The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-11-02
Glimpses of the Old Japan
UIUID DESCRIPTIONS IN II MANU-.
SCRIPT 200 YEARS OLD ~

Writers on Japan tell US that Old Japan
10 entirely disappearing few glifnpses
OF the time when the country was almost
a hermit nation with only oriental ideas ana
no, n sinpl. interes. to connect il with the
world AZ large may still Toe obtained IN out
of the way hooks and corners, but the in
vasion Of railroads, the planting oil modern
schools all over the empire and the awaken
ing Of the twentieth century spirit oil COM
merce and industrial enterprise are destroy
ing every vesiigc Of the deeper things OF
life tina, made the old Japan what 1t was.
Under these circumstance, just as the old
civilization is forever passing away. II IL
gratifying TO say that rich contribution
tn the literature of old Japan has been
brought to light and translated into English.
Il Ia a manuscript that was written strictly
for the family Of the author; IL was never
published till few years ago and appeared
In English only last month.
IL was written by Arai Hakuseki, "A scholar,
pbet, historian, economist. moralist and
statesman, who wrote many books and left
many unpublished manuscripts in his desk
Il is an account Of his life and gives fairly
complete story of his family, youth, educa-
ton. early struggles, and his later Sue
VNcSeF mDois III WIG NNN'N ~ ''' '''O
guns,
The Shoguns were the generals in chief OF
the Japanese army who as is well known.
for several centuries practically superseded
the Mikados of Japan in ruling the country
and cont inued to hold this supremacy in the
Government until 1873.
Arai's story has it's value as giving us
perhaps the most vivid picture Of old
~ nj
Japan and not the fancied land Of travel
lers and poes'and foreigners. DR.. G. W.
Knox OF the Union Theological Seminary
OF this city, who made the English trans
lation, SAYS that il would possibly be dif-
fcult TO match this work az bit Of history
and as giving an insight into the centre
OF japanese life and power.
The translation is published In the
Transactions ~ the Asiatic Society Of
japan, Vol XXX Part II which was issued
at Toxic las, month. Throughout the mar
rative there is no reference whatever TO
any foreign nations except China and
Corea and one or two illusions 10 the Dutch
who had long been permitted 70 carry on
restricted trade in the port Of Nagasaki
The purpose Of this article is to give a
few Characteristic extracts from the mar
rative which Arai began 10 write in i7io
A. D.. the year after he had retired from
his official position at the age Of 90 and 10
summarize some of his reforms which
throw light on the Government and people
OF Japan in the early part Of the eighteenth
century
His fat her was born in IsO? and was 81
at the birth of Arai. Fathers youth,
he says, was passed in the period soon
after the wars whore men were chivalrous
and righteous, very different from now.
He wandered about until ne was IL wears
old and then found employment with the
Minister in charge Of embankments on his
est ates across the hav from Toxic
Arai gives an idea Of the quality OF his
father by telling this story. Three foot
soldiers who were accused Of murder and
confined in the narrow room above tho
gate were put in his charge. He accepted
this Hposition on condition that the
swords of the men be returned TO them;
and when this was done he said If you
escape, cut on my head and take 1t with
you cannot fight three men My
sword is useless
$50 he wrapped his sword In long strip
Of cloth and put it aside. He slept and ate
acquitted but we're dismissed from the
service as thcy had suffered in reputation.
When leaving they said to father
II was shameful that three Of us were
put in charge Of one man, and we pro-
posed to show our strength But when
you put your sword aside we felt our shame
would be increased should we kill an I'M
armed man, Your Kindness has taken
.L-h
your sympathy"
Soon after this his father was promoted
and gradually rose to- the Office Of censor.
Here is what Arai has TO say abou, his
fathers routine:
Fathers life followed a strict and unin-
terrupted routine, He awoke nt the tiger
hour IA A. N bathed in cold water and
dressed his own hair. In very cold vslther
mother wished him TO use warm water,
but he would not as II would make the
servants trouble When he was ,past
TO- fire was kept in the foot warmer at night,
for mother suffered from the cold, and as
water could be heated there without trouble
to any one, he used hot water
'Father and mother we're Buddhists
and after their baths put on their special
garments and worshpped the Buddhas.
When they awakened before dawn they
sst up in bed and silently waited for day.
When II was light enough to see they rose
Il never saw father surprised, amazed
or lacking in self-control When OF duty
he cleaned his room, hung up some ancient
painting arranged few flowers of the
season and sat silent all day or painted
pictures.
when well he aid not have servants wait