The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1885-02-23

n AdllNG VI IALo BAOfAASOS a OAAAAotAOA4
Chinese doubtless a descendant of the
early Christians converted by the Japanese,
and perhaps with Japanese blood in his
veins), is at present the Governor of
Kashgar, and in 1879 entertained right
royalty Captain Bridges, personal friend
of some of US, formerly of the 18th British
Huzzars, Hayley's glorious command
which, with others of the famous Light
Brigade-the 600 heroes who rushed to
death at Balaclava-one of wars SAD
ton and bravery for all time.
Into the jaws of death,
Into the gates of hell,
Rode the 6oO,'
world stands that wonderful charge, those
heroic deaths will be remembered with
| awe and admiration by all civilized hu-
mainly.
| But to return to our subject. During
| the fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth
centuries, the Japanese were a restless
and migratory race. Their tradal con-
nections also with China and Corea were
very important.
The culture of silk, tea, and lice, and
most of the arts of Japan, were learned
from those countries. Marcopolo first
heard, in China, of Cipango-the Chinese
rendering of Nihon or Nippon-as the
Japanese named their islam d empire.
Emigration ceased from Japan in the
beginning Of the seventeenth century,
when the despotic decr rec of Iyeyastu),
the first Tokugawa Shotgun, or Tycoon,
closed the Empire against the outer world.
The Shotgun or Tycoon, it is proper to
say, was never the Emperor. He was the
military chieftain who commanded the
Imperial armies, and who gradually
usurped power, and came in fact to rule
the empire. He always assumed to act
under the orders or for the best interests
of the Mikado.
He was sometimes overthrown by some
more skillful or powerful soldier, who
thereupon assumed his Office and author
ity.
The Tycoon who was in power at the
revolution, is still living in retirement IL
the country, pensioner of the Govern
: ment.
There were never two Emperors-a re-
Iigious and civic one-as sometimes erro-
neously stated. The Mikado was ever
held in the utmost awe and reverence as &
descendant of the Gods.
His life was Swallowed in the greatest
mystery and he never went from his
palace except enclosed in huge stump
tuous car, surrounded by blinds, mounted
on enormous wheels, with no springs, ant
: drawn by bullocks.
3 He was seldom permitted to be seen
except by his own immediate family ant
court.
: The common people could not gaze
upon his radiant countenance and live.
When his car approached all forms
were Frustrated in the dust, and no eye
, was raised until the brilliant cortege hat
passed out of sight.
2 Now we have changed all this. Nov
: His Majesty visits everywhere where it il
} thought his presence-may prove of bene6
to his people or where healthful anC
manly amusement may be afforded him
self. He goes among his subjects mucl
more frequently and freely than many con
stitutional sovereigns, and seems thor
E oughly to enjoy his freedom from con
o | straint.
Iyeyasu wss a man who left his i'm
n press of genius and governing power upol
: Japan for centuries. He framed and es
+ tablished a written constitution, AM
G created feudal system which lasted from
o early in the seventeenth century until tn
v great revolution of 1868, to which I hav
n referred, and backed their enforcement
: with vast army, some 10000 beinl
+ stationed at Toxic alone. This constitu
q ton has been historically named b
# Lowell, and is known to scholars as tn
2 "Legacy of Iyeyasu. y
e The decree thus isolating Japan wa
It promulgated, and the prosecutions o
Christians, were caused by the fear an
hatred entertained by the great chieftai
e and his followers, of the political intrigue
of the missionaries of both the Roman
and Protestant churches then in Japal
and their converts. OF the existence O
g these intrigues there can be no question
n Proof of the most overwhelming charac
3, ter is produceable, showing various we
g defined and which might have develope
l. into powerful efforts to change the Gov
lie eminent and establish by force the Chris
lie tan religion. The exclusion, therefore
l. was political rather than religious, an
}, the prosecutions were melted by hatred c
the men and measures then employed i
st pushing Christianity, rather than of Chris
in tianity itself. The decree was promul
es gated, if my memory serves me, about tn
E. year 1920. 1t might have been littl
lg earlier. What strange historical con
Y, trast is afforded by two important event:
y then almost if not quite Simultaneous
Of occurring on opposite sides of the globe
In the East Japan warning off the nation
d, and wrapping herself in the self-satisfaC
of ton of blind and despotic power. In tn
is West pilgrims from across the stormy sc
ne iaOdino upop PIvpooufI, ROoI- oD5 for,