The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-11-04

Tha ReaI .Iapanese.

We are indebted TO Messrs. Houehton. Mih1in
& Co. for a singularly timely and useful pub
location, Gltmpses Of U%nfdnftdr Japan, by
LAFoADIo HRARN. Few men could be better
qualified than IL the author in respect Of apti-
tudes. abilities, and opportunities, 20 discuss the
subject. He IL At once a scholar and an artist,
and one must needs be both TO interpret the
Japanese. In the capacity of teacher, he dwelt
for more than four years among the people, and
this book, which has no rival in It's field. demon
strates that his sojourn was exceptionally fruit
full. One should understand Mt the outset that
IL Is not the primary aim OF the author 20 dis
cuss the educated classes of new Japan. In
them there Is but little novelty, outside Of the
closeness with which they have assimilated
European ideas. Mr.. Hearn does but concur
with other observers when he says that, except
as regards a characteristic Indifference to-
ward ABSTRACT ideas in general and meta
physical speculation in particular. the
occldentalized japanese OF to-day stands
almost on the intellectual plane Of the culti-
waited Partisan or Bostonian. Not in the Euro
peanized circles OF the country is to he found the
rare and distinctive charm Of japanese life. That
must be sought for among the great mass Of the
common people. who represent the national vir-
tues, and who still cling to their old customs, their
picturesque dresses. their Buddhist images, their
household shrines. their beautiful and touching
W0ThT1ID VI bI'tNNpTNs IUlH IN NHt II VI nlCn
a foreign observer never wearies. the life that
forces him. at times, to doubt whether the
course OF Western progress Is really in the di-
rection Of moral development. The author of
this book assures US that each day, as years rolled
on. there was revealed TO him some unsuspected
beauty In IL. No doubt. like other lives. II has
its darker side, but even this Is described as
brightness compared with the darker side Of
Western existence. II has its foibles. follies.
.la-. --l .N H. 5000 -aA .-Aa - IA
the more one marvels at Its extraordinary good
ness. miraculous patience, never-failing courte-
sIcs, simplicity Of heart. and %intuitive charity.
How much the lighter and kindlier superstitions
of the people add TO tho attractiveness Of life in
Japan can. IL IL said. be understood only by one
who has long resided in the interior. A few of
their beliefs are sinister, such as that In demon
foxes: but a large number are compared for
beauty of fancy to those Greek myths in which
tho European poets of to-day still find inspira-
and many others, which encourage kind
ness to the unfortunate and kindness to ami
mails, can never have produced any but the
moral results. The amusing presump-
of domestic animals In Japan and the com
p~arative fearlessness of many wild creatures in
he presence OF man: the white clouds Of gulls
hat hover about each incoming steamer, in ex-
pectation Of an aims OF crumbs: the whirring
ot doves from temple caves to pick up
ne rlCe SCATTERED lot them ny plRrlmS'
the familiar storks Of ancient public gar
lens; the deer Of holy shrines awaiting
axes and caresses: the fish which raise
heir heads from sacred lotos ponds when
he strangers shadow falls upon the water:
.hese and a hundred other pretty sights
ire ascribed to fancies which, though called SUI
inculcate in the simplest form tbs
ubllme truth Of the unity Of life. After living
our years in the country, Mr.. Hearn anlrms
hat, except where native morals have suffered
" foreign contamination, as in the open ports.
he words are still true Of the Japanese which
we're penned by Kaempfer more than 100 years
go: "In the practice of virtue, in purity of life
nd outward devotion, they far Guido the Chris
The authors own conviction is, and il
grees with that Of many impartial and expe-
observers, that Japan has nothing to
ain by conversion to Christianity. either moral.
! or otherwise, but very IN uch to lose.