A Fantasy of Far Japan Part 12

'j.a.pan is cleaner than most countries,' I continued, 'but she was even better in that respect in the days gone by. Conversely, therefore, the general atmosphere of social morality, I confess, became somewhat tarnished at the time of the great transition, as is bound at such period. There are two reasons for that. In the first place, in the feudal days social discipline was very strict in general, and tranquil enjoyment of the positions of Samurai--above all, those holding official positions--depended a great deal upon their private conduct; but with the introduction of occidental ideas, the private affairs of individuals have come to be viewed very leniently under the name of personal freedom. In the second place, the general condition of society has occasioned laxity in moral discipline almost unavoidably and of necessity. I mean to say that, during the last years of the Shogunate, when the country was in a state of effervescence, and when freedom of speech and meeting had no existence in the modern sense--nay, when any meetings or speeches having a political nature were most rigidly watched and pursued by emissaries, it was almost a matter of necessity that countless young patriots whose lives were as precarious as candle-lights in the wind, as we have it, should resort to a restaurant or tavern, where they could exchange and communicate thought and schemes under the cover of merriment and jocularity. Nay, more: there were not wanting young patriots, who in after years became famous, who owed their lives and success to the heroic a.s.sistance rendered by women of uncertain position, to whom they had to repay their indebtedness by personal consideration rather than yield to social scruples.

'The women also were heroic in those days, as is generally the case at the time of revolution in most countries. Add to this the general disruption and transformation, unknown in our previous history, of the whole structure of society, both political and social, and it will be no matter of surprise that a certain relaxation in the usual moral discipline of the people was the result. The j.a.pan which foreigners have seen is _that_ j.a.pan and not the j.a.pan of her normal days. The effect of that great change of 1867--I say "Great Change," because we do not like to apply the term "revolution"--has been subsiding for many years, and now j.a.pan is fast returning to her normal state. I am, therefore, not at all pessimistic in regard to the future of our national life, though the author may be.'

--'And besides,' interposed the d.u.c.h.ess, 'foreigners themselves are also spoiling your manners, according to your remarks which I read in one of the English periodicals you gave me. Dulcy, will you bring the English periodical I mean? It is on the small table in my boudoir: I should like to read it once more.'

In a few moments the periodical in question was brought by Lady Dulciana. The d.u.c.h.ess took it in her hand, saying, 'Here are the baron's remarks. Listen, I will read aloud.' She read as follows:--

'OCCIDENTAL CIVILISATION IN j.a.pAN

'"Do you really think," I asked, "that, generally speaking, occidental civilisation is beneficial to j.a.pan?"

'"Well," slowly replied the baron, "that is a question which requires very careful answering. I am certainly of opinion that, from the purely material point of view, this invasion of Western thought and methods has done us the greatest possible good. I refer especially, of course, to science and mechanics. And as to the mental part of it, the influence also is distinctly good--but still, is not so beneficial as from the material point of view.

'"Remember that for centuries we have had our own way of thinking and reasoning, and so, to a great extent, we are not convinced by Western thought. We keep to our old ways, to our old methods, though the trend of our ideas is slightly altered by European thought. Let me give you an ill.u.s.tration of what I mean, for it is rather a difficult point to explain. For instance, we have always been humane and charitable to our fellow-creatures, but in the old days there was no form of public charity. It was not much needed, as a matter of fact, but now you will find that we are everywhere establis.h.i.+ng hospitals on the European system. So you see only the old mode of our charity is changed. It is rather a delicate point to say how far Western thought has impregnated our own. The opinions of Darwin, Huxley, and Spencer, as well as the views of Catholic and Protestant Missions, are spread all over j.a.pan; but our ethical sense is such that it does not allow us easily to adopt the dogmatic points of foreign religions, and though many j.a.panese have adopted Christianity, yet they are, after all, in a vast minority. But that does not signify that we are averse to religion; on the contrary, I am glad to say we extend the greatest tolerance to all kinds of religionists. I am not a Christian myself, but I know, perhaps, more of the essence of Christianity than some of my fellow-countrymen who profess it, for I had to study the Greek Testament in my Cambridge days. I am always amused when the people here imagine I know nothing about that religion. The Missionary question is always a very delicate one. I am sure missionaries mean well, but sometimes they are very indiscreet. For instance, Miss M'Caul, writing the other day from the front, says that one of her escorts was a j.a.panese lady of position, who had been specially attached to her by the j.a.panese Government. One day a missionary went up to this lady and asked her if she was married. 'Oh yes,'

she replied, 'and I have three children.' 'But were you married in church?' 'No,' 'Then, of course, you are not really married!' Well such narrow minds do real harm. The missionary did not mean to be offensive, but as your proverb has it--'Evil is often wrought by want of thought.'"

'"Has Occidentalism spoiled your art, baron, do you think?"

'"To a certain extent the Western civilisation has damaged the artistic side of our life. I don't think that your oil-paintings will ever supersede our own light sketches. Our houses are not made for elaborate picture frames, and the price of your pictures is much greater than the price of ours. And why should we pay a large sum when we can get as much happiness and pleasure for a small sum?

But undoubtedly the European style is influencing ours, as ours is influencing yours. Although our pictures, as a rule, are excellent on the side of idealism, they are very often defective from a technical point of view. Our perspective can certainly be improved by the European method. Some people are of opinion that European methods will spoil our characteristics. But in my opinion it will be so only while the artists are in a transitory state; if they excel they will be all right. I don't see any reason to reject that kind of improvement. Let me give you a plain and simple example of what I mean. Take that square box, for instance. Now, a j.a.panese artist, owing to his inefficiency in perspective, would so draw it as to make it appear triangular; well, what harm could be done by showing him how to draw it properly.

'"The people generally move with the upper cla.s.ses, and all our upper cla.s.ses in j.a.pan are in favour of Western modes of thought and life. People generally are delighted with the Westernisation of j.a.pan, and especially grateful for the improvement in political and civic conditions. We have now the representative system in Parliament; our Courts of Law are modelled on yours; and alas! the increase of Courts has increased litigation, yet justice can be obtained, and appeal can be made against injustice, easier than under the old feudal system. The general condition of the lower cla.s.ses is far better than in the days of the feudal daimios. Then every locality differed. In some places, if the daimio was a good man, the poor were happy; in others they were less happy, but on the whole there was not extreme poverty. The same condition is continued and somewhat improved. I fear, however, that the relative position of the poor has a tendency to degenerate as in Europe."

'THE STANDARD OF LIVING

'"Are the people generally better off as regards money?"

'"Well, they make more money, but 10 now is only equal to 1, or less, in the old days. But one thing is certain, they have better food. There is one thing, however, in which Western methods have not benefited us--the demarcation between rich and poor is becoming more marked with the new civilisation. And that is a bad sign, though it can't be helped. Education, I am glad to say, is much more general than it was. In former days the Samurai cla.s.s were well educated, and there were several very good schools, but education was not so general as it is now, when every community has its elementary schools, although we are still far from well off in the way of universities. However, they will come."

'"In speaking to me of the new civilisation, for which he is mainly responsible, the Marquis Ito told me he was afraid that the reverence of the young for the old, and of children for their parents, which was so much a feature of old j.a.pan, appeared to be dying out."

'"I quite agree with him," replied the baron, "and if the individualistic ideas of Western nations continue to increase in j.a.pan, the old family feeling of reverence is sure to decline. That is our great problem of the future. Young j.a.pan in some ways is departing from the ways of its ancestors, and it is a thing to be very greatly feared and deplored."

'"Do you think that, speaking generally, character is improved in j.a.pan by the Western influence?"

'"Speaking of individuals," replied my host, with great vehemence, "no, it is not. On the contrary, I notice great deterioration from a.s.sociation with foreigners. Take, for instance, our ports, where there are mainly houses of ill-fame, mainly supported by European sailors, who have introduced vices and vulgarities of which old j.a.pan was absolutely ignorant. But, of course, I do not consider that the Western influence is wholly bad merely because certain very low-cla.s.s foreigners come to our country and behave badly. The general good of the community has been greatly advanced by our contact with the West. Trades-unions, for instance, and the formation of great business companies, which were quite unknown in the old days, have helped greatly to raise the commerical status of our people, both employers and employed. You ask me as to individual morality under modern influences. Well, it is difficult to define. On the whole, I think the morality of the individual was higher in the old days, because those days were more simple and the community was more sober. The more primitive a land is, the better it is morally. But I fear we must move with modern times."

'"And which do you prefer--the quiet feudal days of old j.a.pan, or the modern push and worry and hustle and bustle?"

'"It all depends on the point of view," was my host's reply.

"Compet.i.tion with the world is absolutely necessary. But there were many good points about the old days. Although they involved a regime of restriction and there was very little chance of individual development (though not so little as Lafcadio Hearn would make out), men of ability could always push their way to the front even in the days of feudalism."

'"The Marquis Ito, for instance?"

'"Don't speak of him. He, Marquis Yamagata, and many others, have arisen from an obscure position, but, they belong more to our own time, I am speaking of older days. Take, for instance, Arai Hakuseki, who, born in humble circ.u.mstances, became the chief adviser of the Shogun. Many a farmer's son who joined the priesthood rose to greater power and position than that of a middle-cla.s.s daimio."

'"And do you think that the general level of happiness in j.a.pan is as high as it was in the old days of romance?"

'"Yes," smiled the baron. "But people were happy in former days because they did not know what freedom meant, still less the enjoyment of the luxuries to which they are now accustomed. To them ignorance was literally bliss. But the idea of happiness nowadays differs in kind and character, and it is difficult to say if modern j.a.pan is as happy as the ancient j.a.pan. One thing, I hope, will always remain with us, and that is our patriotism and loyalty. A country is in a good way which puts loyalty to the sovereign and love of country before all private and meaner considerations."'

Finis.h.i.+ng the reading, the d.u.c.h.ess continued, 'I suppose you are correctly reported?'

--'Yes, in the main,' I answered.

--'I was reading,' said the d.u.c.h.ess, 'the other day, the chapter on j.a.pan in the _Far East_, by Archibald Little, just issued from the Clarendon Press, which, I think, is the best topographical description of j.a.pan written in a popular style. In it I came across a pa.s.sage to this effect:

'Whether increased intercourse with the essentially vulgar West will, as many well-wishers fear, at the same time destroy the old simplicity of living, the future will show.

'The Occidentals seem to have begun to perceive vulgarity in things European. There is really vulgarity in many things, I fear. But, baron, had you any particular idea when you spoke about the vulgarity introduced into your open ports?'

--'I am afraid not,' I answered; 'it would be difficult for me to explain it to you, and you would not appreciate it if I did. Look! the last ray of the sun is glittering in the foliage. Time has flown wonderfully quick: I must say _au revoir_'

V

Some observations on peace prospects--Discussion on Anglo-French-Russo-j.a.panese _entente_--Russian views of the j.a.panese--Discussion on religion and j.a.pan--j.a.pan and the International Conventions--The meaning of religion--General Nogi--A high-priest on j.a.pan and Russia--The j.a.panese conception of death--A quotation from an old book on Bus.h.i.+do--The notion of the name--Further remarks on the Russian views of the j.a.panese--England and America--The outbreak of the war--A wanton project of the Russian admiral restrained by the French admiral--Discussion on the Yellow Peril and Pan-Asiatic ambition--j.a.pan not a small country--French poor in the caves--Paris by night--Sir Stamford Raffles and his appreciation of j.a.pan ninety years ago --Patriotism and France--_La France, c'est le pays de mon cur_--A romantic and tragical story--Discussion on Socialism and j.a.pan--England and America--Discussion on the word 'Revolution'--The Great Change of j.a.pan in 1867--Its political and social effects--A comparison with the French Revolution--Discussion on unity and continuity of authority--An anonymous pamphlet--Discussion on the relative position of the French Nationalists and Socialists with regard to j.a.pan--French thrift

I was once more partaking of tea _en famille_ in the d.u.c.h.ess of Fairfield's garden. She, like myself, prefers to be unceremonious, as there is then so much more possibility of a quiet conversation.

--'What do you think of the prospect of peace?' said the duke. 'The war must surely now cease.'

--'Yes, I should think so too,' I replied. 'Enough blood has already been shed; but, you know, our opponents are such that they do not see things in the same light as other people.'

--'But they must do so now,' was the reply. 'Every one has known for a long time that it is of no use for them to carry on the war. The issue is clear.'

--'Well, we shall see what will happen.'

--'The justice of the cause and the singleness of the aim of j.a.pan are now widely recognised by the thinking people of the whole world,' said the d.u.c.h.ess, 'and the part you have played in it is not small.'

--'I thank you very much for your sympathetic words,' I answered. 'On the morrow of the battle of Tsu-s.h.i.+ma I received a telegram from a well-known English writer in which he congratulated me on the brilliant victory, as he said, of our fleets, adding thereto "only equalled by your success in Europe." That that victory was brilliant I cannot deny, though the honour belongs to my own country, but as to the part of the telegram concerning myself, it is an exaggeration. The only thing which is true, however, is that I have worked hard all this time--I may say, harder than I have in all my life. I have done so, as every j.a.panese ought to do, having in view the fact that my fatherland has been engaged in the most gigantic struggle since the famous invasion of the Mongolian Armada, or even more momentous than that. I merely mention this incident to you because you are so sympathetic: I have never told it to any one else.'

--'I can quite understand your feelings,' said the d.u.c.h.ess, and continued after a little pause--

'The whole world knows the chivalrous character of the j.a.panese.

Remember, however, I am a friend of Russia, and that is the reason why I am all the more anxious that Russia should recognise the situation as it is.'

--'Yes, I know your views very well. There are many Frenchmen who hold similar views. Some of them sincerely wished to save the Baltic Fleet and advocated peace, as they were sure all the s.h.i.+ps would go to the bottom of the sea if they ventured to the Far East, which would leave the Baltic defenceless, and would thus deprive France of the usefulness of the Dual Alliance. But those friendly counsels were not heeded by the Russians; on the contrary, as you know, some insinuations were made regarding the press which had published them. We have a saying: "Good medicine is bitter to the mouth, and faithful counsel is averse to the ear." This is a case in point.'

--'It is often so, I fear,' said the duke. 'But, baron, I must now leave you. I have an engagement to-day, and have to take my daughters with me.

The d.u.c.h.ess studies diplomacy and politics more than I, so please stay and talk with her.'

The Duke of Fairfield is a typical aristocrat: although not a great talker, he is eminently sensible, unostentatious, and dignified. France of to-day is not for the aristocracy, but the duke is resigned to the circ.u.mstance. He has always been as cordial and kind to me as the other members of his family. He now left the d.u.c.h.ess and me to our conversation, and went out with his two daughters.