Japan, Aspects & Destines (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1904 edition. Excerpt: ... publicly in its Emperor. The nation's consent to the abolition of feudalism was not asked. If that sublime immolation is to be held the phcenix birth of the modern Japan, then the Japanese Oligarchy accomplished the beginning of things alone, of its own inspired initiative. But the historical case of the oligarchical chiefs, after the disappearance of feudalism, acquires some of its validity from their own consistent profession that it is not their case, but the case of the Imperial wisdom and enlightenment. This profession is made, has been made, voluntarily by the Oligarchy, and the nation has not interfered with the Oligarchy because the Oligarchy has never claimed to be what it is; the nation has been satisfied to assume that the Emperor has been the Oligarchy; it has consented to an historic illusion, and the Emperor has accepted the homage due to the miraculous works of the Oligarchy, the members of which, knowing on their part that the nation is aware of their humanity, recognise the hopelessness, in whatever circumstances, of divine honours coming to them, even if the miraculous works be, in reality, theirs alone. The Japanese, you will perceive, are thoroughly Oriental. They argue the facts by supposing a case. The outsider, desiring to apprehend the phenomenon known as Modern Japan, will encounter the facts, one of which is that Japan's modern history is chiefly the patriotism, the enlightenment, the original genius, the trained intellect, and the splendid self-sacrifice of a group of leading men; that that history is, in short, the warrant of the Oligarchy, which to this day and at this hour shapes the country's ends, promotes its progress, and fosters its best activities. Yet withal it acknowledges an obligation to clothe its...