Smyrna times., 1860-05-31
Japanese Education, Arts, Sciences and
RELIGIONS.

that the people are in advance of their iRstitu-
Tons; that the public opinion of the present
day 10 more enlightened than that of former
generations. Education has gradually driven
out the gross superstitons Of established creeds,
and 1t has become something like national
system; and Meylan states that the children of
both sexes, and of all ranks, are invariably
sent 10 rudimentary schools; but he does not
say whether they are supported by the State
or not. Reading and writing are universal,
even among the lowest ranks in Japan. Collie
ges and Academies are well patronizsd in all
the principal towns throughout the empire
Immense numbers of cheap easy books, design
ed for the instruction of children and poor peo-
pie, are continually issuing from the press
Books OF higher order are produced for the
rich and better misunderstanding being a ia.
vorite occupation with both sexes. The city
OF Mikado appears TO be the great literary me-
tropols of Japan, and the residence of the lit
erati. The libraries at Meako and Yedo have
been stated 10 contain at least 900 volumes.
At both these places, and at Nagasaki unyer-
sites are established, where knowledge of all
kinds Is impaired to students. Pere Charlevoix
says, that as early as 1880, in the time of Xa.
Vler, there were four academies near Meako,
at each of which nearly four thousand pupils
were afforded education. Near the city of
Bandone, still greater numbers were instructed.
Female education is extensively prosecuted, as
the wife is expected to entertain her husband
in his hours of leisure by her accomplishments,
and charm him by the vvacity of her manners.
Some of the most esteemed writings in Japan.
ese literature are by authoresses. In mathe-
matcs the Japanese are sufficiently skilful to
have made good maps of the empire, and many
of their mountains have been measured By them
with the barometer. Several astronomical
works have been translated into their language
and studied with assiduity. Telescopes and
other instruments of observation have been
manufactured from European models with much
j success.
In several branches of the fine arts the ia
panese are considerably advanced. They are
ignorant of anatonay and perspective, and,
therefore, backward in sculptures and land.
scapes, but in the representation of a single OBJ
Ject, they manifest great accuracy of detail and
a truthful adherence to nature.
As an art, architecture among them is sadly
derogatory-their temples, private houses and
palaces being all low and temporary structures
of wood. The little care bestowed upon their
buildings, however, is attributed to the frequent
earthquakes. They are exceedingly fond OF
music, which is of peculiarity harsh to Anne.
rican and European ears. In casting, making
of bas-reliefs, and printing from wooden blocks,
, they are well Versed, and recently engraving
on copper has been introduced and prosecuted
with success. In. the working of jewslry they
exercise meretriciuus taste.
? Their medical knowledge is very imperfect
Q but the native physicians display great eager
q ness TO acquire professional information from
8 Europeans. Original medical works frequently
= appear, and also translations from the Dutch
8 In medical botany they are especially jealous
and evince considerable knowledge of the vir.
tues of plants. They are acquainted with some
n powerful drugs-one, the celebrated Dosia
powder, having the effect of relaxing the stiff;
j. ness of the limbs after DEATH That this result
e is invariably attained by the application of the
e specific is undoubted in Europe, but the cause
y of the phenomenon is theme of wonderment
The law of japan established two religions
one the primitive Sin-Syu, (Ihe gods worship,
i which seems peculiar to the country, and tn,
= worship of Buddha, which has spread tnroug Oh
out Asia, varying its,tenets to certain exten
in different climes, and numbering three hun
dred aud twenty millions of votaries. 1t j
l. said to have been first introduced into Japan A
d., 63, but to have made very little progress
VI until the sixth century. Com. Perry state
~ that the dogmas of Sin-Syu are mixed up wit
10 cosmogony, and although its adherents uener
ate about FIVE hundred gods and FIVE thousan
+ apotheosizsd heroes, yet they worship only on
at Supreme Deity. the San Goddess, Tsn-sio-dis
= sin. Their moral doctrines are purity of hear
and cleanliness of body, tested by various cul
I'd toms Of penance. The hierarchy of Sin-Sy
tn consist of the Miksdo, two Ecclesiastict
rs Judges, and monks and priests, the latter bein
married and the Office lucrative and hereditar,
NJ OF the two principal religions, it would appes
Ill there are many .sects. Liberty of conscienc
n so far as it does not interfere with the interest
ia. ofthe government or effect the peace and irar
quillity of the Empire, has been at all times a
II. lowed. II was on political, and not religion
ly, grounds, that Christianity was expelled. Ever
M citizen has a right 70 profess what faith
ed pIsases, and TO change it often. No one car
% whether he does so frotn conviction or from r
es. gard to interest. Tho making of proselyte
90 however, is forbidden by law. Not only is al
NO belief tolerated, but oven the absence of Z
Of belief. The Asiatic Journal for 1880, Civ
md numerous illustrations of this federation, al
ew some valuable information of japanese rsligio
creeds.
ars IT is said here, and upon the best authoriI
h.. In the ala trada il Assuming nd /.