Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-07-11
Our knowledge of Jap.u.


The present relations of this country with
Japan and the japanese people ought to bring
us an accurate and thorough knowledge of that
important portion Of Eastern Asia, 1t has
strongly engaged the attention of our people,
but there is need of more exact knowledge of
the country and its civilization. Something is
known of its manufactures, and something of
its people through acquaintance with the Japan
ese embassies which have visited the United
States, and the Japanese students educated in
our schools. A few persons know something of
Japanese art, which is the topic of one of the
fifteen chapters of the cart Thoughts" of Mr.
Jarves, who had studied it in the volumes of a
splendidly illustrated work, of great antiquity,
and in colored albums of landscapes, figures,
costumes, and incidents national and domestic,
which are carefully preserved at Paris Mr.
Jaryes finds the drawings and paintings re-
markabe as specimens of art, and thinks it
manifest that one of the japanese artists fur
nished effective hints" by which Gustavo Dore
has profited. Nothing equal TO them, nothing
indeed, that may be compared with them, has
ever been produced in China Nevertheless,
this art critic, while describing and admiring
N-~-'j NNa'H'saSaetpiS
formation concerning the social customs and
condition of the japanese people.
"fhe Japanese in America" book published
recently under the editorial supervision of
Charles Lanman, aims TO make our people bet
ter acquainted with Japan and the Japanese. Ii
is, however, confined wholly to an account of
the present embassy, and illustrations of the in
tellectual brightness and force of the represent
atiyes of Japan, who have studied in this conn
try and learned to write English. There are
some fourteen specimens of English writing on
different topics, by japanese students They
Show that these students have no lack of intel
lectual capacity, and are able to acquit them
selves with great credit, at school exhibit
tions. Some of the topics relate to Japan;
- they are not of much Importance
save as the English writing exercises of
young natives of that country. The book con
tains, also, an essay on Life and Resources in
America, written by Mr.. Mor the japanese
minister at Washington, for publication in
Japan. As an account of this country il has
noticeable defects and inaccuracies; but the
people for whom it is written will find it useful,
although, in this country, 1t can be useful only
as a means of studying the intelligence and
mental activity of its japanese author. The
book adds nothing to what is generally known;
but ii will do something TO extend among our
people a knowledge of the representatives of
Japan now IN this country, and Of their capacity
for civilization and intellectual work.
What we most need to know of that country
and its people, might be furnished by transla.
ting some of the more important portions of the
Japanese literature This literature is extensive:
and, as means OF acquiring a more accurate
and trustworthy Knowledge of the history,
thought, and social life OF the Japanese, il is i'm.
portant. Ii can show us more exactly what they
are and what they have been, as civilized peo-
pie. tits likely that Japanese novels and plays
would not be popular in this country; but there
are many for whom they would have great in
terest, on account Of the life, customs, aud
peculiarihes OF civilization portrayed in
them. Still more important ia the
historical literature of Japan 1t goes
back more than six hundred years beyond the
Christian era, very nearly to the beginning OF
the empire, which was established by an inva-
sion of Mongols, who subjugated and occupied
the island Of kiusiu, in the seventh century be-
fore Christ. The history Of an empire whose
beginning is nearly as old as the beginning of
Rome, and which was never more vigorous or
more sure Of long future than 1t is to-day,
would repay careful study, ii our relations with
Japan were different; but, considering that ac-
curate knowledge Of Japan is becoming of spe-
cial Importance 10 us, we ought to have facili.
ties for studying the history Of that country, as
we siudy the history of England or France or
Germany.
Therefore, some Of the intelligent and capable
Japasese scholars who have become masters
Of the English language, can do their own
people, as well as ours, an important service
by making careful translations from the best
literature Of their country and, especially, from
its historical literature. Such translations
would be something new ia the book market
something which would be fresh and attractiy,
TO intelligent readers; aud they would give u,
acknowledge Of Japan such Us travellers can no
acquire. The literary development Of Japar
appears to be as old as the empire itself, an,
must have grown out Of that of the Coreai
Mongols bywhom the beginning Of whatwe know
as Japan was established IN the island OF Kiusu
but the Japanese race aud Language, as they ex
list at present, are due 10 a mixture Of thes
Mongols with the original inhabitants of m,
Islands. The illustrated work IL nine great vol