The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-08-10

But suddenly he made up his mind tha
was then. presented to the Harvard club
at Toxic, which is an organization of
Harvard alumni, and Baron komura S
proposition was unanimously endorsed
OF course, the interest in the educational
advantages offered to American students
by establishing a plan by which Oriental
philosophy as well as Oriental chemistry
end mathematics could be presented by
japanese professors was greatly en-
hanecd by the fact that most of the Har-
ward graduates in Japan are men who
are prominent in the government and
business affairs of that country. While
the present amount of this endowment is
not sufficient to extend the possibilities
of Oriental knowledge to the limit of it's
interest to American students. it will en-
able Harvard to begin this work At the
last meeting of the president and fellows
of Harvard the endowment was formally
acknowledged
Just exactly what the Japanese depart
ment at Harvard will contribute to the
educational knowledge of the present time
becomes an interesting consideration. 1t
is believed by friends of the project that
the IDEAS of life which have prevailed
in Japan, and for that matter in China,
for thousands of years have in them
distinctly valuable suggestions for the
rsces of the western hemisphere
Oriental philosophy, in which the in
tricate and inspiring nature of Bushido
is so important a factor will convey a
suggestion of an entirely new point of
view in regard to the relations of daily.
life. Japanese literature is in itself a
evelation of Oriental character. 1t is
thought that the Japanese science can
supply valuable hints to the occident
Buddhism and Confucianism will assume
y new Importance when presented by
some Oriental who has made these
studies his life work
All these things the japanese chair at
Harvard is to offer as a field of study
for American college men. that has
hitherto only been explored in a super
ficial manner.
Bushido. transplanted from it's native
soil in Japan to the United States, will
t is believed by the authori<ies at Har-
ward, contribute an entirely new concep-
ton of life. How far this Oriental phi
losophy will be adapted to American
ways, manners and ideas is, of course,
a question to be decided when these lee
lures have begun. At any rate, it is
quite certain that when the first Japanese
professor to occupy the Japanese chair at
Harvard arrives there will be wide in
terest in his theories.
Spirit of Old Japan
In daily life as it is practiced in Japan,
Bushido, with its polite prostrations on
the mats and genufiections on the street,
Its rules of the sword and the road, it's
eisurely salutations and polite form OF
speech, its canons of art and conduct,
its lessons of heroism for wife, maid and
child, represents the universal creed of
the deeply rooted spirit of old Japan. In
it, as the living school of thought and
life. Japanese girls and boys are trained
alike. The potency and value of Bushido
to the nation has been recognized by the
whole world. TO understand Japan OF
tile twentieth century one must know
something of its roots in the soil of the
past
Literally translated, the three words,
'bu-shi-do' mean ''miltary-knigh ght-ways"
the ways which fighting nobes should OBJ
serve in their daily life as well as in their
vocation. Briefly it represents the pre-
cepts of knighthood 1t is a code of
moral principles unwritten; handed down
from mouth to mouth for generations.
In view of the fact that next fall these
lectures by Japanese men of learning will
began, it is interesting to consider Just
what they will contribute to the inforna-
tion and possibly the improvement Of our
modern philosoI by
buSliluo Is the Soul OF japan, ana what
ever the Japanese chair at Harvard NAV
accomplish. 1t will necessarily be done
un6ey the spell OF this Oriental philoso-
phy.
Practical Theories
Here are a few practical theories with
the Japanese chair at Harvard will o.-
Viousy propose Of the consideration of
the American student:
Justice which in Japanese is synony-
nous with recttude, is thus defined by
the Japanese philosopher
"Rectitude is the power of. deciding
upon certain course of conduct in ac-
oordance with reason. without waver-
ing-to die when 1t is fight to die, to
strike when to strike is right
"Rectitude is the bone that gives firm
ness and stature. As without bone the
head cannot rest on the top of the spine.
nor hands move nor feet stand so with
cut rectitnde neither talent nor learning
can make of human frame a samurai.
With it the lack of accomplishments is as
nothing"
Courage, according to Japanese philoso-
ply, is doing what is right" Japanese
parents, with sternness sometimes
verging on cruelty, set their children at
tasks that sometimes call forth all the
pluck that is in them. In certain Jap
anese drama. a boy Prince of Japan, who
is starving. says this to his page in ex-
plaration of courage:
''Seest thou those tiny sparrows in
the nest how their yellow bills are
opened wide? And now sec, there comes
their mother with worms to feed them
How eagerly and happily the little ones
cat! But for a samurai when his ston-
ach is enirty. it is a disgrace to fesl
hungry"
Renevolence is a strong factor in the
soul of Japan. The Influence OF icnevo-
lencep to he the cause of much IF the gen
tleness of its people. In the Principaliiy
OF Satsuma, noted for the martial spirit
and education of its people. the custom
prevails for young men to practice music.
sad and tender melodies on the 'biwa
sort Of guitar. A certain Prince Of
Shirakawa. setting down a few random
thoughts on this subject. wrote:
Though they come stealing to your
bccside in the silent watches of the night
the fragrance of flowers, the sound
Of distant bells, the insect hummpg of
a frosty night.