at all
welcome, .\a\ier, therefore, after acquiring a smat-
tering of the language, set out with his companions
for the m()i't> northerly districts of Kiushiu, where the
people liad been brought more fully into contact with
the foreigner. On the Island of Hirado, and also in
the pi-ovinces of Bungo and Nagato, where foreign
trade was lloni-ishing, he was wannly received by the
people. Besides making use of an interpreter, he read
to tlu'm the (Jospi'l of St. Matthew, translated by
Anjiro into Japanese, and Romanized. Much of what
he read, of euur.Me, lie could not understand, but still

af.v-,i

s first inis-

THE TKADER AND THE MISSIONARY. 199

the very earnestness of the man made the reading of
it very effective. ^

o.^^''^!^"'""' ''°''''''''' ''''-■ ^° '''^'^' ^^'' I»^Penal
cai ata , and there witness for liis Master, even, if pos-
sible, before tJie Emperor himself. Ciradually he had
pushed Ins way, preaching as he went, right up to the
nor hern extremity of Kiushiu. He then croised the
^Stiaits of Shimonoseki, and began his labors on the
main island. He M-as still hundreds of miles from
Kyoto, bu neither this fact nor the terribly unsettled
s ^v^e of the country pro^-ed strong enough to deter

am with" f '"'^ fr "^'^^ "^ '''' ^''''' «^" ' P--"t.
and w th straw san.lals on his feet, he threaded his way

m and out among the hills and over the mountains
^ Inch intervene,]. He was indeed a stranger in a
Strang^ land of robbery and war. Great must have
been the penis encountered and the difficulties over-
come ere he reached his journey's end.

Ac Kyoto he found a fearful state of thino-s No
gorgeous palaces, resplendent within and witho'^it with
platings of gold, of which Marco Polo had spoken
^^.eted his eye. He found there no truly oriental'
couit reve Img in untold luxury, nor even did indica-
tions of a healthy prosperity anywhere meet his ^aze
He walked through the streets of a city devastated
- war and well-nigh in ruins. The gaunt forms of
c esolation aiul poverty not only crept through the
s urns uiKler cover of darkness, but boldlv stalked
a ong the streets in open day, entering the houses
of the nobles and passing by not even the Imperial
palace itself. This was a sore disappointment to

200

japan; the land of the morning.

'ii, ■ 51

Xavier, as was also the well-nigh complete failure of
his nnssion to the capital. He soon found that it
was utterly impossible to gain the ear of the En.iKu-or
or even of the court officials, for the simple reason
that he had no present to offer sufficiently valuable
to act as a talisman and cause the doors of officialdom
to fly open He then tried preaching in the streets,
but that also failed to gain the ear of the people on
account of his not having an adequate command' of
the language. Completely disheartened by these stern
realities, he very soon quitted the city, never to return
Were in defeat his mission ended, and with it his life
on eartli Taking ship he went over to Macao, and
shortly after, in the year 1551, breathed his last at
fehan-Shian, on the Canton River.

The self-denying labors of this zealous evanirel
however, were by no means spent for naucrlit He'
not only went forth along dangerous pathways and
preached the Gospel himself, but inspired many others
to follow in his footsteps. It was his simply to push
open a door, wide and effectual ; it was for others to
enter m. He went forth in tears bearing the precious
seed, the harvest of which others, who luid never felt
the crown of thorns as he had, should garner in
with songs of rejoicing.

Within five years of Xavier's visit to Kyoto no less
than seven churches were established right in the
vicinity of the city, and already away to the south-
west the followers of this devoted missionary had
worked wonders in turning hundreds and hundreds
of people from their idols to the worship of the Living

THE TUADER AND THE MI.SS.ONARV. 201

Gfod. Kiushiu, however u->« fi

'-■•l« 'l«.-e,l t s,«r t, '■■"' *'"■"« '■'■"■'"I

step. In ],5S1 iust , t " ■■"'"" ""l'"rtaMt

of xavi..,' i«:- : I ^'-'T^rr^'" "■" "■"«

less than t«„ 1„„„|T,,'.,:'*°''' ' "" "'«'■» ^ver„ „o

causesof this ustoj.iM, ,•„,.] •, ^^^^nii . Dk,

anes found i-P-irJ^r ,.,. , ,. " ^'^^ nnssion-

to the Io«e W ti? ;'"'" *'"^ ''"'■^''■»» of «-«'■ m.

ife ori,,i„. B„.Ml>is,„, h,u t '^ '-y -l.ola>-,s knew
h-I degenerated into a Zn^.^V:T'"f """"■■
and .nasses, in wind, ,.,!>' Tf ' "' l"'*y'=''«

onlybythenieri of 1 ?' '''°"'^' ''^ Pwd'ased

'il

i r

202

japan; the land of the morning.

and a sensuous worsliip captivated the minds of the
people, while indulgences were sold, and saints' days,
holidays and festivals were nniltiplied.

"The Japanese are an intensely imaginative people;
and whatever appeals to the aesthetics of sense or
fires the imagination, leads the masses captive at the
will of their religious leaders. The priests of Rome
came with crucifixes in their hands, elocjuence on
their lips, and with their rich dres.ses, impressive
ceremonies, processions and mysteries out-dazzled the
scenic display of the Buddhists They hrought pic-
tures, gilt crosses and images, and erected gorgeous
altars which they used as illuminated texts for their
sermons. They preached the doctrine of an immediate
entrance into paradise after death to all believers — a
doctrine which thrilled their hearers to an uncontrol-
lable pitch of enthusiasm. Buddhism promises rest
in heaven only after many transfor'nations. births,
and the repeated miseries of life and death, the very
thought of which wearies the soul. The story of the
Cross, made vivid by burning eloquence, tears har-
rowing pictures and colored images, which bridged
the gulf of remoteness and made the act of Calvary
near and intensely real, melted the hearts of the im-
pressible natives. Furthermore, the transition from
the religion of India to that of Rome was extremely
easy. The very idols of Buddha served, after a little
alteration with the chisel, for the images of Christ.
The Buddhist saints were easily transformed into the
twelve apo.">tles. The cross took the place of the
torii. It was emblazoned on the helmets and banners

^^mm\

IN(1

ninds of the
.saints' (-lays,

ativo people;
of sense or
.ptive at the
sts of Rome
loqueuce on
., impressive
>dazzled the
brought pic-
ed gorgeous
xts for their
n immediate
believers — a
n uncoiitrol-
iromises rest
:ions. births,
ith, the very-
story of the
:, tears har-
lich bridged
'j of Calvary
bs of the im-
nsitioii from
is extremely
after a little
es of Christ,
ned into the
)lace of the
and banners

THE TRADER AND THE MI.S.SIONARV. 203

Of the warriors, ar.d ond,roi,hnvd on their hrea.sts
nie .iapan.s,. soldiers went forth to battle like Chris-
tian crusaders. L, the roadside shrine, Kwanon
the goddess of M.rey, n.ade way fo. tho Vi,giu tl^
mother of Cod. Buddhisn. was beaten with Tts o!v^
weapon.. Its own artillery was turned again.st it
Nearly nil the Chri.stian ehurehes were native tem-
plo,s. .spnnkled and purified. The .san.e bell, who.se
boon, ha.l so often ,,uivered the air. announcing the
onsons and matins of paganisn.. was again blessed
un. spnnkled, and called the .san.e hearers to nmss
and con e.ss.o.i: the .sa,..e lavatory that fronted the
ten.ple, for holy water of baptismal font : the .san.e
censer that swung before Amida could be refilled to
waft Christian incen.se ; the new convert could use
nnehange,] his old beads, bells, candles, incense, and
all the paraphernalia of his old faith in the celebra-
tion of the new."

The secon.l quotation is from MacFarlane's work
on Japan, and throws a uni.pie sidedight on this
question of the introduction of Christianity •

" The merchants found a ready and most profitable
market for their goods; the missionaries, an intellec-
tual and tolerant people, very willing to listen to the
les.sons which they had to teach then.. There was
no one established, dominant religion in the country
the most a.icient faith was split into sects, and there'
were at lea.st three other religions importe.l from
foreign countries, and tolerated in the most perfect
manner. Moreover, a faith, .said to be of Brahminical
origin, and which had been imported from India was

: 1'
[ i ;_

' ''IK

' il

204

JAPAN; TFIE LAND OV THE MORNING.

.n .

tit tlio time, widely spivud ain()n<r the people, and at
one time appears to have l.eeii universal. This faith
bore so near a resemhlanee to the dcjctrines introduced
by the Poi-tuouese, that it nmst have <rreatly favored
theii- reception. It apju-ars to liave comprised the
e.iy tenet; death, und resurreetlon of a Saviour, horn
of a virffin, with almost every other essential do<,mia
of C'liristianity, includin<( the belief in the Trinity.
If this b(! a true statement and a correct description,
and if we then add to it the tradition, that this form'
of reli(,don was introduced under the reiirii of the
Chinese Emperoi- Mimte, who a.scended the throne
in about the fiftieth yeai> of the Christian era, can
w(! avoid admittino- the conclnsion that some early
apostle reached the eastern extremity of Asia, if not
the islands themselves of Japan f

We must now inllict upon our readers some more
of tliese stran^-e Japanese names, with the promise
that they will be used so frequently as to become
familiar, ^riie story of the rise and fall of Roman
Catholicism in Japan, as well as that of the pro^-ress
of national events down to the middle of the present
century, clusters around three famous historical char-
acters, Xobunao-a, Hideyoshi and Tokuoawa leyasu.

It was the first named of these who put an end to
the hated rule of the Ashikaoa. In Nobuna«ra, who
was of Taira blood, the throne was again blessed
wath a powerful champion Son of a feudal lord,
he inherited his father's castle and retainers, and
soon after gainino- possession of them, he went forth
and by the force of arms subdued six or seven other

. u

'^A

IXO.

C'Oplc, !lll(l fit

'I'liis faith
's iiitrodiicod
'fitly favored
mprist'd the
tio'umr, horn
ntial dotrma
the I'rinity.

des(.'ri|»ti()ii,
lat this form
"eiifn of the

tlie tlirone

<ian c'l'a, can

' SOUK' early

Asia, if not

1 some more
the promise
i to become
1 of Roman
the proo-ress

the present
torical cliar-
\'a lex'asu.
it an end to
)nnao;a, wlio
:ain blessed
Feudal lord,
;ainers, and

went forth
seven other

^m\

'ij|il'''iii !. i' :!ii!vjii:

THE TBADElt AND THE MrsslONARV. 207

pr-ovi„c..s .,,,,1 ,,, |„,t^,„t ,„,„.„,■„, „,. ,.
H. ■■.. uall,. ,,. ,l,.|,„.s,.,| U„. Si,.,,,,,,, ,„ .,;„.,,t ,,„„•■

""'".'■";'"«"" i'i«i-yt.,ti,..Kn,,„.,,„.,„;u„u,„

""'■;:"" ™r;"|- ^- -"«" «■„» ,. i„;v,. ,.,„i ,kiif„i

K«t^..n o tlK. „H„„. j;,,,„t c.|„„., „„ „i t„ |,,.,„;„ .
»^.lu to toMmv „|, ,„ ,„,„.,. the vict,,,-!..., khI,,,.,! h, war

t..«,U. S th,. two ;,,,,.t ,vlif;i„„., „.hi,.h h, hi» ,h,V

woro »tn,f;;rh„f; f,„- th.- „,„st,.rv. Th,.,v is „„ „,,,„';

«o hHt.,1 i,y th,, B,„i.ihi„t„ n.s ti,.;t .„• x.,,„„„ : I :

on the other han,l ti.o Kon„m Cathoiics la,„| It to til:

•'■!.:» .nan strn,* B„,i,||,i,„, „ |,|„„. ,.,„„

1 as never reeovere,!. The faith „f ii„,l,|ha. Iil<e fen.1-
»l.»n., r..ach,,l th.. h..,Vht .,f it, ,,„,,, |„,,„^^^'^

winch , ,a,ie every t.a-t,He.l eastle a little ki„f;.l„,„ i„
» II, also ha. ,t,s eHeet n,,.,n Bn.i.lhisn,, in ca^.sin. i

not on y to .lefen.l itself, ,,„t to .l..vel., i|it;,.y

■xtrenKth neee.ss,iry to play a wi „jj ,,,,, ,„ y,^

nn^hty ehe.ss-boar,l .,f i,.t..sti„e war." iT.any 1 e

n.™aster,e,s beea.ne e„or,„on., f.,rtresses, ,uk1 "he

pr«.sts were »o traine.1 that in a trice they co„W cant

off I , ™cre.l vesfnonts, an.l, .l„„„i„,, the annor

t the kn,«ht, ,„arc-h f.aih to battle. Nor were

then- war-hke preparations all n,ere pant,.n,in,e ■

even pr.e.* fo„„,l foe., worthy of their .sl-el in fe.'

ther pnests of other Budui.i,t *ects. Temples were

! ■ I,

III

1 ^

iff

!!i! 1i|l!

ii <t '

liiiiii

P3iJff|

208

JAPAN ; THE LAND OF THE MORNING.

taken by storin, shi'inoH were desecrated, and helpless
victims slain by those who were wont to worship the
same placid-l'aced inuio'e of Buddha.

In some of the ^reat monasteries, like that of
Hiyeizan, near Kyoto, which enclosed, it is said,
thirteen valleys and over five hundred temples, shrines
and priestly dwellings, thousands of monks were
cono^ret^ated. Here they did more than burn incense
and chant masses ; they ^-ave themselves up to lives
of luxury and licentiousness ; they schemed and
plotted behind those sacred walls, and thus became a
nuL^hty political force to turn all the fortunes of the
stru<2^gles ^oiny; on around them to their own account.

Nobuna^a gi'ew up to hate the whole system. It
was not the religious side of Buddhism which caused
this hatred. For that matter, it is alto<>;ether probable
that he cared just as nuich for Buddhism as he did for
Christianity, as far as the worship was concerned. It
was the political phase which I'oused his antan;onism
and j^ave bii'th to the determination to overthrow
that which had become a terrible menace to the
State. We cannot linj^er to tell of the stru*(f^le
which ensued, of the overthrow of all these great
monastic castles and of the terril)le slaughter, except
to say that Nobuuaga did his work very tiioroughly,
and when the last spark of that conflict died in its
own ashes, the glory of Buddhism lay prone in the
dust never to rise au'ain,

All this, of course, had its reflex influence upon
Christianity. Already it had risen into such import-
ance that Nobunaga saw in it a scourge with which

:! '

IXING.

1, and helpless
to worship the

like that of
mI, it is said,
einples, shrines

monks were
ti burn incense
es up to lives
schemed and
thus became a
iji'tunes of the
• own account,
lie system. It

which caused
L'ther probable

I as he did for
concerned. It
lis anta<2;onism
to overthrow
lenace to the

the struf^jijle

II these ^Teat
u<j;hter, except
y thorou(i;hly,
ict died in its

prone in the

ritluence iipon
) such import-
zc with which

THE TRADER AND THE MISSIONARY. 209

to punish his enemies the Buddhists Tf. fi <•

-pou.sed the „.. ,,u,,. N<, ";;; ..t '^ ".u,:

ten thousam a vcir Tl.,w i • i • "^"^ ^^'^e ot

est.hU.K.] ,J ^'^w^locrical seminaries were

Japanese Chnst a„s „F ,.,„„ ,„,J„, ,,, „„, .l^l^^^

?o I ;:,: r" ^"' '^*^'^ '™" *hroe ch..i.tir„

Pm TN f ■;;'? "™«"iflee„t presents for the

IZm ^''"''"/-yf t''<-'iM<."n>ey to the eternal city
wouW besufflcent of itself to fill a «oo,:l-siz«l volu.nT
Tiaveli„,g was slow and hamnlous in those days and
«ch a journey was, therefore, a .natter not „f weeks
o even of months, but of years, and contained in its
>aued expenenco. .,uite a liberal education Tl i
embassy reached its destination in tin.e to witness a
Si.:r v' '"" ""'"""^ " "'^ enthronement ofTpe
Rome, ever wi.,e in her day and generation made
a.snn,ch as possible out of the conl.s of thi'sit e
company tron, the far East. The embassy never n I
fessed to represent the Government of their count^^-
they snnply brought doeun.onts containing words ^f
greehnf; and of reverent hon,ag„ to (he ^rca he,.1 P
the Church fron, three feudal lords, whrSo;'

^S»'

■mi

111

210

JAPAN ; THE LAND OF THE MOllNIXG.

¥\

lay away to the extreme south-west and far from the
capital. This was tlie fact that was maj^nified into
an event of great national importanee, and tlie newly
discovered Empire of Japan, a nation of marvellous
wealth, was represented ascomin<^ and seeking admis-
sion into the fold of the Church.

After the death of Nobunaga, the reins of power
soon fell into the hands of another mighty leader by
the name of Hideyoshi, one of tlu.' most singular
characters among all the great men of Japan. Con-
trary to the general rtile, not a drop of blue blood
coursed through his veins. He was a plebeian of the
plebeians. In fact, he conuneneed his career as a
stable-boy, and as such he first drew the attention of
Nobunaga, who caught sight of him among the
horses. It was Hideyoshi's ugly, monkey-like face
and strangely twinkling eyes that attracted attention.
The creat jjeneral saw in him the makin"'s of a
splendid soldier, and therefore encouraged him to
do his best in that direction. Nor was he disap-
pointed. Nobunaga even lived to see the day when
that little, ugly stable-boy had developed into his
foremost general.

Hideyoshi took up the lines just where Nobunaga
laid them down, and accomplished that which lay
beyond the power of his predecessor. He maintained
the same attitude towards the Buddhists, and suc-
ceeded in destroying what little power was left to
them. He subjugated the most of the feudal lords,
and bound the strongest of them all by the ties of
self-interest to hinxself, and bestowed a peace upon

THE TRADER AND THE MISSIONARY. 211

the wJiole lan.l such as had unf 1 ,

many years Tl„. .1^' \ ''" ^^'"o^vn for

-vived, I:: X tv In:; ; -ir'"? '^' ^^^-^^^-^
first reve..e.s »,,/,,,;: ;t:';;f ;';'■' Y """■ "''" ■■'■'

.nt; the ascend,,,,,,,.,,,., ,,,„„,, '";;"««-'-
leas., of authority, seemerl to 1, '."""*''f -i lo„g

"- faith a. N„li;„„^: , 'b :„" s""''t'' " '° "'^
change ea„,e. Two tiri,,™ ,' ■,, ,*'«'". '""-ver, a
While It Tul- * , " • "^ "'■^''"'■'""w.l hisanr^er

° at lakata,u ph.ce on the sea-co-,st ■, P T
guess vessel ha,,pene.l to be i„ tl,.,, ,"■ , , "'*""
Hi<Ieyosl,i ordered the e«, f, ' I "'"''■'"'■''""'I, and

narrow and shallow 1,.' I 'to ,'. 7"^" ''"'" "
the captain refuscl tn ,1 , ,, ''"■'"-' '"'"• '''I"-''

upon !,in,se;f ! ' fc„::'f :;-^-'°'-« ^r^" ''«-"

wrath of this n,ise,.able tyrint ''™" '"" ""'""»'™

On another occasion, Hidevoslii wl,
L^ertine, becan,e ena,,,™,,.?: ■ ' '' W r"" "°''''
of great beauty, who, howeve, ,'1 f f'"" ■'""*"
very ;„dig„„ntly This , ',s ' " overtures

eount,y^.„pJ:,,,i::::-:;;^-«;-n,s„eba
of Jesus was '1 lt\.,-., . i i '^''^^'^'''^ or the rehp-iou

"•>;i- he wrid":;:^ c: : r r«'r:f™' -"r

oi-<Iered all tlie Jesuits n„f v ! '*'"^''''' ^'*^

;"»..e.uhatc,.,.i:-;;xr :,;':;::;"T•"■''r^"■;■-

ptl

"»'

)

'!|f

212

.l/Vl'AN; THE LAND OF THE MORNING.

>i I

Imt were (lt>t erred by the fact that no ship sailed for
six mouths, and (hu-in<;- this period tlie storm blew
over They then hetook tliemselves to the protection
oF the ('hristian feudal lords, and carried on their
work as successfully as ever. Bitter persecution,
liowever, came down upon the Church in many places
where (he autiiorities were anta^^onistic ; but still
these oidy st>r\ed to strengthen tlie nerve of the mis-
sionaries, and make them still more earnest in their
work of winning souls. Had uo other enemies arisen
Christianity might still have lived and prospered;
but a more ominous storm-cloud was fast darkening

the sky.

In the y(>ar 1 5!)2, the Spaniards from the Philippine
Islands sent an ambassador to Japan for the purpose
of securing trade relations, and, if possible, to oust the
Portug\iese, Along with these came several Francis-
can priests, who eventually asked permission to build
houses and reside in the Imperial city. Hideyoshi,
howescr, looking upon these fellows with great sus-
picion, was not inclined to let them remain, and was
oidy h'd to do so from the fact that they were in con-
nection with the Spanish ambassador then stopping
in th(> city. Wiien the permission was granted to
these priests to remain, it was distinctly stipulated
that they were not to preach Christianity. This
promise, given in good faith, did not, however, prove
an ert'ectual restraint to tliese unscrupulous Fran-
ciscans, In a short time they were in the streets,
robed in all their vestments, haranguing the people.
Is' or dit! they confine themselves to the proclamation

'! 1 !!

I <f it

RNING.

ship sailed for
lie stoi'm blew
) the protection
Lirried on their
er persecution,

in many places
istie ; but still
srve of the mis-
earnest in their
■ enemies arisen
and prospered ;

fast darkening

n the Philippine
for the purpose
sil)le, to oust the
several Francis-
mission to build
ity. Hideyoshi,
with great sus-
remain, and was
ley were in con-
)r then stopping
was granted to
jictly stipulated
•istianity. This
, however, prove
crupulous Fran-
3 in the streets,
uing the people.
the proclaniation

THE TRADER AND THE MISSIONARY. 213

of the Gospel message, but began to bitterly att-.r-V
heir brethren the Jesuits, and to stir p 1st:'
eoi^ntions as possible in Christian comu.uiidL^

riXt^^TfT''^''' ''''' ""^^ "P- ^'-- who
who f 1 ' '"^ ^^'"" "i^^^" ^'^« consecrated men

who followed „i tlie footsteps of the sainted Xaver
lluee Portuguese Jesuits, six Spanish Francis^Vn '
^na seventeen native Christians J.r. crucified. X!^
.net tlieir terrible fate with the utmo.st joy tZ
darned. lemselvesniai.^^^^

uif'aik ", 7 """'' '"""^''''^ ''^'^ '^'^--t ^--"'t of
H W Tl V"""" ""^^ to a heathen rule.

ai d their religion sunply as a system of worship
but^l—hesawin^^^

wlio w.,v .1 • , .Siwmsli sea-captan,

" .o «as slunvnio; 1,„„ ,„„| i,;^

•Spa,,, a,„I all l,„.. colonies. Wh.,, askcl l,ow hi

t o ,t pncsts to eonv.rt the people to Christianity
.".1 then ,t became necessary in a little while to send
ou sokhers to aftbr,l these native Christians p7,tS

stCs it s ; " "'"' "'™^' °"'"- «'"'"'"■ -■•—

. I ,t there was hehin,! this .eal for Christ a deep-

Tdtr I? ;"'•'•'?:'•"""*"''"""' *'--"»''-ys.-adnalfv
U"Je, the don,n,at,on of a foreign power. Suspicions

■

itttiUl I

214 JAPAN; THE LAND OF THE MORNING.

tlius created ^rew sti-on^ror and stronger in the
national niiiid, and finally resulted in tlie overthrow
of the Konian Catliolic Church and the expulsion of
every foreio'n missionary fi'oni Japan.

The next move of Hideyoshi was tlie invasion of
Corea. Fo:- loiio' enouo'h tliis liad been liis ambition,
and now, when all was peace at home and his soldiei-s
were eager for a tioht, he was in a position to gratify
his desiiv. Under the misrule of the Ashikaga, Corea
had ceased to })ay lier ti-ibute to Japan. This Hide-
yoshi seized on as a pretext, only to find it fail, for
he only had to send an envoy demanding the tribute
to have it promptly forthcoming. The restless spirit
of the old warrioi\ however, could not relin([uish his
warlike designs, and preparations were therefore made
for the invasion.

The strength of Christianity in Japan is here shown
in the fact that the Christian lords of the extreme
south-west \olunteered to raise an army of the
followers of Jesus to take part in the expedition.
This was accei)ted by the old general, not so much
because he believed in the loyalty of the Christians
to hinjself, but beCidse he saw in it a splendid oppor-
tunity of ridding himself and his country of this
troublesome political factor. His thought was that
if he succeeded in concjuering Corea, these Christians
could be made to }'emain there as colonists : if, on the
otlier hand, he was defeated, then he could leave them
to their fate of being consumed by the enemy. But
how often "the best laid schemes o' mice and men
gang aft a-gley." He did not succeed in subduing

THE TRADER AND THE MISSIONARY. 215

Corm, but tla. Ci,ri„ti,u,s woi-e onabiod to .vtun, to
tlmr native kn.I, baviujr won ab.nulant lamx-k in tbo

' •'"'1. »";i w,tl, ,t can,. tl„. bitterest ,la.v, ol' nmrtv,-
''""" '"".I '■>"■' to tla. lollowers „f tl,c Cim, The

^1.. k K., the w„,.|< of evangelisation: I'o,- ,.„w we
f.n.i that , ha,| .,,„,„„, „„,„,„.,,,,, _^,,, ^ ^«

extrennty o ,|„. ,„„,•„ i.,|,,„|. Son.e c,>„,,,n,e the
"."ber ot Cb,-.»tians to bave been nearl v two n,illi„„„
uh e tbe v,.,y owest estin,ate is six lu,n,b-e.l tbou-
sa Kl. Certa.n ,t ,s, that at the death of Ilidevoshi
h,ch ooenired „, ,31)8, the Chnreh of Ron.e bid fai;
to over»,uvad Japan even faster than l,ad its prede-
por, Bn.ldl,,sn,. But the flaw in Kon.es u, or
has ever been her pobtical intrigue. Had she swun.
P ect y eiear of all the eon.pron.isin. relationship!
" '' "'"* ^\''° «"''1«1 on the sword of cononelt
and were „,sp,red by the sordid n.otives of .ain Ion.
ere Ins Japan wouhl ha^■e been a ebild of the Chnrcir
rhe story of her downfall n.ust be left to another

CHAPTER Via

TOKUOAWA'S TRIUMPH.

We have come now in our story to the very threshold
oi a new era in the life of Japan. Her ^n-eat need
dunn^r the years ^rone by had been for a man tower-
ing away above even the mightiest, and able to bear
rule over the whole nation. At last that need was
abundantly supplied in Tokugawa leyasu, the Na-
poleon of his tin.e. It was he who. through the
tremendous force of his character as nmch as by
the power of the sword. cemeiUed together all the
heterogeneous fragments into which feudalism had
broken the nation, and made every single local ruler
snnply the nistrument of his will. He also founded
a dynasty of Shoguns that for two hundred and
htty years never relin-piished the grasp of authority
lie had acquired, and which silenced forever the dis-
cordant roar of feudal strife.

_ Very, very sad, however, is the tale of the expul-
sion of the foreigners and the extermination of the
native Christians, which must be laid at the door of
this great man and his descendants.

From the very beginning of the sui)remacy of
Mideyoshi, Tokugawa had been only second to him
in power, and during that whole period he had been
strengthening himself away eastward in the Kuanto
and had also begun the building of the famous city

PH.

e very threshold
Her ^a-eat need
n- a man to wer-
gild able to bear

that need was
eyasu, the Na-
o, thi-oii^-h tlie
i.s niucli as by
ogetlier all the

feudalism had
ngle local ruler
[e also founded
) hundred and
ip of authority
Forever the dis-

of the expul-
lination of the
at the door of

supremacy of
second to him
1 he had been
iu the Kuanto,
e famous city

tokugawa's triumph. 217

of Yeddo, which was destino,? f.^ i i •

Upon the .loath of ffil™, "1 T ■*, '"'"""■

fK.,f ^1^ 1 niutyosln, th(> western oi-ds saw

that i„k„.,.wa wa., tl.c „„. wl„, wo„l,] now .s n

toblvak- if ""'"""" "' H„leyo»iu and .letonninod

Amono- those who opposed liim .,f ^..l-,' i
the f-inuwiv n] ■ .■ ^^ '^t^'ki^^ahara were

h d r ^ r ^-"^^'^-''^''^ -^<1 their soMiers who

f:'::ott:r;ft!:-,r:;;,^^'-;"

"und ha,,, t„ aeeo„,pli«„. For the «,..!:" ■,;;^

wen iu]c.i.s.an(l even went so far in some oases ,s
-sort to „ru,s and l„„o.,she,l. The f „f t .ed
.obelhon a,„„n« peasants was something; so new to
Jokugawa tl>at he was led to suspect forri.n i ,, , '

.on and to deternnne upon the expulsi™ "f tte
foreign priests. ®

1 1 >4

I i

i": ;

ifi-'-

-3

iii

■'

■11

■'

(

■j3

TOKUGAVVa's THIUMI'H. 219

Another factor M-hich playe<l a vory important part
Ml the struu-ule now innnincnt .lenuin.ls o.ir attention
at tins juncture. I^p to this time the Portu^mese luul
practically a n.onopoly of the whole foreign, trade
with Japan. Th.. Spaniar.is, it is true. entere<l a.s
their rivals, hut there is no recor.l of their havin-r
">a.Ie very much headway. Now a n.w <-ompetitor
entered the tield, and <,ne in whom the Portm-uese
"'et more than their match. The Dutch succee<led
in utterly ousting- their old-time en.M.ies, and had
the satisfaction of .seeino- then. <lriven from the
neld.

En^-lund had not yet entere.l ui,on the .stru<-.de
which eventually ma<le Iier mistress of the seas; ';ui,l
yet It was to the skill, sense and couraoe of an En..-
l.shman that the Dutch owed their Hrst access to
Japan and the first a^Ivantao-es chained bv them in
that country. The name of Will Adams excites more
tlian ordinary interest in the mind of anvone who is
familiar with this period of Japanese hi.story In
the year lof)8, he embarked as pilot on board 'one of
a fleet of five Dutch merchantmen bound around the
Horn for the far east. Two years afterwar.ls, the
only ship that had escaped the furv of the seas, the
one in which Will Adams sailed, sin.hted the coa.st of
IViusiuu, with scarcely men enou<rh to take in sail or
to raise or Iow.t the anchor. The history of their
voyao-e from Holland is s.^methinc. frio-htfil indeed
but camiot. of course, fiml a place in these pages.'
Un their arrival in Japan they were treated very
kindly by the people, until some Portuguese priests

I if!

! i'^

220

japan; the land ok tiik mohning.

(•Hliic to Hi;u tliciii, \vli(., wlicM they huw tluit til." new
urrivals wert) tlicii' Iwitcd ...icini.'s. tli." J)utcl., roused
the .lapuncHc u^rninHt tluMii hy circuhitin^r tln" ivpovt
that tli.'y were piniti's, l.ciit on i.otliiiin. l,„t umnlvv
uu.l roblmry. The Nliip was tlic. sri/...,| aii.l tin- crew
made prisoners. Ii,d,.rd, tlie p.-ople iM'canic s., in-
c("!ised an-ainst them that they were in oreat danuvr
o| heino' put to death without further ceremony.
Fortunately For them, however, the ease was refen-ed
to the e<ii)ital, and Adams and one ,,r the mariners
were ordered to be brouoht thither. We will now
let Will Adams tell a little of his own story :

"Iwasearried in one oi" the Kino-'s o'alleys to the
court of Osaka, about eiu'ht leaoues IVom the place
where the ship was. The 12th of May, KiOO, I came
to the ^rreat Kinos city, who caused me to be bi-oueht
into the palace, beino' a wondei-Fully costlv house,
^nlded with or,M in abundance. Coininn- before the'
Kin^r, he viewed me well and seemed to b<' kind and
wonderfully fav(jiuble.

"He made many sie'us unto me, some of which I
understood and some I tUd not. In the end there
came one who could speak Portuouese. By him the
Kin^r demande<l .)f what land I was, and what mow]
UH to come to his land, l)eino- so far ott! I showed
unto him the name of our country, and that our land
had lon^r souo-ht out the East In.lies, and .lesired
friendship with all kin^r.s and potentates in the way
of merchandise, havino- in our land divers connnoditie.s
which these lands had not; and also to buy such
mercliandise in this as our land had not. Tlien the

HOUMXfJ.

^HAV (hat tlu' ni'w
lit' Dutch, roused
liitiu;^' the rt'p())t
linn- hut murder
<<■•! iind the cnnv
I' l)i'c.'iiii(' so ill-
ill ;;reHt dau^^c!!*
rthei- ceremony,
•ase was refen-ed
of the mariners
We \sill now
1 st(My :

;'s oalley.s to tlie
IVom the phice
ly, KiOO, 1 came
le to be brouy-ht
\y costly house,
nino- before tile
to be kind and

)me of which I
the end there
e. By him the
nd what moved
(jtf! I showed
d that our laud
.'s, and desired
ites ill the way
3rs commodities
lo to l)uy such
not. Then the

tokugawa's triumph. 221

Kin^. aske.] wheth.-r .,ur couutrv had wars I
HMHWerecl him, yea, with the Siiania.'ds and Poi-tu-mls
^'7'^; '^^ .1'^''^''" ^^i^l' ••^" -tlHT nations. Fu.the,^ hj
aske.! me ,n what F believed. T said in (iod that niade
'77;'! '^■'•'''•••'•tl'. H'"Hsked me divers other .,ue,stions
ol things ol rehVion and many other thin-.s
as what way we came to his countrv. Ilavin.r,;
chart ol the whole world with me, I .showed him
tlH-ou^d. the straits of Mao-elhaens, at which he
won.iered and tliou^d.t me to lie. Thus from one
tlun;. to another 1 abo.le with him until midui-ht
• • • So he commanded n.e to be carried to prison
where I .vmained ninety-three (hiys. Now, in
Ins h>n. tune of imprisonment, the Jesuits and
lortuoals u-av.. many evidences to the I^:m„eror
H^amst us, alle<.in^ that we were thieves and robbers
of all nations, and if wo were suffered to live, it should
be a^^ainst the profit of His Majesty and the land, for
tJien no nation could come there without robbin.r- but
If JUS ice were executed on us, it would terrify the
n..st of our nation from coming, there any more. And
to this intent they sued to His Majesty daily to cut us
off, makm^r all the tnends they could at court to this
purpose.

"At leii^rtl, the Emperor gave the Jesuits and
Porugals their answer: That as yet we had done no
hurt or damage to him nor to any of his land, and
tha therefore it was against reason and justice to put
us to death; and if other countries and theirs had
wars one with the other, that was no cause Mdiy he
should put us to death. The Emperor answering

222

JAPAN ; THE LAND OF THE MORNING.

them in this manner, they were quite out of heart,
that their cruel pretence failed ; for the which God be
praised for ever and ever!"

Adams and his companions were now liberated from
prison; and although all the others were allowed to
return to their native land, this clever English sailor
proved himself so useful to the Japanese that they
would not allow him to depart. We cull a few more
interesting extracts from the account he gives of
himself. :

"So in process of four or five years, the Emperor
called me, as he had done divers times before, and
would have me to make him a small ship. I answered
that I was no carpenter, and had little knowledge
thereof. ' Well,' said he, ' do it so well as you can ; if
it be not good it is no matter.' Wherefore, at his
command, I built him a ship of the burden of eighty
tons or thereabouts : which ship being made in all
proportion as our manner is, he coming on board
to see it, liked it well ; by which means I came
into favor with him, so that I came often into his
presence, and from time to time he gave me many
presents.

"Now being in such grace and favor with the
Emperor, by reason I taught him some points of
geoDietr]! and the mathematics, with other things. I
pleased him so that what I said could not be contra-
dicted, at which my former enemies, the Jesuit,-' and
Portugals, did greatly wondei', and entreated me to
befriend them to the Emperor in their business ; and
so by my means both Spaniards and Portugals

USG.

out of heart,
tvliicli God be

[berated from
re allowed to
^]ni(lisli sailor
sse that they
11 a few more
he gives of

the Emperor
^ before, and
I answered
le knowledge
s you can ; if
-efore, at his
[en of eighty
made in all
ng on board
eans I came
t'ten into his
ve me many

or with the
ae points of
er things. I
ot be contra-
! Jesuit-' and
•eated me to
usiness ; and
d Portugals

tokugawa's triumph.

223

received frieiidslnp tVoiu the Kiupcroi-, I recompensing
their ('\-il unto uw with cood

"Now, for my service which 1 have done and
daily (lo, being employed in the Empci'()i''s service, he
hath given me a living like unto a loi-dship in England,
with eighty ov ninety husbandmen, who are Ts my
servants and sla\es. 'Phe precedent was never done
before. Thus God hath proxidcj for i„e after my
great misery: to His name be the praise for ever.
Awcn. Now, whether I shall come out of this land
I know not. Until the p.vsent year theiv hath been
no means, but now, through the trade of the Hol-
landers, there may l)e means. In the year of om- Lord
1009, two Holland ships came to Japan. Their
intention was to take the Portugal carrack (great
ship) which comes yearly fi-om .Alacao, and being
some five en- six days too late for that prize, they
came to Firando and wi-nt to the court of tlie
Emperor, where they were in great friendship
received, conditioning with the Eujpei'or to send
yearly a ship or two: and so they departed with the
Emperor's free pass. Now, this year, IGll, thei-e is a
small Holland .ship ai-i-ived with cloth, lead, elephants'
teeth, damask, black taffeta, raw silk, pepper and
other commodities. This shi}) was received with
great kindness and well entei'tained."

Will Adams never was allowed to return to his
native lan<l. He e\'entually wedded a Jai)ane.se, and
ended his days in i)eace and plenty. His tomb, which
occupies the summit of one of the lovely hills over.

I ^'

h -i.:

224 japan; the land of the moening.

looking Yeddo Bay, just at tlie spot where Commodore
Perry's fleet anchored in 1854, and a street in Tokyo
called Avjln Cho, or Pilot .Street, are tlie only remain-
ing mementos of this remarkable man.

The Dutch,' having thus secured a firm foothold in
the country, now bent all their energies to neutralize
and destroy the influence of the Portuguese, and, if
possible, ruin their trade. A favorable opportunity
soon presented itself. A Portuguese ship on its way
homeward from the East was captured hy the Dutch
near the Cape of Good Hope, and on board treasonable
letters, written by a Japanese named Captain Moro to
the King of Portugal, were found. This man Moro
had been an agent of the Portuguese in Japan, a close
friend of the Jesuits, and a great zealot for the
Romish Church. The Dutch, rejoicing in this golden
opportunity of crusliing the Portuguese, lost no time
in bringing this to the notice of tlie authorities. Moro
was .seized by the Government, and, although he
stoutly protested his innocence, other corroborative
evidence was obtained, and the traitor was burned
alive at the stake.

Another authority mentions a conspiracy on the
part of Ckubo, the governor of Sado, to which place
thousands of Christian exiles were sent to work in
the mines. A paper containing tlie details of the
plot, and signed by all the leading conspirators, was
discovered by the authorities. The suspicions of
Tokugawa were now so abundantly verified that he
resolul.'ly set about the work of ridding himself of
everything that would give the hated foreigner any

RNING.

9re Commodore
street in Tokyo
le only remain-

rm foothold in
'H to neutralize
uguese, and, if
le opportunity
liip on its way

by the Dutch
ird treasonable
aptain Moro to
his man Moro

Japan, a close
zealot for the
in this ^^olden
e, lost no time
lorities. Moro
, although he

corroborative
r was burned

piracy on the
o which place
it to work in
letails of the
ispii-ators, was
suspicions of
.'rifled that he
ng himself of
foreigner any

TOKUGAWA'S TRIUMPH. 225

liold upon Ja])an. In 1G14 ,.,]\nt. „ • •

event,...,, J,«„it„, ,„„, ,„„„,,.^„|^ „, _ - -i

eatec,..^^^^^^^^

alkt.Uo":,.f '" ""■ """" •"" "'•''■-"^'>' '-1 been
aIlo«e.l to letan, p,««,„sio„ „f the castl. „f Osaka-

a renclezvoiLs for then, „n<l tlieir ix.onle K.Z
-T.eio,,„t,,att,.i..„„al«„a,,iZ-„f^^X^^^^^

tot,;;":::; *■""'■:•'■■;.'« '-- "■"-« ''«<•"-. ^^' «:

to th,, castle, an,l after a te.rible battle .snceeclecl t„
politieal,; • ,^4,:,',. ""'"^ '■"•"'"'' "-■ "™t'-Wow

of 'tl;:":^!^:;:':' " t';"*-' *'" ","° -^ ^"^•"™' «- «-»

rates of be P • "™°"'' "' *''"" <='<««! the

prSl bv i'"'" ■: ""'"P'^'-^'y »«-»»' ■■»y foreign
found i^ t , ' ;' "'"'"' "■""'= f™- ™« '" te

except the Dutch and Chinc^se. ^'^'^

Then began a series of i.i^c,+ + -i i

%™n.t tbe' native Cb^-i^r S; b. Sf "T''
™,te. „,,an ,„ ,,,, ,, „, interesT:? tbe^Ea T^^
T.aa.ne^Co,„pany, says tbat the Japanese Christians

i^'

22G

.lAI'AN; THE LAND OF THE MORXIXG.

sufTcrcd MS many .soi'ts of death and of torments as
did those of tht^ primitive persecutions. "They were
stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were
slain with (Jie swoj'd ; they wandered about in sheep-
skins and ;:;oatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tor-
mented." Such was tlieir con.stancy that their
ad\ei'saries were sooner weary of intlictiuf^ punish-
ments (liaii tliev of endurincj the effects of their
rage. W'vy few, if any at all, renounced their pro-
fession. Tlie most hideous forms in which death
apix'ured could not affright them, nor all the terrors of
solemn e.secution Overpower the strength of mind with
which they seemed to go through their sufferings.
They made their very children martyrs with them,
and eai'i'ied them in tlieir arms to the .stake, choo.sing
rather to resign them to the flames than leave them
to the !)uddliist priests to be educated in a false

religion.

'j: ill

Another writer says: " Thou.sands fled to China,
Formosa ant! the Philippines, while thou.sands more
died U|)on the cross, were beheaded, drowned or
burned ali\*e. Every kind of torture was applied
which l)arl)ai'ism and hatred could invent. Our
hearts burn within us and we are filled with admira-
tion when we read the various accounts of the joyful-
ne.ss and constancy with which the unhappy victims
of theii- faith met death."

Ai'te!' these horrors had continued for twenty years,
not with e(|ual severity, but like the ebb and flow of
the ti<le, (h(^ bloody sunset came which ushered in
the long dark night of over two hundred years. Up

3? I
t

RNIXG.

of torments as
i. " They were
tempted, were
ribout in sheep-
•, afflicted, tor-
cy that tlieir
[iietinf( punisli-
■ffeets of their
iced their pro-

I which death

II the terrors of
;h of mind with
heir sufferings,
yrs with them,
stake, choosing
lian leave them
ited in a false

fled to China,
liousaiids more
u, drowned or
'e was applied
invent. Our
il with admira-
,8 of the joyful-
nhappy victims

ir twenty years,
abb and flow of
ich ushered in
red years. Up

TOKUGAWA S TRIUMPH.

227

to this time the Christians hud borz.e their biff

antagonism that tliev r.lann«) ., ,. , • ' "'

mean, of putting a^ ' " „ i ,! r™,' ''''''™*^ "^ -^
under which hfotva.s n t ^th vi r^^ °""-':"^'°"
however, was eonfine.l to H„ I 1 ,^, J'"-" "P"""'?.
part of Kiusim, I , c, ""'' "' A>»"l<«sa and

fearful „ u t : T,,"' ^^"'"'"''"- '''"-S'' "-
Christian „ , t b L,„: t7 ?'"'""' ''''"'''''"■ '
One or t™ fort, i "!™"S''°»t "'« "'''ole land.

incipient nZ'T'X.-rZ"7 ^T '''
pnests, in the ve-ir Km i • foreign

newblosJ^td tf, r,;,X,J' ,''™' '-« bear
Phant the vietorion.s sU,!'; ,' ' ra;: '"TV-
prophecy lingered ia the n,i„,Is of tl, ' . "

waned, a dowi„,f v ""'"""=' °^ '637

e.onds'oftr:,t:;rr;r^t.t;t"'?'-

Pe^^'-^^ts that tJie appointed time of deliver-

228

japan; the land of the morning.

11':'

ance had surely come. Even tlie expected deliverer
was not wantino;. A youn^' man, .sixteen years old,
called Masuda Shiro, .seemed to answer to the descrip-
tion of a " worker of miracles." He was the son of
warrior parents, and appears to have astonislied all
his companions by his ripe wisdom and also l)y the
conjuring skill he displayed. It is said that he
.succeeded in attracting birds to his ma<;ic wanj, that
he trod tlie waves of the sea, and that lu^ conjured up
a deer and a heron from a nuissrl no Jon<jjer than a
man's liand. However this may be, it is certain
that this man displayed tlie re(piisite ability, and was
appointed leader of the rebels.

The fanatics of whom we have already spoken
went from place to place throuj^'hout the Island of
Ainaku.sa, callin*;' the peasants ton-ether and telling
them how Shiro had come to briiio- the knowledtre of
the Christian faith, and win not oidy Japan, but also
India, Cliina and the whoh- world to the faith of
Jesus. They also made known that his pi ,i was to
move northward, and, overcoming the ditierent feudal
lords in the way, march with an increasing force
again.st the castle of Osaka,»and so on to Tokyo, until
the whole Empire should be won for Christ. Then
those who joined him at the begiiniing, when all was
involved in doubt and uncertainty, would receive the
offices of ministers and governors under him.

Like wild-iire the rising spread all over tlie island,
and a couple of emissaries were then sent over to
Shimabara, in Kiushiu, to rou.se tlie people there also.
Here they secured the co-operation of two peasants of

tl
ir

UXING.

)ecte(l deliverer
:teeii years old,

to the deserip-
was the sou of

astonished all
id also Ity the

said that he
lo-ic wanj, that
he eoujured up

lou<;er thau a
, it is certaiu
biiity, and w;is

Iready spokeu
the Island of
ler aud telliug
( knowledge of
Japan, but also
I) the faith of
lis pi; a was to
litterent feudal
icreasiui; force
bo Tokyo, until
Christ. Then
:;, when all was
•uld receive the
!r him.

3ver the island,
1 sent over to
Dple there also.
\vo peasants of

TOKUGAWA'S TRIUMPH. £29

good standino-, an.l so inspire.! them th-.f ih i

'^"t a pict.ire of the S-.vionr u ' '' ''^""''^

p-ecutions,had,:' ;;;;:■:•'' '^-'-^'^^ ^i-

''Old pul,]ic services %n 1 ''^''■"--^"'' Ventured to

o^tii^eudau: \,.^rx;r'"''^^^^^^

ean.e down upon then/i^ht^r:; .r''^ ^''t"
and arrested the fu- • . ^^'''''' ^^'^I'ship,

pHson. n . : 7'^:^^^^'^--« -^'l --t then, ul

-M..y ol the castle, hut with a verv d ttLi " su^
the ttle band and to actually tear them in pieces

^•'•^^^-vhiei::;^;;^;tr-: '^^^^^^

fo.-e despatched trustcr^.^: ^ t • T '^^^^■
^---J-^^ villages, and roused thc;;n to mat ' '""

cause against the oppressor AW '""''1'""

gathered, which tool H, I.' f ^'''' '^'^'-'^ *'"'«

<>^«nin.abar. and.I^^:;;rr'^r'^^

% this time the Clu • ^ ^ I T'"^ ''" ^^"''^•
the fiehl with M , n ^ ^^ An.akusa were also in
tiiere were two -f^ ^f "" '''' ^'^^^ ^-ad. Thus

tlK>usand n.en, l>esieged the cast"' T '"'

t'- others had si:^^nai..r:^t: :'T:^-'r\r

Insurgent force ".o. „ -- ■ ^omioka the

was so strong that

every effort of the

, 1

I
f

■J

mm i

iw"

tokugawa's Tuiuiri'H. 231

lx.si.w.,1 t., ,I,ive tl,c.,„ away „,,.. ,„t„Hy futile. On

r b '■';;'"--;' t.. .m,.t „ j„„..t,i„„ „,t|, t|,e

rebels tlicR.. 1|,„ „„,t,„| „,,„i^. ,„„ ,

; tr„n. „„.,„,,. to f„,« th. «ute. of the tm I, M
- »o ev^,t,„U„. the.v took p„s«..s.-„„ „,• t,:, ,'

he.n.selva, to tl.e „ttenno»t. As sio,,, hovveve" a,

tl e . fate was seal.,1. It „„„. |,„,„,„„ ^„|

ot t„„e tor the Goven.n.ent to collect suffic „ fo ee

of H.!,!''!' ■""■"'*'''': "'■■'' ™* '"« "'"'"y*!- The castle
o Hu,t „as soon „,vcste,l with govennnent troop,

i o^I'T '"TT' *'""""""' " «"™ "- -

At I J I .r '"""■"■' "*■ "'^' "«"""■'« '"-"'y-

« e an 1 T ^'^^ extcnniuate the whole hatcl
seet. and t le order was given to kill, and to spare not
n single follower of the Cross.

Terrible w-ere the instruments of torture employed
".t only one need be mentioned here. The re.£
.as no doubt heard or read of the Island of P, , ,
>..rg.„ Nagasaki harbor, tVo.n which it issak'tl

Mote than once have we gawd on this famous island
and wondered how in the world it ,yas po.ssible to k
a n,an by thro,ving bin. from the top of that ban

2.S2

japan; the lanm) ov the mohxino.

li .'u

i '^■''

hi . f

P''i !

fig

IcH.s-lookin^' hill.

The victim, it st'cuu'd to uh, would
simply full on tlu; sand beneath and escape with a
hruise or two. or at the mo.st with a broken lind).
But another spot we vii-sited hioh up on the lofty hills
of that very Shimabara peninsula. A fearful place is
this. Above are hi<i;h beetlin<. clifis, dark and forl)id-
din<r, while at their base is a (^.reat caldron of hissin<^,
seethin<2:, roarinj;- sulphur water, comiu};' boiling hot
from the fires of old Vulcan beneath. It now turns
out that the little island in the harbor of Na^-asaki,
as a place of execution, is a n.yth ; the real Pappen-
burfT is this awful " hell," as the Japanese call it, at
Unzen, among the Shimabara hills. ])i'a<i;i,^ed to the
ed<re of those elite's, the Christians were hurled into
the scalding waters beneath.

The Japanese made this work of extermination as
thorough as they possibly could ; and, indeed, it
seemed at last as if there could not possibly be another
Christian Irit in the country. Over the graves of
the martyrs they set up, it is said, the following
inscriptior : " So long as the sun shall warm the earth,
let no Christian be so bold as to come to Japan ; and
let ail know that the King of Spain him.self, or the
Christian's God, or the great God of all, if he violates
this connnand, shall pay for it with his head." All
over the Empire, in city, town or village, by the lonely
roadside or in the busy streets of the capital, on the
public notice-boards upon which all official proclama-
tions are placed, for centuries hung such a terrible
proclamation against the hated sect of Christians as
to strike terror into the hearts of all who might read.

S'INfJ.

to UH, would

Lv^eape with a

broken limb.

the lofty hills

jarl'iil place is

•k and forbid-

•oii of hissint;,

i^ boiling hot

It now turns

of Na^-asaki,

r"al Pappen-

lese call it, at

rairu't'd to the

e hurled into

:erinination as
id, indeed, it
l)lybe another
tilt graves of
the following
arm the earth,
to Japan ; and
liniself, or the
, if he violates
is head." All
!, by the lonely
capital, on the
cial proclama-
;uch a terrible
Christians as
ho miyht read.

m''

tokfoawa's TUIUMI'H.

233

For over two (vntuiics the name of Jesus which is
to-day con.puTing the world, was a synonvu, f,.r
sorceiy and sedition.

In the pride and glory of tlu-ir n.ilitary strength,
those <.ld Jokugawa ty.-ants no doubt .-xulted over
the way ,n which the last vestige of that hated creed
hau been swept away; but it is a matter of no little
thankfulness that the last of then, still lives to see
liow lutde was their n.ost si,lendi.l effort. They
nught drive C^.ristianity to the ,lens and the eaves of
the earth, they nnght press its vota.'ies so closely that
even the last outwar<l .synd.ol would have to be ,lis-
carded,and yet what arm can reach .lown into the
'n".an spu-it and sna,.-], away the shrine fro.n that
<;<>'l-!''nlt ten.ple^ Error, p<,litical intrigue, and all
else winch are human accreti.ms, were Imrned away
hut the precious metal of a sinful soul clin-jn.. to^a
sacnhc.al and onmipotent Christ remained when the
tnnmce, "heated seven times hotter than was w(mt "
u-jis allowe.l again to grow cold. Even as late as
18l9, s,.k persons were crucified at Osaka on suspicion
of bemg Christians. When, after the opening of the
country to Counnodore Perry, the Roman Catholic
nnssionanes ventured in again, they found, in the
neighborhood of Nagasaki alone, no less than ten
thousand who were Christians. For oxer two hundred
years, from father to son, the faith of the Xa.arene
had been handed down until the blood of the martyrs
has become the seed of a great Church

The part which the Dutch played in this final over-
throw of the Christian Church was not at all credit-

i I!

i ir

234

japan; the LAXU of the M()RNIN'(J.

iifi

able. The fact is a<liiiitt«'.l l.y tlicif nwii couiitryineii
that tliey actively assisted the .lapanrsc in the sup-
pression of the Shiiiiahara rehi'llioii. Some say that
the J)utch only sui)|)iieil them with eunpowder and
{^nuis, tau<;-ht them a Httle artillery practice, and sent
anuuunition, aims and ti'oops in their sliins to the
scene of action. Another writer tells us that the
Dutcli acted under compulsion, which no doubt is
true. They had to choose between the two alter-
natives, of either assistine- the Government or of
k)sine; the whole of their protitable trade with Japan.
The statements of the old historian Kempfer are,
however, the most reliable. He says; "The Dutch,
upon this, as friends and allies of the Eniperor, were
requested to assist the Japanese in the sien;e. . . .
M. Kockebecker, who was then director of the Dutch
trade and nation, havin<.,^ received the Emperor's orders
to this purpose, repaired thither witlK)ut delay on
board a Dutch ship lyino- at anchor in the harbor of
Firando (all the other ships, perhaps upon some inti-
mation given that some such recpiest was likely to be
made to them from the court, set sail but the day
before), and within a fortnight's time he battered the
old town with four hundred and twenty-six cannon-
balls, both from on boar<l his ship and from a battery
which was raised on shore, and planted with some
of his own guns. This compliance of the Dutch, and
their conduct during the siege, was entirely to the
satisfaction of the Japanese; and although the be-
sieged seemed in no manner of forwardness to sur-
render, yet, as by this cannonatliug they had been

11 couiitryineii
(■ in till' sup-
Noiiif say tluit
iMpowdcr luid
'tic'o, and sent

sliit)s to the
s us that the

no doubt is
lie two altt-T-
iiiiuciit or ot'
Ic with Japan.

Ki'iiipFer are,

"The Dutch,
h^inperor, were
.sie^e. . . .
■ oi" the Dutch
iiperor's orders
lout delay on

the harbor of
poll some iuti-
as likely to be
1 but the day
e battered the
ty-six cannon-
t'roiu a battery
,ed with some
,he Dutch, and
•ntirely to the
louu'h the be-
rdness to sur-
thev had been

TOKUOAWA's TRII'MI'ir.

235

^'ery much reduced

p^reatb

in niimbt

"•<>l«'ii, M. Kockebecker ha, I I

rs and their stivn«>tji

''five at last

SIX

Ut'part, alter t/.ey Ma.l ol,liu,.„ „„„ to lan.
"•oi-eot his ^nnis For th.. ns,. of the Kmpen.r."

in tins manner the J)utch doubtless won the privi-
U'^^e of rema.ninn^ in th<. country; but aft.r all, except
»••<'>" a hnancial standpoint, their position was an alto-
k'ether unenviable one. Soon after these .v.-nts just
recor<ied they were ordered to Xa^asaki and conHned
;>"tJ,e little Island of Deshima. which is not more
than s,x hundred feet in length and two hundred
and forty leet wide. This island is connected with
the town of Na.,,,saki by a brido., and the Japanese
placed a strono- ^.„ard an.l would not allow the J)utch
to }ro out exc^pt on rare occasions, and then only bv
special permission. Xo boat was allowed to leave or
approach from the water-cjate, except those occupie.l
by government officials. No wo, , • .ither Japanese
or foreio-n, were allowed to li^ • ..,. the islan.l : and
tlie Japanese servants in the employ of the Dutch
nm,st not be found in the factory between sunset and
sunrise. Ihese, too, were constantly chan^rod by the
authonties, so that thev mi.d.t not get accustomed
to Dutch manners o, its, or become attached to

their masters.

Every Japanese who liad anything- to do with the
Dutch was bound by a solemn oath to forever hate
the Christian reli<,don. This oath had to be taken
once twice, or even three times a year; and at one
of these ceremonies, at least, they were re.piired to
trample under foot crosses with tlie image of Jesus

, n

4 ! ;!:

230

JAPAN; THE LAND OF THE MORNING.

ikii iil I

upon tliem. It i.s pretty certain ulso that the same
tliin^^ was deniaiuled of the J3utch and was performed
by them.

Once a year an official visit had to l)e made hy the
director of the Dutcli factory to the capital, to bring
presents and to pay his respects to the Emperor. For
this lie was pi-ovided with an enormous i-etinue, for
which he had to pay exorbitantly, and which kept
him a veritable prisonei- all the way there and ])ack.
The ceremony of his reception, in which he paid his
respects to the Emperor, consisted in his crawling in
on his hands and knees to the footstocjl of his august
JVIajesty, and then crawling out again backward like
a crawfish, although not as fast, nor, for that matter,
([uite as gracefully.

It would be very interesting, had we the space at
our disposal, to describe all the attempts made from
that time until the middle of the present century
by different nationalities to induce Japan to enter
into trade relations; but none of these in any way
influenced the course of history in Japan, and have,
therefore, no place in these pages. ])uring the period
of over two hundred years which followed the expul-
sion of the foreigner and the overthrow of Christi-
anity, it is sufficient to say that, so fai- as the outside
world was concerned, the thick curtain of exclusion
was closely drawn, the mists of obscurity shrouded
those pleasant isles, and the silence of a deatli-like
sleep seemed to pervade their dusky inhabitants.
The triumph of the Tokugawa was complete.

:ning.

bluit the same
vas perl'oriiied

e made by tlie
,{)ital, to bi'ing
ii^mperoi'. For
IS retinue, for
(1 whicli kept
ere and back,
li lie paid Ids
lis crawling in
of his august
)ackward like
• that matter,

' the space at
ts made from
esent centuiy
ipan to enter
i in any way
ati, and have,
ing the period
,'ed the expul-
)w of Christi-
as the outside
I of exclusion
i-ity shi-ouded
"' a deatji-like
' inhabitants.
>mplete.

CHAPTER IX.

DAYBREAK.

«>.ij .ifjlit ,l,nv„ to tl,<. ,,,.1,11,, „f ,„
".y. n,.,y W..1, b„ e„,.,,,„.,.,l t„ „ ,, 1,,,^ ,i , "

*::;■"« "7>tv ti„« a.„t,„.a,.s th„t ^Za „y«t ,r ot

Tl,lllt,-„y ,k..s,,„ti«„, kept tin. K,.„-,r.,trs „f th •

eio.s.,.s„ti,ht,,t,,,.t,,:.t.„,,ti;;.i;t,,1,,-;^^^^^^^^^

m.u;n,.r,s cast „,, l,,- tl... s.,. „„ a„„tl,.,. .si,. , , tw

u';:;'t;:.a:'t"""'"- ,'"' *''^'^^' «■"'- «" '"■- -

s t , i " ":■""' ■""'•' '"■ ''""■'' "•itl"...t: but it

tl t r •"";,"""' ''•"'"""'■ •-**■ '■"'« --ii

ta',1, I l<,.,Is the tiros „f i,„t,. still ,,,^,.,,1 „j;,i,„t t *
e. pi.H.sly t„„ year to year. Wl,at c„„l,| th..v do '

Mase.-.s of ,,oht,cal i„t,.ij;„e «,,-„ tl.o.se „sr„-pe.rof

;; ;"" w ,,el, ,.,i,i,t be to™,ed „,ai„,st tl,e„^ Zy
«"..W a.,a„f;„ a„d rearra„j;e the pieces o„ the

must he ad,nitted th \ u i„i " "'r °' """'■"■■ ''
n, i,,at (iui,„g those centuries of jjeaee

i. !.|i

mmu

238

japan; the land of the morning.

great advancement was made in all that related to
the dominant military system, yet it was a reign of
death so far as the common people were concerned.
In such an atmosphere, nothing looking toward either
social or moral reform could ever breathe the breath
of life. The system was a cast-iron one, yielding to
no pressure but that strong enough to smash it in

pieces.

There is no night, however long and dark, that does
not flee away before the conquering light of the new
day. So has it been with the Sunrise Land. True to
its name, it has emerged out of the night of seclusion
and orientalism, out of the winter of discontent and
oppression, into the new clay of western civilization,
into the bright spring-time of freedom and of progress.

We are brought now to the relation of the course
of events within the memory of men whose heads are
just beginning to silver. Much of this great revolution
is, however, so well known that nothing remains for
the writer of to-day but to pull aside the veil and
disclose a little more of the internal workings of this
movement, both in relation to its inception and its
results. This revolution which opened the great portals
of the nation again to the "barbarian" from beyond the
seas, which restored the Emperor to power, and led to
the adoption of many of the accessories of western
civilization, was not the work of a single hour. It
was, indeed, "the energy sublime of a century" which
"burst full-blossomed on the thorny stem of time."
For long enough below the calm surface of national
life great forces were at work, which were preparing

DAYBREAK.

that related to

2.39

Land. True to

trreat revolution
in^' remains for
de the veil and

handed ru e of fli,. Tr.i-, .,, °'^"

oppo,.t„„ity t "::„ ;'^:;:r : ;;;f -^e*-'^™ '""f

libi-arios were collocfcl ",, •. ' ^""*'i»'-'"tly

„f 1,- . "/ "^ ivs.'ii,-ci, i„to tlio records

pnnce sliould identic nin.seH" with fh '

for the sin^ple reason xt 1^1 "'^ven.ent.

Ill , ^i'is(jn tiiat lokuirawa )iat<'(] .i>wi

ad do,,e all I.„ could to di»co,.,,,„, ..^ ,„„ , „dv of
tlic aiiccHt records Tl.„ „ ^ . , . ''may ot

Diiri,,,, fl,c . , • ^'''."-"™ '»'■ tl"» «-as obvious.
J^iimS tlie ce„tur,es of political tur,„oil out of

e': "xrof'if ","t^"'«"^' ■^■^■■^'«- "'• '■«^"'"- 1'-

°TT , ■ *'"''"■ "■"" «■"»«. ami all tl.e l.istori-

Zt tl!' \ ■ °"'^' "■'"'<■'■ Cou.se,,„e„tly „,e„

leu? f ■'' "''"'' ''"'• ™ ""1-™- o ".ie over

Jokjo. .So,„etl„„j: n,i«l,t, indecHl, have been know
OHcc,„„,s the saced beiu« ,,.«idi„g ;„ K™to I u

wf:::^. ;;::'"".■ ^"t"«j-k.K'wau,,i.i„«abou:

tiie ov eisliadowmg povver of the Shogun ; there-

■Mf-H,

Bill h I

IH' fin

Mm]'

TEMPLE AVENUE AT NIKKO.

DAYBREAK.

241

1 • , ^ '*^ iok^l<.•u^vit knew tli-.t U'

z:^ ::;;■'';'■;■ ■?''■"' "''■--■-* ..1,,

At last, Jiowever, the poor little oxiinn^i T .t
Waanas,,unHutheeLtleoftLtr^
of Mito J en., closely related to the rei^nin-. dv^nX
he could dare to do what one of lower r-m n

find exceedinLdy dan<rerous Tul n "^'^

f^.^+i to J "-"i")-,<^iou.s. i Ins nobleman <>'athe7wl

together „m„y „„t,.,l .sel„,l,„.„ tV„,„ different m-tnf
Japan, ,,„,! |„„,,„ j,,, eon,p„.siti„n of tl e 1 " v
l"»tory of Japan, called the Dai m/Z Z
aecon,pHs,,e,l ju.st at the olo»e fThf ' „,i, ^ ^

Z^Z':T ,"'" 1""^ '™''«-y of tl- - S c™t
«o, . was to show that tlie Jlikmlo was the true souree
ot all authority, and that the ,Sho,.ua w, 27 n
only a n.ih'tary u..urper. Conse.,uen"try a „ t
..gyea.. o peaoe learning- kLn,e more i^.,^
and the tlnnk.ng u.ind.s of the nation beean.e u ore

ii. ., ^^yoto. Mc'ie, tJien, was the vanu-uard of

the warmth and sunshine of the new snrin.. fCT ■ ,
was to TttnU 11- , , '^P'^^ff-t. me, which

°ie' ' "'"' '''»I^'-'' ""^ i':" -"J cold of that long

i I

f! lit

MM-li

I'lii'fi

1' '^ li'.H [

' '

JAPAN; THE LAND OF THE MORNING.

and desolate winter. Tlii.s was followed, in later years,
by another history called the Nikon Gitai SJd, the
unmistakable purpose of which was to show that the
whole system of rule reared by the 8ho<i^un was built
on tlie sands of bold intrigue and the force of arms,
and that from time immemorial the Mikado, until
driven into seclusion by these soldier tyrants, was
recognized as the only ruler of his people.

Another quiet force that was working toward this
revolution was the revival of ^hintoism and the study
of the writings of Confucius. Buddhism was the
religion of the court at Tokyo, and, under its fostering
care, had flourished 'ike a green bay-tree. With its
lordly temples and gorgeous ceremonials it had totally
overshad Aved and thrown completely into the back-
ground the simple shrine an I the humble native
religion of the Japanese. But with the revival of
the study of the ancient historical records of the
nation, came this other religious movement, and
earnest men, such as Mabuchi, Motori and Hirata,
began to study and teach the ancient poems and
scriptures, and to inculcate a taste for native literature
and a love for old Japan, wheii in days of yore no
great system of intrigue stood between the Emperor
and his people. All this, of course, had a strong
tendency to create in the hearts of the people a
longing for the speedy coming of the day when
the Shinto should again be the State religion, with the
Mikado at its head ; and, indeed, nothing could be
more fatal to the cause of the Shoofun.

Confucianism also played its part in this important

1
i

' ks ,

DAYBREAK.

243

tir , '■ '*' ?^''''} *"^^'""SH it laid sreat stress on
the lelationslnp existing between the ruler un.l his
subject, and as the peoples eyes began to be opened
as to ^^hoti.en■ ruler really was, these injun tions
o the old Sage o China forced hon.e upon Ihem the
duty of paying homage wliere lioinage was reallv
<lue. Long, therefore, before any sign appeared with-
out, a s rong national party was being formed within
to reinstate the Mikado, the watch-ciy of which w^
Dcn^^ medmn!" ...., " King and the Subject."
Anotlier potent influence which preparid the way
foi the coining of the new day was that of the Dutch
eivih^ation, which found its way into Japan long
>efore Commodore Perry's cannon woke the echoef
en. the shores of Yeddo Bay. In fact, strange to sa"
the country had never been really closed to the ouf-'
aKle world. Once let light and truth in, and they ^iil
find a lodgment and construct for themselves a loop-
hole and a telegraphic communication with thel

\\ hen Tokugawa drove out all the foreign pri sts
obliterated (as he thought) Christianity, and e'nactd
such stringent laws against foreign intercourse, there
safe under his protecting wing, were those few Dutch-'
men who had aided him in the extermination of the

position. The old tyrant, thoroughly afraid of them
made their yoke very galling by restrictions he im-'
posed upon them as long as they elected to stay
within the bounds of his Empire Still tho.. Z
money in it, and they put up with all the indignities

I i'

i ' If

If -4 ■;

\i I

I ^1

244 japan; the land of the mornino.

I ill
■■ : mi

■■JIl .

^■-Tlh

Mr ;

ill

^M.ii.

.. ^,.:

;:;■'

■f

llLU

. t.

and hardshipH, and accomplished more than they
were then aware of towards the rej^^eneration of that
hermit land.

That I'ttle island Deshima, with its few Dutoh
trailers, became a little hjophole thi-ough which Japan
looked out and saw what was ^^oin<r on all over the
civilized world. From the outside the Uardy seamen
of Europe and America saw nothin<>- but a rock-bound
shore with beetling cliffs, irdiabited by a hostile
people, concerning whom they knew practically
nothing. Little did they think that they were far
better known within those great sea-walls than Japan
was without. Thus, through the Dutch, Japan was
well informed of the history of the civilized nations.
Geography was carefully studied through the maps
that came in through the little Deshima gateway, and
there grew up in the hearts of many of the foremost
spirits of the nation a desire for a more intimate
knowledge of and relationship with the outside world.
Imperceptibly, too, the light entering through this
little window was on the increase. Shipwrecked
sailors and others cast up by the sea taught the
Japanese many of the arts of civilized life; forts
mounted with flint fire-arms were built, light iiouses
were erected, books and scientific instruments came
into demand, and the instruction of the foreign teacher
was much sought after by the most enlightened.
Soon the Samurai began to study the Dutch language,
and the Government allowed chosen men to learn
astronomy, mathematics, medicine and gunnery from
the Dutchmen.

riNQ.

} than they
ution of that

few Dutoh
which Japan
all over the
arily seamen
I rock-bound
oy a hostile

practically
ey were far
s than Japan
, Japan Avas
ized nations,
jh the maps
gateway, and
the foremost
ore intimate
jtside world,
hrough this
Shipwrecked

taught the
[ life; forts
light- houses
iments came
•eign teacher
enlightened,
ch language,
en to learn
innery from

Daybiieak.

245

Even before the nloyo ,^e ^i
somo foroi.m hnZ »vcneeentl, century

scioneo; and from tl,„* .■ V *"-' ^' -terinary

of tl,o pre. „ e t ; ri "f V'°"" '" "'" ■"'•''"^

times witi, ,-,.eat,.r ,..„ -,7 ^', "' "'"' "' "tl'"''

ew,«i„, ,:';;;:: 'J tf„:;t '■'■■'" '■'''■'™™'"

the great event^ wl ■ i ' l"-q^aration for

eour;,Hm;r;bt.::e:ru,::''''r- "^^

espoused the cause of u^? "'""^^^^" ^^'^^^

tl>o «reat mas., of tl.e people of f 1 '""■? "'"^
elmigwitl, tenacio,rs,C tool T '"" 7''° '*''"
hated tl.e fore.Vn.er am el '"'"' "'' '''"'^'-'y

by i.i.n Tln-s fC u^ ^ """"-ation introduced

advent of tl.e now ordt': ^f Z i^ -' '"«
(luote the words of W E Cpm , '^""" ''"

littlo book, "Japan in Hisforv M- '," '"" '"?'"""'^
"EvidenH,. tl, '^''''°'^.*oll>-loroand Art":

alten S „f ;;;;;r; 7° P"'-«- "t eour, and

P.-evai,cd f yet d^S 'r ae Tha:?"^"^? •""'"^
authors, artists a„,J scientific me , V "'^ "^"'"'™-'''
in.pri.soned. punished o ftl, ^ d r tirT"'"'"
spread. In hundreds of cities an to ' ,"''""'
Japan there were students o" Duel Cs r'"

Dutchm n a tZZt oJ TT "'° '"'' "■^"'■'' "»

of European know 2e Inlh^"'"''' 1 ™»«--"'g
owicclge. In this way the prejudice

L '. :

': i ; ill

4' jl.^i

SI B

i '■

p>'i-

■i\

246

JAPAN ; THE LAND OF THE MORNING,

against foreigners was softened, and interpreters were
trained ready for a political change tliat would give
them mental freedom. Among these eager seekers
alter light were some who o])tained a knowledge of
Christianity. j\[ost of the present prominent leaders
ot the ('hristian churches, the elo(juent preachers,
scholars and writers in Japan, are sons, grandson.s, or
other i-elatives of these early students of J>utch."

At last, while as yet no pressure had been brought
to bear from without, the seeds of revolution, scat-
tered broadcast for a couple of centuries, began to
germinate and to send tiny shoots above the surface.
In 1840, the Prince of Mito, an ardent Shintoi.st and
advocate of the return of the Mikado to power,
resolved to resort to arms as a means of carrying his
point. He even seized the Buddhist monasteries and
melted down the great bronze bells, and moulded them
into cannon with which to batter down the gates of
the enemy. His attempts at revolution were, how-
ever, utterly futile, and this brave old man spent
twelve years in prison as a penalt\' for beinrr so far
m advance of his times.

But the great centre of the new movement was
away to the south in Kiushiu. Never, even in the
palmiest days of the Shogunate, had these great lords
of Satsuma and Choshiu been entirely loyal. They
always preserved an undying hatred for the Toku-
gawa usurper ; but they were powerless against the
force of arms and masterly intrigue of the party in
power. However, as the fulness of time drew near,
the purpose of destroying the Shogunate and of

SINQ.

rpi't'ters were
it would givo
'.Igor sot'kcrs
viKnvledge of
liiR'iit loaders
it })roaehors,
grandsons, or

Dutch."
been brought
ohition, scat-
ies, began to
i tlio surface,
■^hintoist and
o to power,

carr^ang liis
tiastorie.s and
louldod them

the gates of

wore, bow-
man spent
being so far

vement was
even in the
3 great lords
oyal. They
• the Toku-

against the
;he party in

drew near,
ate and of

DAYBUEAK.

247

' 1 "'■^'^^^ cncouram>d tlie shirlv r.f <• •

languages i„ order to k-am the , ^^ "'''^^"
sciences WJ. , modern arts and

readiness for tiio strikin<r of t]Jh V , ^ "'

throw liis oM f,-, ^ ^^"''^ ^''1"^1^ '^li^uld

^iiiuw ius oia-tiine eiR'mv fho iji, ^

capital of his nrnvi., , Kagoshima, the

schools rn ^"°'";"^' "^ o^-<Ier to study in his

He .saw cle-n-lv fj.o^ • , „ ^^^"^^ f>r ^atsuma.

leave tl.cr !> n t " h "T"''^ """ "'"^ ^''-W
..Hii country aiitl cross the sent Th;.

■ ' ''''°'' "^^ '"f'^fo" °f this law with death.'

■.»!

iliiiii

«*««»'• »,:

'^\«

i-V

'mm

'^Ah^mM

Still.

CVO

'» tJ'>"^ 'li.l nr.t ut Irno-th ,i(

249

^Pints from atton.ptin.. to ' , '^^'^'^"^"'-"^
^ettin.nlK.an|oF ,. r'^^'^'T'^*'-- ''"'in

n . I"i|),u,. tht" way oi- the m !,t i

then so close at haii.j. '^ c-han^rcs

Our narrative now |,,.,Is .... f •
'^'"l>i»v to Fo ^ ' ?r ^' ^'''" '^*' ^''" ^•""■i-

in.Vi.ehs:;rte^^^^^^^^^

t--' it in pieces. V I ; , u''''T '""' ^'"^*-

"-y c,i..o.t,-:„" ; th''': ,•;;::, '•'"•■r' ;" "' -'

Ciiina l„„l i.„t,.,,:,i : t ' •''"'•■■■'■nt imtious.

«oo.. »;:'':;■ :;:■-- ;;;:;;-;n.^

Malacca peninsul-i •>,.]" ^^^'^''" ^^^ *'»«

i"^jun.suia and away un infr> fl... r^ • o

had also spanned tl.o Afl..i i ,"• '^? Cluna Sea,

spanned ti.e Atlantic and laid

t*.

Its thin line

IsJ

III 11

250 JAPAN; THE LAND OF THE MORNING.

of rail over rolling timber-land, broad prairies and
trackless desert, until it reached again the broad ocean
on whose heaving bosom the Occident loses itself in
the Orient and the Orient in the Occident.

Here, therefore, in the middle of this nineteenth
century, the two ends of this great golden chain
encircling the globe had well-nigh met again. Only
one liidv was lacking to form the electric circle of
the universal brotherhood of nations in commerce,
at least — and that link was Japan. Never before
was her absence from the concourse of nations felt.
The business of the world had not yet reached that
stage when she nnist lend her aid to the great scheme
of human weal. But now when China and America
were clasping hands over the Pacific, and the dusky
islanders of Japan could count well-nigh half a hun-
dred ships yearly away in the offing, and when their
own seas became the last sad resting-place of more
than one gallant bark, and the waifs cast up by the
sea became more numerous, it was more and more
apparent that Japan could not long keej) those sea-
gates of hers closed against the united commerce of
the world.

To the United States belongs the honor of first
wresting an answer in the affi inative from a very
reluctant ruler. Other nations had already tried to
effect an entrance, but they took " No " for an answer
and withdrew. But now the nation who needed
Japan most took the matter in hand with so nuich
determination and energy that very soon those old
gates creaked on their rusty hinges, and Japan was

prairies and
e broad ocean
loses itself in
it.

is nineteenth
[i^olden cliain
again. Only
trie circle of
in conunerce,
N^ever before

nations felt,
reached that
great scheme
and America
id the dusky
: half a hun-
d when their
lace of more
Lst up by the
re and more
icp those sea-
commerce of

onor of first
from a very
)ady tried to
or an answer
who needed
rith so much
on those old
d Japan was

DAYBREAK.

251

open o the world. The United States needed Japan
more than any other nation, because the voyage from
San Francisco to Chinese ports was very long, and a
great amount of coal was necessary under such cir-
cumstances which Japan was well able to supply
o the full. Then, too, in stress of weather Mr
harbors were indispensable as havens of refuge ; and
in cases of shipwreck the United States as yet lacked
the assurance that her people would be well cared
tor by those inhabiting the shores of that island
empire. Moreover, Japan was known to be rich in
many of the commodities which minister to the com-
fort and luxury of the westerner, and if she could be
brought luto trade relations with Inn- great sister
acrass the water, such an intercourse would prove
, profitable to both. ^

_ The_ United States, therefore, in 1852, took the
initiative and sent out Commodore Peny, in the war-
ship i/..,t«,sv./)t, with a letter from the President
inviting the Emperor of Japan to make with him a
treaty of commerce between the two nations. The
text of this letter was as follows :

" Great axd Good Friend :

Matthew'r r" ^'"' P^''^^'" ^'^^'' ^'y Commodore
Matthew C Perry, an officer of the hio-hest rank in

the navy of the United States, an<l ?o.nmaiXr o"

^^s^ron now visiting your Imperial ^^Lyl

If f

■
■ 1

1 1

t 1,

1 i

I*;!;

Bft!V.

1 1

Hill

252

JAPAN; THE LAND OF The; MORNING.

" I have directed Commodore Pony to assure your
Imperial Majesty that I entertain the kindest feelin(;-8
towards your iSIajesty's person and Government, and
that I have no otlier object in sendin*^ him to Japan
but to propose to your Impei'ial Majesty that tlie
United States and Japan should live in fric-ndship and
have connnercial intercourse with each other.

"The constitution and laws of the United States
forbid all intei'ference with the reli<;ious or political
concerns of other nations. I have particularly charged
Commodore Perry to abstain from every act which
would possibly disturl) the trancpiillity of your Impe-
rial Majesty's dominions.

" The United States of America reach from ocean
to ocean, and our territory of Oregon and State of
California lie directly opposite to the dominions of
your Impei-ial Majesty. Our steamships can go from
California to Japan in eighteen thu's.

" Our great State of California produces about sixty *
millions of dollars in gold eveiy year, besides silver,
(juicksilver, precious stones and many other valuable
articles. Japan is also a rich and fertile country, and
possesses many very valuable articles. Your Imperial
Majesty's .subjects are skilled in many of tlio arts. I
am desirous that our two countries .should trade with
each other, for the benefit both of Japan and the
United States.

" We know that the ancient laws of your Imperial
Majesty's Government do not allow of foreign trade,
except \vith the Chinese and Dutch ; but as the state
of the world chan"('s and new goverinnents are
formed, it seems to i)e wise, from time to time, to
make new laws. There was a time when the ancient
laws of your Imperial Majesty's Government were
first made.

"About the same time America, which is sometimes
called the Now World, was first diseovered and settled

DAYBREAK.

253

by Europeans. For a lon^- time tliere were but few
people, aiKl tl.ey were poor. They have now beeon.e
quite numerous then- conunerce is very extensive
and they thmk tliat if your Lnperial Majesty were so
far to chano-e tlie ancient htws as to allow a free trade
between the two countries, it would l>e extremely
benehcial to both. ^

wn!,rir'''"/"'lf''''^^^^^y''^->^^'' ""^ '^^^t^'^^^''! that it
would be sa e altoM-ether to abroo-ate the ancient laws
which forbid foreign trade, they might be suspended
for hve or ten years, so as to try the experimelit. If
It does not prove as benehcial as was hoped the
ancient laws can be restored. The Unite.l States
often limit their treaties with foreign states to a few
years, and then renew them or no. as they i.lease

nno/hPvT- r^''^ Commodore Perry to mention
another thing to your Imperial JVIajesty. ^lunv of
our ships pass every year from California to China;
and great numbers of our people pursue the whale
hshery ,, the sliores of Japan' ft sometimes hai>
pens m stormy weather, that one of our ships is
wrecked on your Imperial Majesty's shores. In all
such cases we ask, and expect, that our unfortunate
people should be treated with kindness, and that their
pioperty should be protected, till we can send a vessel

fn thk "" '''^'''^'- ^^'' '"'" ''""^ "^^^'^^ "^ ^^^^'^««t

"Commodore Perry is also directed by me to repre-
sent to your Lnperial Majesty that we understand
there is great abundance of coal and provisions in the
^inpire of Jjipan. Our steamships, in crossing tlie
great omm burn a great d.-al of coal, and it Ts noi.

^^Tf^ 'r '""f '' f!^ '^" '^''^y ^■•■-" America.
VV e wish that our steamships and other vessels should

be allowed to stop in Japan and sup,)ly themselves

with coal, provisions and water. They will pay for

tncm in rnouey or anything else your Imperial

i; it

I' ■ i'

*: el

Ihlf I

illtlll"

liii

2o4 JAPAN; THE LAND OF THE MOKNING.

IMajivsty'.s subjects may prefer ; and wo request your
Impei'ial Majesty to appoint a convenient port, in
the .souther 1 part of tlie Empire, wliere our vessels
may slop for this purpose. We are very desirous of
tlii.M.

" These are tlie only objects for which I have sent
Commodore Perry witli a powerful squach'on, to pay
a visit (,() your Imperial Majesty's renowned city of
Yeddo: Ifieiidship commerce, a supply of coal and
provisions and pi-otection for our shipwrecked people.

" \V(! have directed Commodore Perry to beg your
Imperial Majesty's acceptance of a few presents. They
are of no j^nsat value in themselves ; but some of
them may serve as specimens of the articles manu-
factui-cd in the United States, and they arc intended
as tokens ol our sincere and respectful friendship.

" May the Almijrhty have your Imperial Majesty
in His ^rcuit and holy keeping.

" Your good friend,

" Millard Fillmore.""

It was not until July of the following year tl.dt
the Commodore, with a squadron now augmented
to the number of four vessels, made his appearance
in th(' Hay of Yeddo. The fleet of four immense
v/ar vessels, two of which emitted clouds of black
smoker Mild were able to plough through the Avater
without the aid of even a single sail, was a startling
sight to the Japanese. Soon the fleet was anchored
before the town of Uraga, nearer to the capitrl than
ever a foreign vessel had gone before, and the tedious
negotiations began. The first eff'ort of the Japanese
was to get the Commodore to leave and go t'
Nagasaki, where the Dutch were residing; but tb's

N'lNG.

request your
lient port, in
'e our vessels
cy desirous of

1 I have sent
adron. to pay
)\vned city of

of coal and
recked people.
' to hog; your
resents. They

but some of
,rticles manu-
r are intended
'riendship.
erial Majesty

Fillmore."

ng year t'.at
\v augmented
is appearance
Pour immense
)uds of black
gli the water
as a startling
was anchored
; capital than
id the tedious
the Japanese
e and go t'
!ing; but tb"s

:.^

DAYBKE.XK,

256

he would not do, knowing full well that his purpose
could not be accon.plished by suhmitting to any of
the regmlat.ons imposed on the Dutch. There he was
in the Bay of Yeddo, and there he would remain until
pioper oftc.aLs were appointed to receive the letter
fron. the President of the United States; and if this

bac.ed by the f orco of arms, deliver the communication
m penson. The Japanese soon realized that they were
under necessity to treat with the stranger. The proper
offi.er.s were appointed, a .special building erected on
«lmre lor the ceremony, and amidst the booming of
cannon an.l a splendid display of the military M^ith
martial nni.sjc the Commodore procee<led to the
recept.on hall and delivered the important documents,
with the announcement that he would return next
year tor his answer.

It is impo,s,sible for us to follow all the details of
the negot,ation.s. Suffice it to .say tliat the . .vern-
ment of Japan complied with the request of the
President of the United States, and two ports
namely, Shimoda, on the peninsula of Idzu, and Hako-
date in the extreme north, were opened to foreign
tiade. Shimoda was soon exchanged for Yoko-
hama and in course of time Naga.saki. Kobe and
Nii^ata were also made acces.sible to foreign trade,

small block.s of land were set apart and devoted to
foreign residence. All the great European nations
soon fo lowed .suit, and in a few years legations were
established, and the foreigner had come to stay in

fr I ,

iW'

256

japan; the land of the morning.

liili,

pi ; '1

3 i ''

limmi

spite of the intense hati-eJant! hostility manifested by
a great many of the people.

We must now turn to th*; wonderful internal
changes which were set in motion by the ^irst sturdy
knock of the United States Commodoic upon the
door of the nation. It is very evident tliat (lie Gom-
mod 'Jf imagined he Wiis treating directly witi* the
Emperor, and i!i.i.t the privileges he obtained wex'e
granted by the Iim])? lial (Joverament. Such was not
by any means the cm; •. The Emperor and his court
were three hundred i. liles away, and had nothing lo
do with the ai%ir.

Here was a case of a man obtaining rope enough to
hang himself. The Tokugawa usurpers had, in ail
conscience, plenty of license given them in the use of
the Imperial authority, and all went well when they
used it in relation to the internal affairs of the nation ;
but the moment they came face to face with the
" hairy foreigner," then their ill-gotten authoi'ity
betrayed them into a trap which resulted in the utter
destruction of their throne and its glory. Here was
the spectacle of an underling daring to enter into
treaty relations with a great foreign power without
even subinitting the matter to his lord the Emperor.
At once the fat was in the fire. Enlightenment had
now become so general that the leading men in the
great southern clans saw the significance of the act
and realized very clearly that a great national crisis
had come.

To strike for freedom now meant the overthrow oi
the hated Tokugawa =.i. d the restoration of "^^ e r*.]

nifested by

;il intei-aal
iivat sturdy
; upon the
it the GoDi-
y witl.) tlbi
Kiined were
ich was not
id his court
nothing lo

e enough to
had, in all
a the use of

when they

the nation ;

e with the

I authority

in the utter

Here was

enter into
*^er without
le Emperor,
enuient had

men in the
3 of the act
tional crisis

verthrow <
of ^^^e r. i

DAYBREAK.

257

--e^nty to the Imperial recluse at Kyoto; while
to^.t the opportunity pass would be to s cur. to t le

«;: Hu mdeHnite lease of power because
stien,th gained n-ough alliance with foreign nations
nussig,nngof the treaty with the United States
horefore, produced a profound sensation Wh^^^^^^^^

;Honorthe.^^:r:ji-rr;:::;i

lett then homes at once, declaring they would never

stc^id '''"^; T' ''' E-1--^ -toLi t p ;;

snouki expel the verv l.i«f «k„: i i . i-'""^^
the.ae,.od',a„cI„ft,7j,t: ' ''"'""""" "™'

Event, now f„llowo,I each other in rapid .,„,ees-
on. The authonta..s at Tokyo eouU no on.er hoM
.0 peop e m .ubjeetion. Bands o£ warriorsCn" el
hroush the country .seeking an opportnnitv ot y
ing the foreigners and also of destrovin,, ;i,
of the Shog^n,. On one oceasio^I ^y itCn^^^
offica, of the Shognnate was n.nrdemr ^, 1"
the cast e gate in Tokyo. Legations were" bumec
and the foreign residents were con.stantly in dan^r
of n,oIestat,on and even of losing their lives T^e
whole country was thus thrown into a .state of unl
and complete disorder. "■'

The next step which niarked the conn'n.r chan™
was the .^newal of the ancient custom of t e SlZ

yems hut now aga.n the people saw the actual

k'. til

PI!

I"..' I

1 ii i 1

iiii

u ■

■ .1

''.V

V ill

i I

i *

258

japan; the land of the mouning.

relationship betAveen the recluse Emperor and his
chief general at Tokyo. Then followed another im-
portant move which was a death-blow to the glory
and supremacy of the Shogunate. For over two
hundred years every feudal lord in the whole Empire
was obliged to leave his family in Tokyo the whole
year round, while he himself, with a great retinue of
armed men, had to reside there for six months of the
year. This was exceedingly galling to these proud
chiefs. Now, however, the decline of the authority
of the Shogun became apparent by the repeal of this
regulation. 'Jhe result was remarkable. In a few
short hours Tokyo was deserted, its glory departed,
never to return again until with glad acclaim the
people should welcome the Son of Heaven to His new
palace and rightful throne.

What Tokyo lost, Kyoto gained. The clans now
mustered around the old Imperial city ; the revenues
which but a few short months ago went to fill the
coffers of the Shogunate, now poured into the old
treasury of the Emperor, so long and wofully depleted.
Never since the age of the Taira, seven hundred years
before, had the old capital assumed so much regal
magnificence and been the centre of so much life.

The burning question now was the presence of the
hated foreigner in the treaty ports. 1 here he was by
the act of the Shogun and not of the Mikado, and by
that act the Shogun had been placed in the uncom-
fortable po.sition of having proved recreant to liis
duty towards his Imperial lord, and had thereby
Jpst his prestige. And the worst of it all was that

ro.

)r and his
,nother im-
3 the glory

over two
ole Empire
I the whole

retinvie of
itlis of the
lese proud

authority
•cal of this

In a few
' departed,
cclaini the
bo His new

elans now
e revenues
to fill the
to the old
y depleted,
idred years
tiucli regal
:h life,
mee of the
he was by
do, and by
:he unconi-
ant to his
id thereby
1 was ihai

DAYBREAK.

259

the Shogun could not rectify his ndstake. He had
seen those great war .ships and had learned bl^
a peradventure timt, thougli he were to hurl i I
whole strength of the E^upire. reinLc .1 "nfo "
he could never drive those stubborn sea-dogs "wt
Force ben.g of no avail, he would try persuasion Z"
e.nbassy was sent across the sea to plead wTh tie
foreigner m Ins own home, but all to no avail The

ov^eUhzow was now only a n.atter of a few months at

As yet the loyal clans, who from the beginning

foot :; ;r f '"'] 'r '""'^■"^^^" '-' ^^^^--^ ^^ " -

orlnl i r """" ^""^ "^ ^-^-* -^th the

loitignei. Ihey had not seen what tho «!],^ ,

tl ey coulJ hx the fore.gner all right if thoy wore
let loose upon h„„. Consequently they advised Ue

barba, ans, w,tl> the determination that if the Sho
gun could not accomplish it they would. T sc. c
was .ssued, but the pesky pale-faco still ren a Ld a
nnmovable as ever, and the only result was to .4
the Shogun s position still more intolerable. He could
neither do one thing nor the other
The great southern clans of Choshiu and Satsuma

now thought their tin,e had come to accon.plish Tat
he Shogun could not; but they, too, learned hdr

lesson, and that very effectuiljv si.t

first to get her eyes onen . ,\, f "" ^^ *''^
and cruel r,, ^y^\°l^p--'' ""wl that ,n a very rude
and cruel manner, reflect,- . indeed, nothing but shame

tlH

i ! I

260

JAPAN; THE LKl^Lt ; F TUi;; MORNING.

on tlie foreifi^ner. It liappenod that just at the time
when the tide of national t'eelin<;' was ninnin<^ high,
and when the safety of the foreign residents was
very precarious, a band of Satsunui men ■" 'der the
eoniniand of the far-famed Saigu \\'a,s on its way
homeward from Tokyo. On that very day the
Japanese fuithorities at the capital, fearing trouble
between tliese red-hot pati'iots and the foreigners
should thoy chance to meet, had re(piested the latter
to refri ia from travelling on the Tokaido for that
day. Thi; warning was very foolishly disregarded, as
the se(j[uel will show. Before ivaehing Yokohama,
this band of Satsuma w^arriors met a party of foreign-
ers, consisting of three gentlemeri and a lady, at an
intersection of the road. Although fully warned of
the fatal consequ'^nces wdiich would be sure to follow,
Richardson, the leading spirit in the company, pushed
his horse right into the midst of the procession. This,
of course, was from a Japanese, as well as from a
foreign standpoint, a gi'oss bxeach of eti(|uette, and
met at once its terrible retribution. ( 'ut flashed the
keen swords of the wu iors, cUid Richardson fell from
his horse mortally wounded, wdiile the other members
of the party barely e.sean ■■1 with their lives.

Richardson being a British subject, tn-itain stepped
in and demanded an indenniity of £125,000, and urged
her claim by sending a fleet and bombarding Kago-
shima, the Satsuma chief's capit:; Inking his vessels
and leaving behind little else tit i a -ap of ruins.
None but the most rabid partisan will for a moment
deiend the action of the British authorities in this

10.

it the time
nin;^ High,
ideiits was
-'ler tlie
111 its way
i (lay the
iijX trouble

fori'i fliers
I the hitter
lo for that
cgarded, as
Yokoliama,
of foreij:;n-
hidy, at an

warned of
e to follow,
my, pushed
sion. This,

as from a
quette, and
flashed the
)n fell from
Br members
s.

ain stepped
>, and urged
ding Kago-
; his vessels
ip of ruins.
V a moment
ties in this

DAYBREAK.

2G1

ner brctlnen from across the seas; and it may b. this
wa the motn-e whieh I.d Britain to deteiaim. on
such an exhibition of force.

It was now Choshiu's turn to try the tug of war

I and, he . the celebrated Straits of .Shimonoseki This

stmit IS the high-road of all foreign comni.rce ias in '

^c^UjenortheniCidn^^^

Here the Choshiu chief built his forts, planted his can

non an. stationed his quickly i,np,,vi Ld wa sX

hy finng on foreign vessels passing throucrh Ameri
can,Frenc „.l Dutch ships were%lius att.ekc. and
iTnT:::; ' ''r ^'^^^^^^''^^^' together wi 1 Eng

l:::::!b::";rijr^rr^^"^^
-..ished and ^^;:::^ JZ:;:izf^

just,c„ of all tl„s may very properly be questioned
but here .s „„t the slightest doubt-„f thr,„ luTarv
effect upon the leading „,en of Ja,,an ^

Hitherto the attitude of the Japanese wa., that
they were the civilized people and tl e foreigner fron
oyer the seas was the ,«rbarian. but now'S.e fo"
of tore.jfn arms re-entoreino' the l™.on<, of f
o.viH.ation, had taught them 'that Tert^X

262

JAPAN; THE LAND OF THE MORNING.

ImrbariaiiH ami the fore i<:^nor was tlie exponent of
civilizati(jii. From that time the very men who
were the most bitter a<;aiiist the openin^ij of the gates
of the nation to foi'ei;^ni intercourse, were Hie lirst to
turn around and advocate tlio adoption of western
civilization.

It is needless to follow minutely the course of
events which very (|uickly ended in the removal of
the Shoj^un from his office and the a])pearance of the
Mikado among his people as their sole ruler.
Struggles there were and bhjod was shed, but these
were nothing in comparison with the magnitude of
the revolution. One stands amazed, that away out
there in a lan<l of idolatry and heathenism, and
among a very warlike people, such mighty govern-
mental changes could l)e brought about so silently, as
compared with like events among peoples of Saxon

oi'igni.

Soon after the reconstruction of the Government
under the young Emperor, who still reigns, an edict
was promulgated, calling upon all the feudal lords to
relin<iuish their tiefs or provinces to the Crown, and
to come and reside in Tokyo. This also was accom-
plished with very little fricti-^n, and thus like a dream
of the morning the great fabric of feudalism vanished
away. And yet our simile is hardly correct, because
the debris remained. Each one of the.se lords liad
large bands of soldiers, and to these the fall of the
old system was a terrible blow. Their occupation
was gone. Never had they soiled their hands with
toil, uor had they ever had an anxious thought as to

jxment of

men wlio

the gates

he first to

jf western

course of
enioval of
lice of the
lole ruler.

but tliese
^iiitude of
away out
nisiii, and
y govern-
silently, as

of JSaxon

avernment
s, an edict
al lords to
Irown, and
^^as accom-
:e a dream
1 vanished
ct, because
lords had
'all of the
occupation
ands with
lUght as to

DAVBUEAK.

203

^here tluMr da.ly bread was to con.e from; but now
all was changed. Too proud to work, too improvident
to conserve what little remaine.l to then., 'the grea
feann.ra,. or warrior class, fell into penury and want
a>nse,u,.,tly. the old feu.lal castle citie.s^vhicl' had
bee,, the centres of life and activity all over the
eoun ry, well-nigh collapsed, and presented scenes o
decadence and desolation, heart-sickening indeed

unZt f^'^^'r^ ^'^'^ ->'y to go along the
unbeaten tracks, where as yet the light of the new
day has scarcely dawned, to see evidences of that
great change, which, while it brought untold good
to the nation, brought .lownfall and ruin to thou-
sands ot proud, aristocratic homes

From the time of the downfall of feudalism, the

znen tZ '"" '? f 7" ''" ^'^""^'' clear-headed
ben ^ y^ ""^"^^-1^'^^' ti--o"e of the Emperor now
bent all their energies to acquire for their nation
all the accessories of European civilization. Some of
he foremost men of the nation were sent abroad to
learn of and secure the best systems and appliances
HI operation in civilized countries. Scores of yo„n^
men were soon studying in Europe, and the evi.lence!
of change soon became visible in the government of
Japan. Instead of the old. armor-clad, feudal warrior
a new army, modelled after the German system, was'
brought into being. Ships of war were purchas;d in
l^urope. and the navy soon took on a decidedly Enfrlish
caste. The Imperial University, founded' V/tt
Shogunate a couple of hundred years before, now
opened its doors to a goodly number of learned men

264

JAPAN; THE LAND OF THE MORNING.

■n

^•Mll:

III

from Europe to fill its different chairs. A mediccal
school with a German faculty soon sent forth numbers
of skilled physicians to man the different hospitals
opened in the great centres of population. Law

schools, both French and English,

were opened

in due time, as were schools foi- the study of the
English language; and thus from year to year the
nation made mighty strides in the new pathway she
had chosen for herself.

Then, to crown all, the Emperor promised his people
that he would l)estow upon them within the space
of ten years a constitution granting them a large
measure of self-government by establishing houses of
legislature. This promise has already been redeemed,
and although it may be doubted whether the bestowal
of such large powers upon so unenlightened a people
is not a little premature, yet there is no doubt that
the outcome will be the rapid development of the
country into a higher and nobler type of national life.

No one can follow carefully and re\ erently the
history of these mighty changes without beholding
clearly the nn'ghty hand of the King of kings working
out His infallible purposes in this little island empire
of the Orient.

^o.

A medical
fch numbers
t hospitals
tion. Law
re opened
idy of the

year the
ithway she

1 his people
the space

;m a large
r liouses of

redeemed,
e bestowal
;d a people
doubt that
mt of the
tional life,
rently the

beholding
18 working
nd empire

CHAPTER X.

SUNRISE IN SUNRISE LAND.

Our story is now drawing to a close bnf v.. i
-e..ved the best fo. the ll^t-o,. :^'t Z r
t bo.,t co,„es la.t. All those ..-eat change. wS
h. ve been „,a,.halled in ,,,,;,, „„„,,!„„ betJour

tnctk and l„„.|y Je.,u.s couhl find no pkee ■ and in

piepaic to do work in far-off lands. God therefore
^lunng hepast century, ha. been working 'r n*

nnssionaiy, as He has been rousi^.g the Chrisiian
Ch^ up to its duty of sending fo4 the 1.!: r^^
the C OSS :o the very ends of the earth. The same
almighty hand which leads forth ih T

-ling the people of those'lS,, 'L IZ e^^

glory forever and ever.

fanltr ^™" C<"™^«l»-« Perry had started on hi,,

Ch™ch hid r, *°-^'""''" ^™''- "» Cln-tian
wa ,A r;f °""""^' "y^-' *'='-°-^» "■« waste of

myste.y Already nnss.ons had been established in
"« treaty ports of China, and several missionarie

266

JAPAN ; THE LAND OF THE MORNING.

( »:f

were tliere awaiting an oppoi'tunity of entering the
land of the Mikado. This was furnished by Commo-
dore Perry in 1854, and the eager lieralds of the Cross
were not slow to take advantage of it, and very soon
the foot of the missionary trod the sacred soil of the
land of the gods.

In tracing the rise and progress of Protestant
mission work in Japan up to the year 1883, I quote
from " An Historical Sketch of Protestant Missions in
Japan," prepared by the Rev. J. F. Verbeck. D.D., for
the Osaka (Conference of Missionaries which was held
in that year. Dr. Verbeck begins "his able treatise
thus :

" When, in the year 1854, it became known that the
Empire of Japan having concluded treaties of amity
and peace with several of the western powers, was to
be reopened to foreign intercourse, the outside world
generally, and friends of Christian missions particu-
larly, took a deep interest in the event; for now, at
last, after long ages of seclusion from the rest of
mankind, that country with its millions of inhabitants
was to be again made accessible to commerce and
Christianity. Had not the time been, when fleets of
argosies, laden with untold treasures, came home to
Mediterranean and Atlaniic ports from these same
distant shores ? Was it not an historical fact that
Roman missionaries, three centuries ago, had here
met with remarkable success ? Had not the Japanese
Christians sliown a zeal for the faith they had then
embraced and a perseverance in the same, which have
at all times been a source of surprise as well as an

ING.

entering the
by Commo-
of the Cross
id very soon
d soil of the

Protestant
883, I quote
i Missions in
ck D.D., for
leh was held
ible treatise

•wn that the

ies of amity

^vers, was to

itside world

ons particu-

for now, at

the rest of

inhabitants

nmerce and

lien fleets of

ne home to

these same

al fact that

), had here

he Japanese

iy had then

which have

I well as an

SUNRISE IN SUNRISE LAND.

267

o^iect of admiration ? But if a corrupted Christianity
had once produced such marvellous results wha^
-^ht not now be hoped from the introduction' o he
trospel in Its piuity >

■■ Sucli, .loul,tles», were the tho„gI,ts of many at

the t™e. At all event., »,„e ,niJona.y sodZ a

onee.eton toot in.uiHe. with the view'^f . Z^y

occupation of this new held, A.s early as 1854 tl^

Board Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Chu eh

n the United State,, of America reqi.este,! one of he

repieseii atives in China to visit .,„,an, to obtain

^...•nte infonnation n, order to the ,se,iding ont of

mssionaries; but no progrcs,, was tlien made pro

esidenee of foreigners was not .secured till five years
k ter. A., soon, however, as this right was secured by
Ute, treaties, some of the American .societies took
measures to cariy into effect the zeal of the Chur h
to. the evangelisation of this country, and put their
own sanginn, ,,„,, ^ „ p,„„,„^, ^^^ ^ ^^__^ 1 _^ ■

number of iiiissionarie.s. The result was that before
he close of 18o<) the year of the actual opening"

ft^staiit cluu-ehes were fairly established on this

divi]e'°-/"i'f''^ of Protestant missions in Japan
divides Itself conveniently into two periods of nearly
equal length. The first period extends from I e
»um".e.: " 'f ^ '1- end of 1872, and may be called
the period of preparation and promise. The second
period runs from t,,« beginning of 1873 to the

Mli

268

■JAPAN ; THE LAND OF THE MORNING.

proHciil; it luiH been a season of i^rogressive realization
and pcrrofriianee. The former was, with tlie excep-
tion ol' one joyful (lay of harvest near its close, a time
of Icnniiiin- ,111(1 sowing, the latter a time of reaping
as well MS of sowing for future harvests. The gocxlly
nuiiihcr of those who have patiently ami hopefully
lahoivil tlirough well-nigh the whole or large portions
of (lie two |M'rioils, well know the marked difference
between |||.. earlier and later."

In outlining the work of the first period, Dr. Ver-

beek tells of the coming, during the year 1859, of those

pioneer iiiissionfiries, several of whose names have

l()ng ago l)ec(Miie household words among the company

of believers in Japan, and will Hve in the Christian

Churcl! oj' Japan throughout all time because of the

uol.le, self-sacrificing work of those who bore them, in

the laying of the foundations, deep and broad, of the

noble church of the future. To Bishop Williams, of

the Protestant Kpis/'opal Church of the United States,

and Dr. Vctrbeck, of the Reformed Church of America,

both of whom still pursu(; unfalteringly their loved

mission in jhe land of their adoption, and to ])r. J. C.

Hepburn and S. R. Brown, of the Presbyterian

Mission, the latter of whom has lonir a<ro irone to his

reward, while the former now rests in his native land

from a, long life of incessant toil, awaiting with joy

the coming of tlie Master- — to these men belongs the

honor of again planting the standard of the Cross

upon the hill-tops of Japan, and of lifting up Jesus

to tile gaze of thousands of her people in these later

days. Dr. V(!i-beck also gives the names and dates

•3

•y.

ill!

'JING.

ve realization
;h the excep-
> close, a time
ne of reaping
The goodly
nd hopefully
arge portions
:ed difference

iod, Dr. Ver-
i 859, of those
]ianie.s have
the company
the Christian
icause of the
jore them, in
broad, of the
Williams, of
nited States,
1 of America,
their loved
to Dr. J. C.
Presbyterian
) gone to his
i native land
ing with joy
. belongs the
f the Cross
ng up Jesus
1 these later
!S and dates

! ii;

270

JAPAN'; THE LAND OF THE MORNING.

of the coming of tlie other missionaries durinfr this
perioci; but the names ah-eady mentioned being by
far the most prominent, will suffice for our purpose.
In describing the condition of the country and the
obstacles which had to be encountered by these
pioneers, the narrative runs as follows :

" The state of the country and people during the
early part of the period now under review was
exceedingly peculiar, perhaps unique. The situation
of the first missionaries was often a tryinc one.
With much that was agreeable, there was more
that was perplexing. Danger, too, was not infre-
quently innninent; for it was the time of attacks
without either provocation or warning, and of
assassinations from patriotic motives. But those
who passed through these early experiences Avere
mercifully helped in all their peculiar situations and
perplexities, and delivered from all their dangers, so
that now a few of them are permitted to be here to-
day to testify in person to the goodness of the Master
who called them to this field."

To show the intense hatred to the foreigner and to
Christianity which prevailed at that time, the writer
quotes from " Written Reports toucliing that Period,"
and the extracts are so interesting that we insert
them here : " The missionaries soon found that they
were regarded with great suspicion and closely
watched, and all intercourse with them was conducted
under strict surveillance. ... No teacher could be
obtained at Kanagawa until March, J8(J0, and then
only a spy in the employment of the Government. A

in ■ \

ING.

during this
3d being by
3ur purpose,
try and the
d by these

during the
review was
lie situation
trying one.
I was more

not infre-
■ of attacks
ig, and of

But tliose

iences were

nations and

dangers, so

be here to-

the Master

gner and to
the writer
lat Period,"
i we insert
d that they
.nd closely
3 conducted
ler could be
►, and then
rnment. A

SUNRISE IN SUNRISE LAND. 271

proposal to translate the Scriptures caused his
brightened withdrawal.

•; The efforts of the nn'ssionaries for several years
owmg to the surveillance exercised by the GoCn
;.en.^re mostly confined to the ae,Litio'^^

"Mr. Verbeek, i„ „„ o],| Ht.v to Mr. Stout, of the
«ne „„„,,o„. .sayH: -We f„un,I the nativesnot a

sul.uct ot ,el,f;,„n w„.s moote.I i„ the pre.sence of

Oe api,l,e, to h,» throat, to indicate tlio extreiue nerii

tha one happened to be present, the natural .shyne '
ot the,e people because, if p„.s,sible, .still n.ore api
ent or you wll ren,en,ber that there was then 1 ttle
c „h,fenee between n.an and n.an, chivtiv ow 170
tne abonnnab e system of s!or>,.of • " , . ^

f 1 • ,. ,. -y^^*^'" "f secret eHpioaafre wh ch wo

deed fo, .several years after It was evident that

tori r ° H ^T '" '° ""y"""" "' «"'■ appointed
wori. two thmjp had to be accomplished : we had

tojam the general confidence of the people. Id we

had to ,na.ster the native tongue. A.s to the fii.t by

the n,ost know„,g and suspicious we were rec-ar led

as persons who had come to seduce the n.Is s o

the people from their loyalty to the " Go.l-countn "

a .d corrupt their morals generally. These gross mt

oncep ,ons ,t was our duty to endeavor'to lisll

vr.^v. and by .,ho.ving them that we had come to

272 japan; the land of the morning.

do them jjood only. On all occasions of our inter-
course with them, wlietlior we met in friendship, on
business, on duty, or otherwise, this was a very simple
duty indeed. As to the other essential prerequisite
to a successful work, the actpiisition of the lan^nuige,
we were in many respects not favorably situated, and
our prof,nvss was correspondino-ly slow.'

"Statements like the following are connnon in ac-
counts of those times : ' The missionaries shared with
the other foreifjn residents in the alarms incident to
a disturbed state of the country, and were sometimes
exposed to insult and even assault.' 'The Samurai
were intensely hostile.' 'The Hwat,^(,^erin(r Samurai,
armed with two swords, cast many a scowlin<,^ look
at the hated foj-ei<rners, whom they A';ould gladly
have expelled from their sacred soil.'

" As late as 1809, one report sets forth that ' the
Govennnent was at that time confessedly hostile
to Christianity. Not long before, many hundreds
of Roman Catholic Christians had been torn from
their homes near Nagasaki, and were then closely
confined in prisons in diiferent parts of the country.'
And at a much later date, ' when incpiiry was made
of the Governor of Kobe whether a native book-
seller would be permitted to sell the English Bible,
the reply was given that any Japanese bookseller
who sold a Bible would have to go to prison.'

"Among the new enactments of the Imperial
Government after the fall of the Shogunate, was the
following : ' The evil sect, called Christiana, is strictly
prohibited. Suspected persons should be reported to

of our inter-
Friendship, on
a very simple
I prerequisite
blie language,
situated, and

3nnnon in ac-
} shared with
s incident to
re sometimes
^he Sdinurai
ig SuTnurai,
cowling look
'ould gladly

th that 'the
ledlv hostile
\y hundreds
1 torn from
then closely
the country.'
y was made
lative book-
iglish Bible,
a bookseller
son.'

le Imperial
late, was the
IS, is strictly
! reported to

SUNRISE IN SUNRISE LAND. 273

the proper officers, and rewards will he ' . m.
representativcvs of the .several trol ^ '"' ^^''

brought the subjects ^'l^^ttj;'r'''''^'^'^^y
before the Governmonf T T ' P^^^secutions

K'-ound tukfii hv tl,„ '"■"'""■ttlc success. TI.e
these wo-o matted, "f™ ,"""'""'■•- "-us that

a« 1B71 : Mr H Pni i ^ Im '^''P'"' '^'^ ^^^e

teacher calledlchiH V ' '"^'^' ''^ ^^^'' ^'^'l a
LciiiLd icluKavva Yeniosuke Tr. +i

tlie year named, this man .nd 1 •/ "" 'P""^' ^^

at dead of ni-^h an ' ^' '''^' '"'^'^ '^"'^^^^d

"J„iic and tiirown into prison Wo i.o i ^

»me t,„>e been an earnest st„,le n't o the Biw! J
had expressed the desire tn ,.„ • , "^' ""<'

not been bapti.e, ffi^ *°f '' "''"''"'' '"■' '«>'•

as a Christian. Eve,^ eff.it"'" "°V'"'" ■•"-'^'"^'J

"lease; but neitltr tL T" """'" '° ^^^'^ his

, uuG neitliei the private rermesfs ,iF tl,„ ■

^nanes, nor the kindly offices of ft A ■""'
Consul, nor even tlm«e „fT . American

availed anytli n" pt °^"'% ^'™»<=an Minister,
was not k,,own a the tT I "'""' "' confinement
that he had been confiiM™""' '™-'"' ''-■■■"•nee!
on NovemberSth Tsr/ hT T """ ""' ''» ^""'

18 " ■ ^^ lehgiuus mil uence.

I' wi

I'M

s
I

!,!

,< ':i4

f I"

If'

274 JAPAN; THE LAND OF THE MORNING.

Among certain olasHeH a jfoo.l deal of a kind of afrnof-
tic Hceptici.sin prevail.'d. Tlua-o wu.s little in the
outward practice of the Japanese pagani.sni that
would .shock a foreitrner hy its cruelty or atrocity-
nothing, for instance, at all to bt; compared to the
Indian Suttee or the rites of the Jugo-ernaut. ]\[ore
than by tlie disagre.'abh; peculiarities of the prevailing
idolatri(is, were new-comers struck with the gross
inniiorality of the people. In certain directions
the mo.st astounding moral callousness and blindness
were evinced. The general degeneracy of the people
manifested itself most conspicuously in two features:
in the absence of truthfulness, together with the
presence of all its obnoxious contraries, and in a
general ignoranc* .-: the commonest ethics concerning
the relation of , • sexes, with, perhaps, the one
exception, thii;; ,v wife should be faithful to her
husband. With r fn-ence to this general subject,
many painful and di.sgusting spectacles were unavoid-
ably witne.ssed by many of the older missionaries, in
town and country, in shops, and by the way-side. On
the other hand, amid the general wreck of morals,
many pleasing remains of the original divine work-
manship were also met with. Among these may be
mentioned many instances of warm family affection,
of genuine kindne.ss, and of real sympathy, honesty
and faithfulness, the general peaceableness of the com-
mon people, and the politeness and suavity of the
manners of the people, down to the lowest classes.

" Looking at idolatry and immorality in the light
of obstacles to the reception and spread of Christianity

NO.

id of n<(nof!-
ttl(i ill tlie
anisia that
I" atrocity —
ared to the
laut. More
li prevailiiifj
the ^roHs
directions
d bliiubiesH
the jieople
'o features :
• with tlie
, and in a
concerninir
s, the one
ful to her
al subject,
'e unavoid-
ionaries, in
y-side. On
of morals,
vine work-
L\se may be
y affection,
y, honesty
»f the com-
ity of the
classes.

the light
hristianity

SUNRISE IN SUNRISE LAND.

275,

in Japan it is p.-obably ,,„ito ,saf. to sav that the
att,.r ., I p,, to be the ,uo,v tenacious ar,d iormid-
al)le ol (|i(> two."

Very formidabl... indeed, w.-re the obstacles which
thus confronted those ,,irly h.ral.ls of the Cr-
no ono can won.ler that the Hrst ten long vears
patient, unremitting toil yielded so little 'fruit in
numerical gains to the cause of Christ. A prepara-
tory work had to be done before souls could be .L a
work ,ust as much fraught with blessedness to the
Church as that of any sub.se(,uent period

In the hrst place, they had to live down prejudice
When they entered the country they were looked upon
as Jesuits and hated as crafty intriguers against the

enti led 1 ales of Nagasaki: the Story of the Evi
Doctrme. pnbh.shed by some Buddhist priests, the
author speaks of the Protestant faith thus- "Com
pared with the Roman Catholic religion, thi.s (Protest-
antism) IS a very cunning doctrine indeed: although
thy try to make out that there is nothing abomin-
able m 1 they are really foxes of the sam^hole, and

o t ma Ihe Jesus doctrine and the doctrine of

t Lord of Heaven (Protestantism and Catholicism)
aie the same m origin, and merely branches of the
one tree. The Roman Catholic religion proselyti. s
iroin he middle down to the lowest classes of "l"
inhal^ants. The Protestant religion chiefly p,,sei;
t.es hose o hig-her position rather than those of' tiL
middle class." In the same pamphlet, Mr. and Mr«

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1:1 ;i'

276 JAPAN; THE LAND OF THE MORNING.

Verbeck are mentioned in tl;i,s wise: "As th<^ Eoman
Catholic liad spread so widely, it behoved those of the
Frotestant doctrine to take some measures to increase
the cn^cle of tlieir sect also. A person called Maria,
the wife of one Verbeck, a priest of Jesus, left her
clnld at the breast and went to China in a steamer
^he went as far as Shan^rjuii and Hong Kono- for the
purpose of getting priests residing tliere to co'Jne with
her to Japan." This is only a sample of the number-
less stories and suspicions set afloat at that time which
found a ready credence on the part of the people.

It is easy to understand that this feeling could not
be neutralized in a day ; the missionaries had to live
It down, and this they have aba idantly accomplislied
They have shown by the living sympathy of their
actions and the purity of their lives that thev are
God's people and living exponents of the character of
Jesus. This accomplished, the next step, namely, that
of winning souls is comparatively easy.

Consequent upon this neutralizing of suspicions and
creating of confidence came many evidences that a
spirit of inquiry was being roused among the people
and that they were becoming easier of access The
circulac'-on or Christian literature increased very
rapidly. Fortunately, anything printed in Chinese
was perfectly suitable for circulation in Japan ■ so
that Chinese Bibles and tracts were distribut. d in
large numbers, a work which could bo easily per-
formed by missionaries still unfamiliar with the
language. At Nagasaki, we are told that, on one
occasion, a shipment of four large cases of these books

[NG.

i th'^ Roman
tliose of the
s to increase
ailed Maria,
■ius, left lier
a steamer,
-ong for the
) come witli
he number-
time which
people.
,' could not
lad to live
iomplislied.
ly of their
t the^'^ are
laracter of
imely, that

)icions and
ses that a
:he people,
cess. The
ised very
1 Chinese
^apan ; so
ibutf d in
asily per-
with the
t, on one
ese books

SUNRISE IN SUNRISE LAND.

277

from Clnna was purchased and paid for in bulk as it
ariv.ed. At Yokohama, and later at Tokyo' also,
the dernand for Chinese Christian literature was so
great that Mr. Carrothers. of the Presbyterian Mission
ound It e.xpedient to establish a book depository in
tJie latter pji'ce.

Tlie study of the lar.guage had also progressed very
rapidly, considering the difficulties to be encountered
Ihose early pioneers were no weaklino-s in mental
activity. I hey proved themselves to b-^ the men for
the occasion, and l;ave, by their splendid literary work
conferred a lasting boon on ali who have come afte;
them. There is not a single desk of a missionary
student in Japan without a copy of the excellent
Japanese-Enghsh and English-Japanese Dictionary,
compiled by Dr. J. Q Hepburn, the fruit of years of tife
most panistaking endeavor. Nor was this the greatest
work ot this the prince of missionaries in Japan. As
ong as the Word of God lives in and is held dear
by the hearts of the Japanese people, the name of
Dr. Hepburn will never die, for it was he who above
all others gave his time and thought to the work of
translating the Holy Scriptures into the vernacular
-a work the completion of which he had the ioy of
seeing accomplisherl in a perfectly satisfactory manner
ere ailmg health forced him to relinquish his beloved
employment.

But actual results there were in the conversion of

souls. The first fm.its wore gathered in, and seed-time

and harvest clasped hands even in those early days.

riie first fruit of these diverse labors was the

i!M

278

JAPAN; THE LAND OP THE MORNING.

baptism of Mr. Ballagh's teaclier, Yano Riu. in

186G, Mr. Verbeck baptize.! two rnembers of his
distant Bil,le-class, viz., Wakasa, tlie first Kara
(nnnister) of the Prince of Hizen, an.l Ayabe, Ins
younger brother. Of Wakasa's later Instory, chiefly
ow,ng to Mr. Verbec^.' s ren.oval to the north early in
18o9 httle was for ,. long time known, beyond tlie
act that he, too, had fallen asleep i„ the faith, in
.Zl'. . "^ Ji'-^PPy ^Vuits gathered after many days (in
1880) bear witness to his earnest zeal and faithful
efforts for the conversion of his childi^en, friends and
servants. In the spring of 1806, Bishop Williams of
the Episcopal Church, baptized Shiomura, of Hio-o.
in the summer of the same year, Mr. Verbeck Imd
three urgent applications for baptism made to him •
but he thought it expedient to advise delay, and
tound the advice justified by later developments. In
the sunnner of 18(58, he baptized a j^oung Buddhist
pnest, Shnnidzu. This man was cast into prison for
his faith soon after Mr. Verbeck was called away from
Nagasaki, in 1869, and endured much sufi'erin<r in
various prisons during five years. He was finally
released, and is now a member of the Koji-machx
Church m Tokyo. In May, 1868, Awadzu Komei was
baptized by Mr. Ballagh, and in February, 1869 Mr
Thompson baptized Ogawa Yoshiyasu, at present the
highly respected pastor of Asakusa Church, in Tokyo
and also Suzuki Kojiro, and an old lady. This sister
shortly afterward entered into the joy of her Lord
In 1871, Mr. Ensor, at the Church Missions, Nagasaki

NG.

w Riu, in
f" Pentecost,
ers of his
first Karo
Ayabe, lii.s
oiy, chiefly
'th eai-Iy in
teyond tlie
e faitli, in
ly days (in
I'l f'aitliful
I'iencls and
'illiams, of
, of Higo.
I'beck liad
e to Iiini ;
lelay, and
lents. In
Buddliist
prison for
wa}^ from
ff'ering in
as finally
oji-macbi
omei was
1869, Mr.
■esent the
n Tokyo,
his sister
ler Lord
Nagasaki

SUNRISE IN SUNRISE LAND. 279

Station, baptized a man called Nimura, whose name
will presently be mentioned again.

" At last God's set time for the organization of His
Church came. In January, 1872, the missionaries at
yokohama and English-speaking residents of all
denonnnations, united in the observance of the Week
of Prayer. Some Japanese students connected with
the private classes taught by the missionaries were
present, through curiosity or from a desire to please
then- teachers, and some perhaps from a true interest
in Christianity. It was concluded to read the Acts
m course day after day. and that the Japanese present
might take part intelligently in the service, the
scripture of the day was translated extemporan-
eously into their language. The meeting grew in
interest and was continued from week to week until
the end of February. After a week or two the
Japanese, for the first time in the history of the
nation, were on their knees in a Christian prayer-
meeting, entreating God with great emotion, with
tears streaming down their faces, that He would give
His Spirit to Japan as to the early Church and to the
people around the apostles. These prayers were
characterized by intense earnestness. ' Captains of
nien of war, English and American, who witnessed
the scene, wrote to us, ' The prayers of those Japan-
ese take the heart out of us.' A missionary wrote
that the intensity of feeling was such that he feared
often that he would faint away in the meeting Half
a dozen perhaps of the JaiDanese thus pul

engaged in prayer, but tl

blicly
ic number present was much

280

JAPAN ; THE LAND OF THE MORNING.

lese

larger. Tliis is the record of tlie first Ja
prayer-meeting.

fir^T.n '^''"''^r'-' '^ '^'''' P^-ayer-meetings, the
ftrst Japanese CJuustian Clnzrch was orc^aniVed in
Yoke,, a, on March 10th. 1872. It consist^ed Tni.:
young men, wJio were baptized on thnf J i7

middle-aged men who JaT •^' ^"'^ ^'^'^

'^ "^"' ^^^^o '^ad been pre viouslv bantizpd
VI.., Ogawa, by the Rev. David ThonnJn of te

Mission at Nacrasaki M,- n ' , '" *^''"™''

an,I W,. '"»■'"'''• "'■ Ogawa was chosen an older

gave then- church the catholic name of ■The Church

:n'tL::f'"™;'""" "■■^^^ ^^ "'^^'- -"-'-•

constitution a sni.ple ovangehVal c-eeJ, toRether with
one rules of church governiuent. acconliiK. to w ch
the goycriiinent was to be ii, the hands of "the pa or
and elders with the consent of the inenibers" '

to the httle band of faithful toilers who had so
resolutely pushed their way through those cferk y ar^
of d stnist and opposition. Now the clouds becrai, t '
break away in real earnest, and the ros^h^C^^
dawn spanned the eastern sky. It was in thef ^
part of this year th.,t tl,„ p ^ ""'■'■>'

A- . • ■' ""^ ^'Ovemment removed the

edict against Christianity from the public Notice
boards throughout the Kmnire Tl,;« K
indicated H„f H I '^'"I""^- '">« by no means
maicated that the law was abrogated. Thev were
removed beean.se, having been brfbre the eyes „
the nation for tw-o centuries, their subiect Zt
■■ was sufficiently imprinted upon the peojk t mint"

)J0.

'"■' Japa

nese

feo, the

etin2:s
^anized in
iecl of nine
y, and two
^ baptized,
n, of the
anui, and
e Church
I an elder,
ch. They
le Church
'n church
ther with
to which
he pastor

itful one
had so

I'k years

began to

fingered

he early

>ved the
notice-

' means

-y were

jyes of
matter

minds."

SUNRISE IN SUNRISE LAND. 281

Still it was an indication of what soon became
evident, namely, that liberty of conscience was to be
allowed to the people. This was all the more evident
trom a couple of other moves made by the Govern-
inent, viz., the disestablishment of Buddhism, which
had recently taken place, and tlio release of many
hundreds of Roman Catholic Christians from their
prison cells. From that time perfect freedom from
all official interference was accorded the little Church
in Yokohama, and the missionaries thankfully felt
that a wider scope was presenting itself for their con-
secrated eftbrt.

Now, it is our special purpose to follow, in the few
remaining pages the inception and growth of the
mi-ssion of the Canadian Methodist Church in Japan
which dates from this very year, 1873 ; and yet this'
sketch would be lamentably imperfect did it fail to
summarize the glorious results attending the work
of the other great churches laboring side by side with
us in Japan. The two decades that have been added
to history since then, have more than fulfilled the
most sanguine hopes of those early toilers, several of
whom are still on th(> field to rejoice in the mi-dity
spoils won for the Saviour. Instead of one church
or of one mission in one of the treaty ports of Japan'
there are now hundreds of churches scattered up
and down the four main islands, with scores of
well-equipped native ministers and tens of thousands
of communicants. There is not a single prefecture
on the islands mentioned that does nnf, count

few

earnest Christians among its inhabitants.

least

282

JAPAN ; THE LAND OF THE MORNING.

Tho ,six or sovon .liff,,rcnt missions sent out by tl>e

have un t„,l tho results of their toil into „„„ „,„,>!
.mtne Church, whieh no,v is operating, exten.^v v

tTlU '"'?■ '"r t'"'" '"''• ■"- Church has .1 :Z
^ s ,„et,vely Presbyterian nan.e an.l ereed, a , i
« <>« :,lly aumns at a general union of all native
C r;:';: "* •"" ^'™-""""'ti'"-^ into one sple H.

ast I p,.T;'"'f^ "*■ f'"'-''-"' ""ity. - far, at

summit f ''™^' °"° ''^ """■ ""•' """ «™><1 con-
summation I)eeome an established fact

The different sections of the Episcopal Church
have also un.ted their native forces into one eccle"ias

-nece^tyofSiti::^r::nh:3;s

between them and the other churches is the cLerJent
v.ews of each as to the nature of that unity-Is "„
whether ,t shall bo one of absorption or of' n,u nil

zrr r\ ""'"■,"*': '- "' ''^" ■^" ^>-*^^

triumph '"" ""' ■" "'° """''"l-"* g-" "■>"

The strongest single mission in the land is that of
the Amencan Board of Commissioners of Fore™
iWns, te Missionary .Society of the different C n-
g.cgat onal churches of America. This Mission be.-an
ts work m 1871. and very quickly had a very s tong
force operatmg in several of the great centres o thf

tNG.

out by the
'lid America
' one grand
extensively
la.s (lr( )])[)(>(!
I'eed, and i,s

all native
le splendid
;al illustra-
. as far, at
e aim is a
3 obstacles
grand con-

il Church
i ecclesias-
1 numbers
^ strongly
ly barrier
divergent
ty— as to
)f mutual
articipate
gain and

'■s that of
Foreign
•ent Con-
on began
y strong
2s of the

{:'

:i!l»iilllb!illiMiiiiijiSifeiil|!|^

JAPANESE CHILDREN.

SUNRISE IN SUNRISE LANn, 285

Empire. In course of time ,„a„y stronff self-supporting
churcl,e» .sprantn „p under tl,e fostering care, not only
ot }.e tore.sn um.sionari,.», but also of able native
pastors wboM, CJo,l calle.l into tbe «.ork, and of wl,o,n
more particular mention will be made further on
tins Umrcli alone now numbers ten thousand con-
It' ''' Tl "J"''';"^' ""''■""''"« '"■" "I'^'ations in all
par s , the Empire. To an outsider, an.l very pro-
bably to many within, also, there seems very I ttle
reason why this Church and the jjreat Presbyterian
or^nization should not at once consummate ,f union
winch would then throw into one body the great
majority of all the Protestant Christfans of the
Empire, and create a Church which would command
the respect of the Government and of the hisher
classe.,, and march through the country with the
swing of conquest. '^

Another incst hopeful feature of the w-ork in all
churches ,s the number of earnest, thoughtful young
men from among the native converts whom God if
thrusting forth into the ministry; and wl,i!e this is
connnon to every Church in proportion to ,;s size, yet
n he Congregational Church we have a most notable
instance of the wonderful works of God in this
particular. In the year 1872, the Prince of Higo of
which Kumanioto is the capital, invited an Amcrimx
gcntleinan i^med Capt. Janes to come and open a
school for the study of English in his city. The
invitation was accepted, the school was opened, and
all went well for a time; but Capt. Janes, although
not a missionary, was a man of God, and with his

;ft. 'i'

286

toael

of tlu. yonu}r men uhout hini tlio blessed

tlio (JoM)),.| of the Sou (,f (Unl T]

JAPAX; THE LAND OK THE MORXlNTi.
'^ of K.i^rlish 1,0 Nou^rht to instil into tl

pluMlOl

Mcnul

or sucli early times. No 1

H> niintjs

principles of

'•' result \vu8

Hfteen of his students not onl

<'ss tlu

tho Lord, but also dedicated tli

y ^iivo their hearts to

proachin^r the (Jospel. ()u it I

«'ir lives to the work of

HO large a number had turned

)e(

'omin<r k'uown that

their fathers, a perfect storm of

'iway from the faith of

these

driven from their 1

opposition arose, and
young men were ostracised, disinherited and
1 .,. , ''"'i' wliool was broken

"P. "..,1 , thoy einns to tl,.. ,„.«• r.ith thcv 1,„
e«,«u.so,I tl,e..c .sec.„K..I nothing for the,,, l,nt\\.M-

t«t,o,, ButOo.lI,,uIHi».,w,, ,,,«tpu,i,o,oinal
this, ai,d mis „nc,4-i„Kly worki,,., it o„t

So,„e yo,u-» previous to the eve„t ,U,„vo „„.„t,one,l

a young ,,„„, of the w„rrior class «„s i„,pe I |,y

the sp,r,t ,v,th,„ hi,,, to steal away tVou, l,is own
land, even tl.o„gl, there was a ufn on s, 1, a

aet,on, n,,.! to seek an education in foreign h,n,Js
Aftei many ^,e,ss,tu,les, he found his way to
Boston, and was there taken into the fa.nily of a
gen enjan ,,an,ed Hardy, and received at the'i.and!
of 1 bene aeto,- a n,ost libe.-al education, an,I, best
of all, he learned to know and love the Saviour

ZJ' .r™'™""' '>»■" °f »«'>"■» he was able to
■^e.ve h„ Oovern„,ent a, an interpreter, and so
reccyed a pardon for having run iway fro,,, h s

up to the work ot preaching tlu Gospel, and was
marvellously successful in whming hi. own country-

isn.

tli(> minds
"■iiiciplcs of

'■•'.suit was
l<'s.s than
if hearts to
bho work of
v'liowii that
tlie faith of

1 arose, and
eritt.'d and
ms broken

tlioy liad

hut (lesti-

■pose in all

incTitionod
ipellcd by
1 In's own

such an
ign lands.

way to
I'lily of a
ilie liands
nnd, l)est '

kSaviouz*.

able to

and so
'roin his
3 ln"mself
and was
country-

STTNRISE IS STTXRISE LAND. 287

men for God. This n.an was Joseph Ne.shi.na, with-
out whose name and the reeordof whos. w„rk no
^sketeh ol the rise and pro..ress of Christianity wouhl
be eon.plote Soon the .reat work of his lif. was thrust
.''"';,'^"';- :'''-^'''"-l'ofhisehoiceneede<lac.oll...o
;;;;.;;: '"T''. '^*" '-• >'--^' n.en. and for the
^'^""•1».^. o sueh an institution a el.ar-hea.led. far-
«een.,.. la.thlnl .Japanese was necessary, and such a
erne was ready m the person of Neeshin.a. Throucdi
<1<;"P Hlou.rhs of discoura^cc'.nent ar.d over hi-d. nuam-
ta,nsol obstacles he forced his way until h^ had the
sat.shtcfon ot seeing this young CJhristian college, the
DosHsha, nse t> be the Hrst and foremost Cl^i.stian
educational institution in the country.

Now, the remarkable coincident is, that the very
finst class to enter the theological department of this
new school was composed of the Kumamoto band
converted under the instrumentality of Capt. Janes'
ar. a number of these men are in the very foremost
m.^<.s of the Christian ministry in Japan t.f-d.^!

But such provi.lcntial events as these are not
conhned to any one Church. There is not a single
Christian organization that has not witnessed the
same wonderful workings of the Divine hand by
which a strong contingent of earnest native workers
has been put into the field. The significance of this
s tar-reaclung. It means that ere many decades
have come and gone, the whole Japanese Cliurch will
become gmndly self-supporting, and a .strong factor
in the problem of the evangelization of the Client
i^ut we must ha.'^ten to .sketch the work of the

288 japan; the land of the morning.

Metliodist contingent of tlie Christian forces operating
in Japan. It was just when the sky began to clear for
the CJn-istian nnssionai-ies, in the year 1878, tliat the
spu-itual descendants of liiin who said, " Tlie world is
my parish," first set foot on the shores of those far-off
isies, and they soor. found that Methodism had a
nnglity work to do there, in common with her sister
cliurches. It was in th(> same year that the Sleth-
odist Church of Canada and the Methodist Eiiiscopal
Church of the United States sent out their pioneer
nnssionanes, and from tliat time the two missions have
worked along side by side in mutual inspiuition and
helpfulness. Of course, the great Methodist Episcopal
Church has out-distanced her humble Canadian sister
m the numerical strength of the force put into the
held and m the territory covered, but not one whit has
the one exceeded the other in the wealth of zeal and
consecration manifested by the diff,u-ent workers.

One cannot review the work of the Methodist
Episcopal Mission without being struck with admira-
tion at the magnificent scope of the plan laid down
right at the very inception of mission eflfbrt. Their
watchword must evidently have been, not only Japan
for Christ, but Japan for Methodism. At the first
mission meeting held in Yokohama, on August 8th and
9th, 1873, and presided over by Bishop W. L. Harris
it was decided to distribute the force of five foreign
missionaries then available, so as to occupy as many
of the great strategic points in the Empire as possible
One was placed at Nagasaki, away to the extreme
south-west ; another at Hakodate, at the very opposite

SUNHISE IN SUNRISE LAND.

289

extremity ; two in Yokohama, and one in Tokyo
Ihese. with the exception of the men in Yokohama
and lokyo, were phiced lumdreds of miles apart but
witli the purpose of occupying, as rapidly as possible.
all the important places intervening. Magnificent
indeed, was the design, and no less admirable has been
the execution. That complete success has not yet
been achieved is not due to lack of energy or enthusi-
asm in the work, but simply that such a desir" needs
more time and means than have yet been at . .e dis-
posal of the mission. What has been planned, how-
ever, might be accomplished before many more years
have passed away, if all the Methodist forces operat-
mg 111 Japan would but follow the example of the
Presbyterian contingent and unite in one errand
Methodist Church, and thereby occupy every place of
importance from one end of the country to the other
VVe must now turn our attention more particularly
to the mission of our own Canadian Methodist Church
^ir.st-borii among our distinctively foreign missions
Japan has received a large share of hearty sympathy
and support from the Canadian Church, and slill holds
a very warm place in the affections of those who were
instrumental in the formation of the mission, and of
those, also, who have contributed so largely to its
Hupport. The time for the beginning of such a work
was auspicious. It had been for a few earnest
pioneers to squeeze in through the mere slit of an
entrance, and there, through more than a decade to
battle with suspicion and enmity until the long con-
flict was won. For that duty no large force was
\9

; I

290

japan; the land of the morning.

iih

lir

necessary ; but when doors of opportunity began to
open wider, then God had His men ready, and in the
year 1873 commenced pourino- them into the country.
Our Churcli chose wisely when it committed this
new mission into the liands of George Cochran and
Davidson Macdonald. The former liad ah-eady risen
to the liighest position in tlie pastorate the Church
had at its disposal. From the pulpit and pastorate
of the Metropolitan of Toronto, this devoted servant
of Christ went forth to an untried work. The latter
was not only an ordained minister, but als(3 a fully
qualified physician, and was thus doubly ecpiipped for
such a mission.

At first, our pioneer missionaries settled down in
Yokohama to study the language and a\A'ait the open-
ing of some providential door through which to enter
to their God-appointed task. Nor had they long to
wait. During the year following, both had removed
from Yokohama, Dr. Cochran to begin work by
teaching in Mr. Nakamura's academy; and Dr
Macdonald had the honor of being one of, if not the
first missionary to leave the treaty ports to reside and
labor wholly in the interior. At tliat time much of
Japan was still a term incognito to the foreigner,
and the distrust of the Japanese for all the ke to jin
(" hairy barbarians ") made it very difficult for a for-
eigner to obtain the privilege of residence in any of
the interior cities. However, the doors now began to
open. A desire for the knowledge which alone could
be obtained througli English books, and a need of
skilled medical treatment, were the two kpys that

SUNEISE IN SUNRISE LAND.

291

unlookecl them from the insi.le. Dr. Macdonald
received an mvitation to become a teacher of a school
m the old castle toM-n of Shid.uoka. The invitation
was promptly accepted, and fron, tliat day to this
Canadian Methodists have, by the blessin-. of God.
held the fort m that city and prefecture.

Strange, indeed, must liave been the feelings of
Doc or and Trs. Macdonald as they left behind them
all the pleasant associations of the foreign concession
m Yokohama and set their faces toward the dark
heathen city away across the mountains. Nor were
^lere the facilities of travel that there are to-day
No coinfortable raihmd trains traversed those plains
climbed around the rough mountain-sides and shot
through black tunnels. The only vehicle for moun-
tain travel was a kind of a basket slung on a pole
and borne on the shoulders of two men. Then there
were rivers to be forded or crossed in frail boats and
ail this with not a friend near, and scarcely enough of
the language acquired to suffice for the actual needs of
travelling, to say nothing of being able to understand
one-tenth of the chatter going on around them. Then
the living in that strange city, the greatest curiosity
m the place. The house was invaded night and day
by an endless string of Japs eager to get a peep
at the wife of the pale-faced foreigner. All this
with the continual hunger for the companionship of
triends, gave these, our pioneer missionaries, to pass
through experiences more trying by far than any-
thing encountered by the young missionary of these
latter days.

Ml.

:M\\\\^r'i

SUXRISE IX SUNRISE LAND.

293

For th

reo 3-eiU-,s tlicso t\v

<) iin.ssioiiario.s coiitiiiuerl

,""" ™'^ ''»'"'■« '"'y "■i..ro,c,„„„t w„. «.„t ti,.,„

from homo, „,„1 tl,„, tw„ other „n,„os we,v a,l,k.,l to
tte l,st o our ,„i„.sio„aric.» i„ .J„i,„n, „„n,os wl.ich
have also heco.ne ho„»ehol.l wor.ls throughout Can-
achan Meth„,h«,„. It i.s aUvays a .ala day f,„. t,^
m..s,„„a,.y when he starts for Yokohan.a to meet the
mcouuns .stea„,er a„,l weleo.ue the uew-couu-rs t<, tl>e
hel.1 He feels ahout as cou.plaeeut ,,s a ,uau who
has ha<I a fortune left him. Oh, those new f„ees of
o .1 ncnds, au,l those hearty hau.l-elasps, l„,w thev
hnll one through and through I And tiLu the I„ T
ug talKs^o, t„e l,on,e laud, the h„n,e Chureh a^'
he home fnends ) Truly, "as eold water to a thirsty
soul ,so IS goo,l news from a far country " ''

L. S. Eby, the former of whom aiuK.st innnecliately
proeeeded to Nun.adzu, in Shid.uoka Pref ,1
r.ght there between the beautiful Bay of Su .a
and he or y Fuji Yan,a, the sacred mount; tf
J. paa Jo tins place Dr. Meaeha.n had been invite,!
l^- a tew progressive Japanese to teach in one o
hen- .sehooLs^ Thus another door was opened no

n To ;:'; :^ °;;" ™'-™--- «■■■ e-.' rcuLi:::!:

in Iol.yo until the .sprn.g of 1878, when he too
found acces,s to the interior and sta-te.l off for kl
the cap.ta of Yamauashi Prefecture. whW, ts'
encon,pas.sed by a triple raue-e of loffv I,|| f • ?
■nilos directly to the wLtward'of Toky . ' 'l e"3

was

fehidzuoka and Numadzu was difficult, that

doublj

to Kofu

«o. TJiere were then great stretches of

294

JAPAN; THE LAND OF THE MORNING.

'Hi

httlo bridle-paths right over the mountains, where
scarcely a kago could go, much less any other con-
vej-ance. " Shanks' mares " had to be resorted to for
ten miles at a stretch. Even until to-dav there is no
more toilsome Journey to any place of like importance
on the main island, and many of us, including Dr.
Sutherland, our veteran missionary secretary, cannot
forget the intense weariness and aching limbs experi-
enced ere we reached the little city of the mount-
encircled plain.

Here, then, we have the distribution of our four
early missionaries to four different centres of work.
The scope of the plan adopted was not so pretentious
as that of our American brethren, nor couhl it be, for
the resources were not at all available ; and yet, no
better distribution could have been made, as the
results have abundantly proved. Dr. Cochran, in
Tokyo, began religious services in his own house, and
very soon, under the blessing of God, gathered around
him a company of believers. Would you see the
results of his earnest toil ? They abide to-day in at
least three churches in the city of Tokyo, and more
especially in men like the Rev. Y. Hiraiwa (so well
and favorably known to the people of this country),
who were brought to (Christ through his instrumen-
tality. Nor is this all, for I am sure there is not a
single Japanese pastor in our Church in Japan to-day
who has not the impress of Dr. Cochran's thought and
chan^cter upon him. Our native ministry is largely
what he has made it.

Nor was Dr. Macdonald's ministry any less success-

:ng.

ains, where

other con-

lorted to for

there is no

importance

eluding Dr.

ary, cannot

mbs experi-

the niount-

f our four
s of work,
pretentious
(1 it be, for
md yet, no
:le, as the
'ochran, in
house, and
red around
)U see the
day in at
and more
^a (so well
! country),
nstrumen-
! is not a
)an to-day
ought and
is largely

5s success-

SUNRISE IN SUNRISE LAND. 295

ful in Shidzuoka. Indeed, his success in winning souls
during those early days was phenomenal. During
the four years of toil in that place he organized a
church of no less than 118 members, and an.ong these
were a number who have since taken foremo.sl posi-
tions in our ministry and educational work. Such
names as Yamanaka, Satoh and Muramatsu will ever
stand as monuments of that great work. During
ater years Dr. Macdonald has been the Superin-
tendent of our Mission, the President of the newly-
organized Japan Conference, and the beloved physician
to the grea foreign community of Tokyo especially
to say nothing of tlie abundant service gratuitously
remlered to countless numbers of native Christian^
and their fan. ie.s. No good cause lacks support with
Di Macdonald at iiand. He is still at his post, hale

Japan'''^^ ^°''^'' °^" "^""''^^^' ^° °"^' '"'''^^'^ ^"

Dr. Meacham was rewarded very speedily by seeing
souls brought to the Saviour and a living Church
established. Among the new converts was\he well-
known and highly respected Japanese gentleman. Mr.
il-bara M.P. Uns gentleman was largely instru-
mental in securing Dr. Meacham for the school in
Aumadzu and was among the first to embrace
Christianity. He became an active local preacher
an 1 has done more than any other layman to spread
the know edge of the truth among his ..wn people in
he vicinity of Numadzu. He is now the I'presen-
tative of his people in the Imperial Parliament,
and President of our A nglo= Japanese College Dr

29G

JAPAN; THE LAND OF THE MORNING.

Meacham .spent liis closing, years of „u,s.sion work in
lokyo a.s profe,S8or in our tlieolo^rjeal .school, and
to-day lives in tlie hearts of tJie leading men in our
Japanese niini.stry. Another, and even greater, me-
morial of Dr. Meaeham's work is our Anglo-Japanese
College. It was through his earnest and heart-touch-
ing appeals that the Mis.sion Board was moved to
enter upon this most noble enterprise. Only in the
day when the secrets of all hearts are revealed will it
be known really how much was involved in the
toundmg of this in.stitution.

Over in Kofu, Dr. Eby had like succes.s. Although
the suspicion, prejudice and opposition to be encoun-
tered was well-nigh appalling, yet seekers after light
and truth were there also. In one instance, a n.an
trorn a neighboring village who had been reading
a Chinese New Testament, came with ciuestions to
be answered and a heart prepared for the reception
of the truth as it is in Jesus. That man is to-day
one of our senior evangelists. So, in course of
time, the services held in the Doctor's own hired
house resulted in the formation of a Church Society
which, through many tribulations, has existed until
to-day, and has now grown so large as to become
a self-supporting Church. Dr. Eby has also had
abundant fruit of his ministry in several of his sons
in the gospel being called to the Christian ministry
After some three years' arduous toil the Doctor was
transferred to the Tokyo station, and .soon entered
upon a much wider sphere of missionary effort, which
culminated in the celebrated Meiji Kwaido lectures

;. N

ill

)n work in
ichool, and
men in our
eater, me-
3-Japanese
:art-touch-
nioved to
'Illy in the
'led will it
id in the

Although
•e encoun-
fter lig;ht
26, a man
1 reading
istions to
reception
is to-day
ourse of
vn hired
1 Society
bed until
> become
ilso had
his sons
ninistry.
ctor was
entered
t, which
lectures

SUNRISE IN SUNRISE LAND. 297

tLf 1 h-T't"' "'""''^ ''""^' ^•"'^' ^"^^'^-^^^ of very
tlioughtlu Japan.s., and did a groat deal of good in

LiiL ^itat citj ot lokvo, a centre of

pl.sl «1, ,n conjunction with tl.e Missionary .Society of
pur Clun-c n, t,,e erection of ti.e Central'TaLcrnLk
m Kongo, the clucHtional qnarter of Tokyo. Air..,!
enongh has ,,,e„ accon,pHshe,i to show tl e wisdom rf

tliat as our mission work in Ja,,a,i jrrows an.l ilovei
op. the Central Ta,,e™acle wil, L.erclse a s ^t ter'
mHuence throughout our whole Church

Toward the close of 1882. another missionary cnter-
P .»e was undertaken in connection with our Church
which has hecn as abundantly fruitful of good durin"

Mi^fs:;;':; :r ■''"'°""''- " ™" '^' "^'^ *"- "»'^

M ion . S ? '"°"°°'' ■"'»»'»"«>y of our Woman's
Missionaiy Society, arrived on the Hel.l. She immedi-

about doing what she could to help along the work of

m this preparatory work, her pure, sweet spirit all

aglow with the love of the Saviour,wasin.strumc tain
leadmg .souh, into the way of peace. Nor were these
efforts confined to those of her own sex • in let
among the first hearts touched was that of'oie who
has since become a faithful minister in connec on

IhBS "

-P !

298 japan; the land of tfik morning.

with our own Church. Miss (^irtuwll has the honor
of cstabhshin^r the e..U,I.rate,l Toy,, Eiwa Jomtkko
whicli Iia« exerci.se.1 such a wi.lr inlhi.mce over tlie
women of tiie city of Tokyo. None hut (}o,l and this
con,secrate(l missionary herself can ever know how
much tln« work cost in its ornit burden of toil
and anxiety.

The work of sub.se<,uent years nnist be briefly sum-
marized. Throu^di sunshine an.l shadow, the steadily
increasni^. band of nussionaries has toiled on and
has had abundant reward in seein^r the infant
(Jiurch grow up strong an.l h.-arty an.l the sphere of
evangelistic ertbrt constantly wid,.,.. In 1884 the
Anglo-Japanese College was inaugurated at Azabu.
in lokyo, with Dr. Cochran an,l |{. Whittington MA
in charge. The following year. th,> now sainted Alfred
Large, B.A. (who was assassinated in !8f)U byacouple
of Japanese who entered his house in the dead of the
night, probably intent on roblu>ry) joined the mission
and took his place on the coll,>ge staff; and although
the years of toil allotte,! we.v but few, yet he so
gave his life in loving servicer to the Master that his
memory lives in the hearts and liN-es of many of his
pupils.

The year 1884 also witnessed the reinforcement of
the evangelLstic staff in the pi>rson of C. T. Cocking
who gave five years of earnest service before return-
ing to resume work on the honu^ (i,>ld. In 188G a fur-
ther reinforcement of two men for the evan<relistic
and one for the school work came to hand with the
arrival of Edward Odium. F. A. Cassidy and J W

SUNRISE IN SUNRISE LAND.

the honor

Jo^^akko,

over the

il and this

:now liow

'n of toil

iefly sum-
e steadily
I on, and
le infant
sphere of
1884, the
it Azabu,
ton, M.A.,
ed Alfred
7 a couple
ad of the
e mission
although
'et he so
• that his
ly of his

3ment of
Cocking,
5 return-
B6, a fur-
ngelistic
vitli the
d J. W.

299

Saunby. For sonic years, through the exigencies of
the work, Kofu and Shi.l/uoka stations had been
lelt vacant m Far as a fcjreign missionary was con-
cerned, but now again the way opened up for one to
be supplied eacli of these places. J\Ir. Ca.ssidy was
acconlingly appointed to Shid/uoka, and Mr. Saunby
to Kofu, and, as a result, the work took an advanced
step forward, until now it is safe to .say that tiiere
are no two prefectures in the whole country more
thoroughly worke.l for Christ than those of which
Shidzuoka and Kofu are the capitals. Not only has
every town of importance been occupied, l)ut the
Gospel has been carried to the villagers and even to
the farmers out in the open country.
^ The lady missionaries of the Wonum's Missionary
Society have nobly seconded the efforts of the
agents of the parent Society. In course of time
flourishing girls' .schools were opened in both Shid-
zuoka and Kofu and evangelistic effort was begun
among the Avonien of these cities with oncoura-riuL^
results. " ^

The next mile-post of progress in the history of the
mis.sion was the organizing of the Japan District of
the Toronto Conference into a separate Conference
in the year 1889. For this purpo.se. as well as to
become more intimately accpiainted with this foreign
field, Dr. Sutherhmd, our esteemed Missionary Secre-
tary, visited Japan and spent several weeks in a
thorough examination into all the affairs of the mis-
sion. This event was one of supreme satisfaction to
our entire Japanese Church. Large crowds greeted

^APAN, THE LAND OF i FTE MORNINO.

the Doctor Whrlnvf^r Ur wont .o preach •• lecture
and H new nnpetu« .was ^nvon to the work.

At the time of the visit of the (Jetieral Secretarv it
was fo.m.l that tiie place was too strait for us ai.l
tiiat the tnne ha.l e.aue for enlarnin^M,ur territory l.y
pushing,, out into the rc^^nons bey<.n.l. For this pu/-
pose Na^roya an.l Kyoto were visited, hut it wrvs
thou^rht a.lvisable to exten.l our mission, not in the
direction of these two cities, but rather straight west
across the island to the Japan Sea. Aceor<lino-|y Mr
Saunby m.is set apart for this new exodus, and 'in a
short tune was settled in the city of Kanazawa, on
th.. ^vest coast of the main islan.l. Mission stations
hav. ,nice been opened at Na^^ano, Fukui and Toyama
and now still another is bein«- opened in NiipUa All
these are populous cities surrounded by provinces
teerninjr with millions of people, the greater part of
whom have never yet heard the sound of the Gospel
Out amon^r these we are pushino- our way by the
means of Japanese preachers and evan^^elists; and
already the harvest is at hand. This, of course has
meant a large reinforcement of our staff of foreimi
missionaries, ai.[ glad have the older nunnhevs
ot the mission been to welcome Messrs. Dunlop
Crummy. McKenzie and Elliott, all of whom came out
to Japan on the self-supporting plan, and did splendid
service in the Government schools, and were ready to
hand when the mission had need. The saddest thihcr
about our mission ..vo,-k. however, is that through ill
health so many are . ..e-l to relinquish their loved
employ and return co . • i.om. .and again; but still

■ lecture,

!retarv, it
r us, nnd
fitory by
his pur-

' it WHS

•t in tiio
L^lit west
i^'ly, Mr.
!ui(l iti a
'Aiwii, on

Htation.s
loyania,
i(n All
rovinces

part of

Gospel.

by the
ts ; and
I'se, has
foreifjn
lenibers
3unlop,
me out
olendid
!ady to
fc thing
ugh ill
• loved
ut still

SUNRISE IN SUNUISK LAND.

.SOI

tho Master oarri,.s on Ifis work and will not sufter His
caus,, to hul of its niagniHcnt purpose.

The la.ly nussionari.s of the Wonmn's Missionary
^oe.ety aiHo nre pr-.secuting their work with great
energy. Already they have a strong station on the
west roast at Kanaxawa, where nnieh goo.l is heini:
aceon.phshed. No one but the Great Head of the
Clnn-eh can adequately ostinmte the vast a.nount of
good that IS ben.g aecon.plished by these consecrated
women.

A word concerning the distribution of the whole
Methodist loree operating in .Japan n.ust close this
scan y narrative. Three other Metho.list bodies
h.s,do the two already mentioned have also been
estabhshed during later years, all from the United
States. I he hr,st of these to come was the mission of
the Evangehcal Association, which has established its
headquarters in Tokyo, and has been working out
from that centre into the adjacent provinces? and
luis succeeded in winning hundreds of souls for the
Master. 1 he next in order is a small n.ission called
the Metho.hs Protestant, which has a school and a
church ^n Yokohama and Nagoya respectivelv, and
also a nnss.on staticm in Shidzuoka. This mission
a so .us had its share of success in leading men into
the hght of God. But by far the strongest of these
was the last to appear on the scene. We refer to the
mission of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.
This nns,sion chose its territory in Japan very wisely.
It made Kobe its headquarters, and while founding a
school there, began evangelistic operations around the

302

JAPAN ; THE LAND OF THE" MORNING.

ill

shores of the famous Inland Sea. It has tlius filled up
the gap remaining- between the Methodist work of
the south and that of the centre, beginning at Nagoya.
There i.s now an almost continuous chain of xMethodist
stations all the way from one end to the other of the
mam island. But the crying need is for union. We
want not five Methodist Churches, but one, in order
to make ourselves felt as are the great Congregational
and Presbyterian Churches. May the Great Head of
the Church mcline the hearts of the churches at home
to grant the earnest request of their missionaries in
Japan and prepare the way for such a union '

The numerical strength of the Japan Conference
of the Canadian Church is twenty-eight native min-
isters and probationers, twenty-four circuits and
stations, and a membership of 1,981. The five bodies
of Methodism have a total meml)ership of upwards of
seven thousand; but the latest statistics, we regret to
say, are not to hand.

Concerning the final outcome of this grand mission-
ary movement in the Land of the Rising Sun. there can
be no doubt. The fortress of Gospel Truth has sunk
her foundations and reared her battlements so firmly
that the gates of hell can never prevail against her.
The Sun of Righteousness, no more than the old king
of the natural day, never retraces its steps down the
eastern sky. Storm clouds may hide the face of the
sun, but It is there all the same; and so the shadows
will disperse, the mists clear away, and the new day
that knows no eventide fill the whole land with light
and blessedness.

US filled up
^t work of
at Nag'oj'a.
' Methodist
her of tiie
nion. We
0, in order
;ref]jational
t Head of
3s at home
onaries in
II !

'onference
itive min-
iuits and
ive bodies
awards of
regret to

mission-
there can
has sunk
io firmly
linst her.
old king
own the
ce of tlie
shadows
lew day
ith light