New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-11-17

SEAS AND LANDS by Sir Edwin Arnold sx a.
X. {. T. E., 9. 5. !. With ILLUSTRATIONS eVo'
PIP. $50. Longmans, Green & Co.
Sir Edwin Arnold might have chosen a somewhat
more expressive title than that Of Seas and Lands
for this does not suggest what is by far the most
delightful and also the most vouminous part OF his
book namely, the account Of his visit to and residence
In Japan. The sketch OF his journey from England
to Canada ana through the Dominion and the Unltcd
States TO san Francisco is not without Its own IN
terest but il is kind Of work which has been dene
often that II Is longer possible to say anything
fresh about il. II may perhaps be said thai
japan, too, has been overwrlttcn. but In the hrst
place this is not the fact and In the second place IL
Is impossible to have too many intelligent opinions
upon Of the most interesting peoples and lands
under the Sir Edwin Arnold moreover, was
especially equipped for the undertaking by an ex-
tensivc knowledge Of Oriental life religion ana
philosophy We have thus in his descriptions all the
charm Of an admirable prose style. ennched by
sympathy and insight such as few II any FORMER
Western travellers to Japan have possessed.
1t is almost matter of course that man
like Sir Edwin should be deeply impressed by the
japanese, for their qualities virtues and graces are
such as TO appeal with peculiar force to temperament
like that Of the author OF the Light Of ASIA In fact
too the japanese, though their prevailing religion Is
docirnally corrupt are in many important respects
IDEAL Buddhsts. Gentleness and amsblity racial
qualities with them, and though they have been re-
nowned warriors, 1t is almost easier TO imagine
Japanese Arjuna disputlng with Krchna upon the
ethics of battle than to conceive OF an Indian Prince
taking that position, represented In the Bagaved
Gita
Sir Edwin looks deep. moreover. One Of the first
questions he to have asked himself was as to
the source Of the really high civilization which appears
even among the humblest classes in Japan. Whence
the artistic sense which may truly be said to
have become national INSTINCT Whence the love Of
flowers of all the beauties Of nature which IS not less
natonali Whence tho high standard OF thought. OF
purity Of refinement which characterizes the poetry
Of Jspani "Nowhere," says II. B. Chamberlain. in
his Classical Poetry Of the Jspanese' ado we come
across q low word vulgar thought Even The men
ton Of low people and things seems prohibited.
Japanese verse, in unchangng and natural melody,
dwels on the simple themes common TO all mankind
love. hope, regrets. loyalty old traditions, and The
transformers Of human life" And how is that every
japanese has taste in art knows the value Of
simplicity in decoration; prefers and viii have, no
matter how cheap material, beauty and grace of form
and outline in the humblest furniture the common
pots and pans of the household No such universal
feeling Of art such national sesthetcism. exists
elsewhere, or has existed among the Greeks.
1t is simple truism to say that in the schools Of
design, which they have especially cultivated Japanese
art to-day leads the world Yet the world until very
recently regarded this wonderful people barbarans
and nations only superior to the japanese in
physical force seek with the faulty born of nornate
seh-concet to tutor and to improve the most refined
and gentle OF races.
No doubt the national cult of tea has something to
do with the general result; something, but perhaps
very much for the Chinese are teadrlnkers vet have
little nothing Of the japanese virtues. Sir Edwin
indeed, appears TO think otherwise for speaking Of
the famous Tsikoon liideyosm who to say, ritual
lied tho tea cult. he says Ills great mind that
IL he could give Japan national and tranquil habit
easy Of practice for the and attractive TO the rc
lie would do much to sheathe the sword and harmonic
his people; and SO 1t has turned out. Never in truth
had statesman's subtle device such grand
Tho teacup have said. is to-day the central fact
OF this fair and gentle land II decides the arehi-
lecture binds together the societies. refreshes the
fatigue and rewards the days work OF high and low
in Japan. The perspiring jnrikishaw man is salts
fed with the warm infusion; the Minister and the
MiEado himself are only happy when the honorable
tea" exhaes its delicate fragrance from the hands of the
kneelng musume And there are little gracious
monies about the most ordinary teadrinking in
humblest houses which everywhere elevate it above
q mere beverage. Good mannrs in japan prescribe
q sort of soft solemnty whenever the little cup is
being filled, and hut is lowly but its kettle its
teapot and its tcaequipage display something about
them of distinction taste and the love of chaste
and perfect art
The Cha-no-yu. which Sir Edwin describes. is sort
Of ceremonial tea-drinking elevated by the solemnty
Of the observance almost to the plane of religious
rite Every least detail is fixed By tradition, and no
point must be omitted. The account is too long for
transcription, but the author observes in conclusion
"At glance 1t will be how imperiously these
elegant ceremonies once established and received have
dictated to Japan the pure simplicity of her ceramic
and metal work. and how they have passed down into
all ranks Of the people. constituting a standard of
sweet and simple and Of high-bred tastes
which they were quicker to accept than any other
nation" Quicker TO accept Yes, but why? What
follows does not solve the mystery "Pcraps nowhere
oSsih
for the great Hdeyos and the astute Sou noriku to
have iudoctiinated q whole people with pure and
refined passion. But the commoncst japanese have
this charming tendency TO delicate sobrety Of ap-
petite aud taste they love the touch Of art which
elevatcs, the glimpse Of grace which dgnifeS. They
have the nature rather Of birds and butterflies than
of ordinary human beings, and whel you send out to
your Kurumaya cup OF tea ana a saucer Of
boiled rice and hear afterward his grateful words
you wonder whether lie is of the race
as that which you left quafing haand half and eat
Ing rumpsteals the banks Of the Thames. OF course
the austere etiquette Of the Chanoyu IS special but
its spirit the central ceremony of teadrnking has
palpably passed through all Japan. where everything
begins and ends With the 'taorlbn' and the tea-cup.
Nor is 1t too much TO declare that 10 Buddhism which
brought in her religious IDEAS the tca-leaf and to
Hdeyoshi who taught her how to honor. enjoy. and
lnforce II, is due much If not most of the existing
aspect Of social and civic japan"
Sir Edwin has capital descriptions Of various japanese
meals, done most realistically and with q sympathy
which gives wonderful charm to his pages We must
also say word for the illustrations which are photo
graveurs. and all excellent. These display quite q
gallery OF japanese grace aud comclipess and exhibit
the Japenese girl and of al classes in every
form OF the national costumes. Sir Edwin per
nbted u take japanese house set up regular
native establishment and his opportunities for acQur
ing social and political information were exceptionally
good. He has certainly made the most of them in this
book, which goes far deeper into Japanese life and
character than had previously been ventured which
Is thoroughly charming, genial and appreciatve from
first TO last.