The San Francisco call., 1904-11-13
Book About Japan
REARN'S

Hearn, deserves TO be ranked
among the most noteworthy
publications OF the year. Here
in the author has devoted twenty-five
chapters 10 a careful psychological
analysis Of the japanese racial charac-
teristics, the origin OF the same and
their various manifestation in the art,
religion and social phenomena Of the
country. Though Hearn had established
himself as an idealist in matters Japa-
nese by his previous works on the land
OF the chrysanthemum, in the writing
Of this book he chose 10 strip aside all
mantles Of the romantic and idyIlic and
10 make his estimate Of the japanese
people one founded strictly upon scien-
tifc exposition He has produced as a
result of this attitude what is probably
a more nearly authentic appreciation OF
the many subtleties OF the Mikado's
people than any yet attempted by an
Occidental.
The near approach to the very es-
sence Of japanese life and character
which Hesrn had enjoyed for eighteen
years previous TO his death was calcu-
lated certainly TO give his estimate Of
these things the measure Of authority.
A naturalized subject OF the Mikado
was he. head OF the department Of Eng
hsh literature at the Imperial Univer-
sity and the husband OF a japanese
lady. AS previous works show, Hearn
was the intimate Of many Of Japan's
leading spirits, he took an active part
in the literary and artistic activities Of
his circle, and as nearly as it was pos
sible for one Of the West TO do he be-
came in spirit and thought japanese.
We may believe, then. that there have
been few that have had his opportu-
nifty TO lift for even a little the veil Of
Oriental thought and custom which
cloaks the japanese in mystery mex
plicable TO US.
In an effort 10 demonstrate how diff
cult IL is for one OF Caucasian birth to
make any headway in estimating Japa-
nese character Hearn sets forth at the
very beginning OF his book the total
difference between the psychological
processes Of the Occidental and the ORR
entail mind. The whole Of the Japa-
nese mental superstructure," says the
writer, evolves into forms having
nothing in common with Western psy-
Geological development; the expression
OF thought becomes regulated and the
expression OF emotion inhibited in ways
that bewilder and astound."
The attitude OF the Japanese mind in
its very manifestation is. thinks Hearn.
due directly TO the impulses OF religion.
Like the people Of India with their
castles, and the natives Of China, pos
sessed OF the tremendous conservatism
Of religious philosophy. the whole psy-
chology Of japanese character IS deter
mined By the force Of the two great
religious creeds that have been oper-
ating in the island kingdom since the
dawn OF time. Despite the suddenly
acquired veneer Of the new civilization
which Japan has put on within the
last half-century, the influences Of the
centuries gone lie beneath, and accord
ing 10 the author these influences are
naught but the manifold expression Of
religious spirit. So the author believes
that 10 solve the mystery Of japanese
character we must trace the spiritual
growth OF the people. In Shintoism and
Buddhism. the two great religious
schemes which divide the thought of
the people. lies the key to a right in
depreciation Of their character.
The old law, the law of the dead.
IS that bv which the millions prefer
10 act and think" This law, Hearn
shows 10 be a force old as the world
itself Before Greece heard the epic
songs Of Homer and when Rome's
seven hills bore virgin forest the race
OF which We are sprung was bound
by this law of the dead. The western
nations have outgrown this primitive
jurisdiction: Japan still yields to it
with fealty undiminished. From
the worship OF ancestors sprung
Shinto. the earliest and the strongest
OF Japan's religious PHILOSOPHERS.
1T should be recognized" writes
Hearn. that no religion is more sin
cere. TO faith more touching than this
domestic worship. which regards the
dead as continuing TO form a part of
the household life. and needing still
the affection and the respect Of their
children and kindred. Originating i'm
those dim ages when fear was
stronger than loVe-When the wish to
please the ghosts Of the departed must
have been chiefly inspired by dread
Of their anger-the cult at last de-
yeloped into a religion OF affection;
and this IL yet remains"
Minute and searching is the writer's
analysis Of the all-pervading influence
Of Shinto upon life and thought.
The early feudal division into family
groups sprang directly from the
hierarchical classification OF divinities:
the whole conception Of family rela-
ton was an outcome of the recogni-
ton Of the seniority Of ancestors; the
discipline Of the race was self-imposed
under the dictates Of Shinto beliefs:
the social laws and amenities Of polite
severe religious mandates. To the
ethical and sociological influences OF
Shinto was added the esthetic leaven