Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-20
JAPANESE CHARACTER
LECTURE OF Mr.. HIoKI BEFORE
GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY.
Tells Local Scientists Of the Civiliza-
ton and Home Life Of His
People.

Mr.. Eki Hiolti, charge danaires Of the
Japanese legation. delivered an address
last evening before the National Geo
graphic Society at the National Rifles
armory on the theme IAN Interpretation
Of Japanese Character In which he paid
tribute to the services rendered his coun-
try by the American republic In introduce
ing Japan to tho society Of nations. He
gave an interesting description Of the man
ners and customs of the Japanese and a
clear analysis Of their national character.
In opening his address Mr.. Hioki said he
had already had ample and unmistakable
evidence Of the fact 'that the people of
this country take the keenest interest in
the progress of that oriental nation which
made Its debut In the society of nations
through the good ofiices Of this great re-
public"
II am happy to be able to say that the
fifty years International relation between
Japan and the United States has been cor
dialfty itself" he continued, but am
happier to be able to say that the bond OF
relations between these two countries has
of the turn Of events In recent years. 1t Is
unnecessary for me to point out to you
that high appreciation of ours of the atti-
tude of this nation toward us in our last
great struggle, and still less is it necessary
to mention our deep appreciation of the
lofty and humane act OF your great and be-
loved President, which saved the contend
Ing nations hundreds Of millions of dollars
and muititudes of tender women and inno-
cent children from the calamity of becom-
ing widows and orphans"
A Difficult Task.
Discussing the character of his country
men he quoted from the writings of several
foreign scholars who had attempted to give
an estimate Of the national traits and quail
tiles of the japanese.
THE different conclusions reached, he
said, showed how difficult is the task to
describe Japanese character, and how dan
gerous it Is to believe as true the snap judg-
ments of casual tourists and uniformed
globe trotters. Let 1t suffice to say that the
Japanese people are highly artistic and en-
dowed with vigorous imaginative power
In belief they are perfectly free and have
absolutely no religious prejudices. Their
ethical principles or rules of conduct are the
product of a conglomeration of Shintoistic,
Buddhistic, Confusianistic and the general
philosophic principles tempered by the rigid
atmosphere of feudalism.
'They are polite and hospitable and have
profound reverence for their parents, elders
and supe-ors. In fact, their life consti-
tutes a series of sacrifices of individual in
terests for those of their families, COM
munfties and country. They are extremely
sensitive as to their personal honor and
marked by stoiciSm in the control OF their
passions"
The speaker reviewed the course of the
Japanese in the war with Russia, and said
that the noble qualities shown could not
possibly be possessed by mere savage tribes,
nor could they be created. he declared, ex-
cept by long education and culture of the
highest order. In conclusion, he said: +" For
the country and for the lord are the watch
words which send thrill to the heart of
every Japanese. irrespective of age. sex and
the conditions of life. and before which
every Japanese sacrifices all of the ties of
love and affection, life and property"