The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-02-23
JAPANESE LIVE
NEAR TO NATURE
CADWALLADER WAsHBURN DIS
CUssEs LIFE IN THE ORIENT.
While In tho Far East for Art Study,
Mr.. Washburn Kept in Close Touch
with His Brother, Stanley Washburn
Japanese Women Seeking for High
Ideals.

Cadwallader Washburn has just ar
rived at Fairoaks, the residence of his
father, General Washburn, after a year
in the orient, much Of which was spent
near the scene of military activities in
Korea and Manchuria. While there Mr..
Washburn kept in close touch with his
respondent for the Chicago Daily
News. He spent considerable time in
Niu- chuang, assisting his brother by
looking after his cable business for him.
When Stanley Washburn was ordered
south to meet the Baltic squadron,
Cadwallader Washburn accompanied
him, and they visited the Chinese ports.
This afforded the latter much interest
ing and important material for his work
as an artist, but as this has not yet ap-
gpeeared, Mr.. W Va does not care ), to
squadron dropped out Of public interest,
the Messrs. Washburn decided to re-
turn to America thru Europe. On ar
irving III Italy, Stanley Washburn was
ordered to St. Petersburg, and was
there during the exciting days of the
first demonstrations by the Russian
people. He sailed this week for home,
and is expected here soon, but is plan
ming to return to the east in short
time.
Japan Yields Inspiration.
Interest in the arts Of peace, not Of
war, was the Involvement that, led Cad
wallader Washburn to Japan last year.
The picturesque countries Of Europe
had yielded much valuable inspiration
and material for his art, and he wanted
to study the country and people OF
Japan. He chose etching as the me-
dunn for his studies and his portfolio
Of beautiful and delicate prints is evil
dence Of his sympathetic appreciation
Of this country Of great beauty, and OF
his industry.
In Japan Mr.. Washburn took up his
residence in an old temple near Kioto,
keeping house with a corps Of native
servants and living in Japanese at
mosphere. When asked by j ourna
representative about the impression
Japan made on him, Mr.. Washburn
"In order to have frank and Just
understanding and appreciation OF the
Mother Nature intimately. Only one
who has studied nature closely is com
petent to judge the Japanese with any
fairness, for the criterion Of their stan
dard is found in nature herself.
Views Differ.
HYou will always come across two
classes Of men possessing opposite views
Of the Japanese, their system and
thoughts Of life. This curious -phe:
nomenon, if I may call 1t that, at,
tribute to the fact that they judge
from standard that is only applicable
in Europe. My brother, who also spent
many weeks in Japan, holds views oil
rectly opposed to mine, his being based
| on his association with the military Of
fcials, while mine was gained thru con
tact with the peasantry and society peo
pie Of Kioto.
NAmong the strongest impressions
gained by my soiourn in Japan is re
garding the social condition Of
women. TO my mind the women, Of
Japan seek higher ideals Of life thai
the women Of Europe and America. q
1 is true that the social evil still exists
but it is doomed to determination.