Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-04-27

he would enjoy far better, being the chief couns
sellor OF the emperor, the head of the army of
Japan, than to be prince of small province in
the little island of KiusIu.
The breaking down of the barriers between
the different classes in society opened possible
future of rapid advancement, which made many
samourai willingly yield his regular pension
as retainer of prince, in the hope that he
might secure better prospect, which he thought
| he saw held out before him. For example. a
few years ago there was young samourai, of
very low rank by birth, who in some way gained
the favor of his master, and somewhat later,
by his intelligence, that of his prince also. After
this he managed to pick up very good knowl-
edge of English, and his rapid advancement was
made sure. He held the position of governor
of the port of Hiogo, and was afterwards APP
pointed to the finance department of the inn
perial government as second minister, believe.
He is now prominent member of the embassy
to the United States and Europe
1t is said that two or three years ago, after
he had obtained his appointment in the govern
ment at YedO, he visited his native province,
and on one occasion, when he happened to meet
his prince, while riding on horseback, he re.
fused to diSmount, as it was then the custom of
the country that every man should do on meet.
ing one of superior rank. This gave great
offence, and he was asked for an explanation.
He stoutly denied that there was any such
difference in rank as was supposed; for, he
said, as the emperor'S minister he was the peer
of any daimio, and farther than that, represent
ing, as he did, the emperor, it would be improper
for him to yield such a point of etiquette,
for it concerned the dignity of the emperor as
well as his own, and he had his way.
This man was Ito ShinSki, formerly a retainer
of.the prince of Choshu, and while he may have
been singularly fortunate, yet there is hardly
province in Japan which can not furnish ex-
amples similar to this, of men who, from COM
parative O6Scurity, have rapidly risen to posi-
tons of great power. With such examples be-
fore them, it is not strange that multitudes in
the soldier class have been stimulated to seek
an education which shall enable them to pursue
an equally brilliant career.
] see it stated in an American paper that the
mikado has .dlSestablished his state church.
This is as far as possible from being true. Shin
tooism has from antiquity been the state reli-
gion, SO far as the mikado is concerned, though
it is true the tycoons helped to build up Budd-
hism. TIE latter may date its separation from
the state with the overthrow of the late tycoon,
but now the government sustains very differ
ent relation to it than that of non-interlerence
Its face is set against this foreign religion, and
the purpose to root it out of this land is strong
in the minds of the present rulers of Japan.
No temple can be built or even repaired with
out the consent of the civil authorities, ror can
any student for the priesthood be received with
out permission from the same quarter
Not long since all the street shrineS of the
Buddhists were ordered to be removed from the
streets of Kiyoto, and new ceremonial for
ceremony, in the same city.
On account of the attitude OF the government
numbers of temples have been abandoned, and
an immense amount of bronze from these tenn
Piles, chiefly bells, is finding its way into foreign
hands.
We hear that sixty-fve native Christians,
heads of families, who were arrested near Nag
asaki last December, have been restored to their
homes We hope this means that religious
liberty will soon be decreed; but, until we hear
also of the release of those seized two and half
years ago, near the same place, we shall not be
over sanguine. The impression seems to be
gaining ground, however, among the Japanese
as well as among foreigners, that the revision
of the treaties next winter will be the signal for
the repeal of the odious laws against Christiani-
ty. KTYosHI.