Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-02-13
About japan.

From what is the name Japan
derived?
From the Chinese I-ih-pen, meaning
sun source" which was given to the
country because 1t lay toward the sun
rise from China. Japan is often called
the Sunrise Kingdom" Its native
name is Nihon, a corruption OF the
Chinese word.
What Is Japan and where Is 1t?
Japan proper consists OF four large
islands, three of them lying end to
end, off the coast of Korea and Siberia,
north of China. Because OF its rela-
tions to Asia it has been called the
England of the Orient.
How large is the japanese empire?
1t comprises altogether only 161, 900
square miles and is a little larger than
California, although its poplation is
almost half as large as that of the
United States.
How far is Japan from America?
Between 1000 and 5000 miles; about
fourteen days by steamer.
How far north does it lie as ON
pared with the United States?
1t lies between the same parallels of
latitude as the Mississippi valley
States and its climate varies from that
of Minnesota to that of Louisiana, al
though the extremes of heat and cold
are not so great. The southernmost
japanese possessions are tropical,
while the main island shows the com
mon aspects of the temperate zone.
Is the country mountainous or level?
Mountainous. The level ground is
only about IL per cent of the area. A
range Of high mountains runs through
the main island.
Who are the japanese?
They are a mixed race of Mongoloid
type, closely related to the Koreans
and Chinese.
What are their physical character
istics?
They are of short stature, the men
averaging about five feet In height.
The average weight Of a large mum
Der of young men of Toxic was found
to be only 121 pounds.
What are the japanese traits?
The people are intelligent and quick
to learn. They are exceeding cour-
teous and are great lovers of nature.
They combine stoical qualities with a
keen ability to enjoy life. Their Sc
renity, generosity and unselfshness
are strongly marked. Money seeking
is not a prominent characteristic.
Are the japanese justly regarded as
an artistic people?
Yes. Aesthetic ideals are widely
diffused. The Japanese mechanic is
artisan. Painting has been highly
developed. 1t is more conventional
than Western art, but has many ad-
mirable features even from the West
ern view point. Sculpture and cary
ing have been carried to a high pitch
of excellence. The Japanese have
made an especial study, too, of land
scape gardening and the arrangement
of flowers.
Are the japanese fond of flowers?
There are many floral festivals in
the year. October 8, for instance. is
chrysanthemum day. Other holidays
are devoted to cherry and plum bios
SONS, to the wistaria, the lotus and
the morning glory. On these days the
country is a vast flower garden.
What Is the government?
A constitutional monarchy. Up to
1889 1t was an autocracy. In that year
D constitution was promulgated. The
.ikado can declare war, make peace
and negotiate treaties. He makes laws
with the consent of the diet, consist
ing of a house Of peers and a house
Of representatives. The suffrage is
limited to taxpayers. There Is a ON
Dlete system of local self-government.
What is the national religion?
There is no state religion, but most
If the people are Buddhists or follow
ers Of Shinto. The last is rather a
system of life than a religion. Its
thief injunctions are: Follow your
impulses and obey the laws"
Il teaches prayers to dei1ed ancestors
md to personified powers Of nature.
There are about 100000 nominal
Christians in the empire.
What is the condition Of education?
1t Is compulsory. About $4,000
pupils are in the common schools, A.
100 in technical schools and $500 in
he universities,
What is Japan's chief industry?
Farming, done on a small scale. A
arm Of twelve acres is considered
The average size is two acres.
What are the chief products?
Rice. barley, wheat, maize, beans.
potatoes and onions. Plum trees, peach
rees and cherry trees are cultivated,
,ut for their flowers rather than their
'ruit. Tea, tobacco and silk worms
ire important products.
Is the country wealthy?
No. 1t is very poor. Wages aver.
ICE from 16 cents a day for coolies and
to SO cents for stonemasons.
)ut of every 1000 inhabitants, 1t is
'stimated that only seven make $l,4oo
year. Only thirteen men In the
ountry are supposed to have an an
lual income above $4,000.
What do the Japanese regard as
heir mission? r.
For one thing. the awst-- -,
,ann. n 4rs'S awe they can be the
eaue's @ssTfental civilization and
nSttGnina will respond to their lead
although II would not compre-
,end a purely Western form OF cul'
ure. Another aim, expressed by the
PRESIDENT Of the Bank OF Japan, is
n make the island empire the grand
of the nations" Japan is to be
nation Of artists, making itself In
initely beautiful and infinitely charm