Transcriber’s Notes
Obvious typographical errors have been silently corrected. Variations
in hyphenation have been standardised but all other spelling and
punctuation remains unchanged.
Italics are represented thus _italic_, and superscripts thus y^{en}.
On page 168, 2nd paragraph of Chapter XIX, refers to a Papal Bull
promulgated by Pope Clement VII in 1860. This has been corrected to
Pope Clement VIII who was pope when the Bull was promulgated in 1600.
Volume II contains a complete index to both volumes. This has been copied into
this volume.
“JAPAN AS IT WAS AND IS”
A HANDBOOK OF OLD JAPAN
I
_Uniform with this Work_
A HANDBOOK OF MODERN JAPAN.
By ERNEST W. CLEMENT. With two maps and seventy-two illustrations from
photographs. _Sixth edition._ Price, $1.40 _net._
A. C. MCCLURG & CO.
_Chicago_
[Illustration: IMAGE OF DATE MASAMUNE]
HILDRETH’S
“JAPAN AS IT WAS AND IS”
A HANDBOOK OF OLD JAPAN
EDITED, WITH SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES, BY
ERNEST W. CLEMENT
AUTHOR OF “A HANDBOOK OF MODERN JAPAN,” ETC.
INTRODUCTION BY
WM. ELLIOT GRIFFIS
_With One Hundred Illustrations and Maps_
VOLUME I
[Illustration: A·C·M^cCLURG
& CO]
CHICAGO
A. C. McCLURG & CO.
1906
COPYRIGHT
A. C. MCCLURG & CO.
1906
Published September 29, 1906
THE UNIVERSITY PRESS, CAMBRIDGE, U.S.A.
CONTENTS
VOLUME I.
PAGE
“ADVERTISEMENT” TO ORIGINAL EDITION. RICHARD HILDRETH xiii
EDITOR’S INTRODUCTION ERNEST W. CLEMENT xix
FOREWORD WM. ELLIOT GRIFFIS xxv
JAPANESE PRONUNCIATION xxxi
CHAPTER I
Earliest European Knowledge of Japan—Japanese Histories—Marco
Polo’s Account of the Mongol or Tartar Invasion—Accounts
of the Same Event given by the Chinese and Japanese
Annalists—A. D. 1281 or 1283 1
CHAPTER II
Portuguese Empire in the East—Discovery of Japan—Galvano’s
Account of it—Fernam Mendez Pinto’s Account of his First
Visit to Japan, and Adventures there—Japanese Account of
the First Arrival of Portuguese—A. D. 1542-1545 11
CHAPTER III
Pinto’s Second Visit to Japan—Anjirō, or Paul of the Holy Faith—A.
D. 1547-1548 34
CHAPTER IV
Religious Faith Three Centuries ago—Zeal of the Portuguese
Conquerors—Antonio Galvano—Missionary Seminaries at
Ternate and Goa—Order of the Jesuits—Francis Xavier—His
Mission to India—His Mission to Japan—His Companion,
Cosme de Torres—The Philippine Islands—A. D. 1542-1550 40
CHAPTER V
Political and Religious Condition of Japan, as found by the
Portuguese—The Yakatas, or Kings, and their
Vassals—Revenues—Money—Distinction of Ranks—The Kubō-Sama—The
Dairi—Shintō—Buddhism—Judō—A. D. 1550 57
CHAPTER VI
Civilization of the Japanese—Animals—Agriculture—Arts—Houses
—Ships—Literature—Jurisprudence—Character of the Japanese—Their
Custom of cutting themselves open—A. D. 1550 75
CHAPTER VII
Preaching of Xavier—Pinto’s Third Visit to Japan—A. D. 1550-1551 81
CHAPTER VIII
Progress of the Missions under Fathers De Torres and Nugnes
Barreto—Mendez Pinto a Fourth Time in Japan—A. D. 1551-1557 87
CHAPTER IX
Louis Almeida—The Missionaries establish themselves at Miyako
[Kyōtō]—Louis Froez—Princes converted in Shimo—Rise
of Nobunaga—Prosperity of the Missions—Noble and Princely
Converts—Nagasaki built—Nobunaga makes himself Emperor—A. D.
1557-1577 93
CHAPTER X
Father Valignani—State of the Missions—Conversion and Baptism
of the King of Bungo—Growth of Nagasaki—Embassy
to the Pope—Documents relating to this Embassy—A. D. 1577-1586 100
CHAPTER XI
Events meanwhile in Japan—Downfall of Nobunaga—Accession
of Hashiba, afterwards known as Kwambacudono, and, finally,
as Taikō-Sama—Edict against the Jesuits—Return of the
Ambassadors—A. D. 1582-1588 116
CHAPTER XII
Recapitulation—Extent of the Japanese Empire—Valignani
arrives at Nagasaki—Progress hitherto of the Catholic Faith—The
Emperor’s Projects against China—Valignani’s Visit to
the Emperor at Miyako—Ukondono—The returned Japanese
Ambassadors—Audience given to Valignani—The Viceroy’s
Letter—The Interpreter Rodriguez—A. D. 1588-1593 123
CHAPTER XIII
New Troubles of the Missionaries from their own Countrymen—The
Emperor claims Homage of the Governor of the Philippines—Mutual
Jealousies of the Portuguese and Spaniards—Spanish
Adventurers in Japan—The Emperor’s Suspicions
excited—His Reply to the Viceroy of Goa—A. D. 1591-1592 134
CHAPTER XIV
The Expedition against Corea—The Emperor associates his
Nephew—City of Fushimi—Correspondence of the Emperor
with the Governor of Manila—The Jesuits denounced by
the Spanish Envoys—Consequences thereof—Departure of
Valignani—A. D. 1592 140
CHAPTER XV
Progress of the Corean War—Success of the Japanese—Konishi
Settsu-no-Kami, Viceroy of Corea—Edict of the Emperor for disarming
the Converts in Shimo—Disgrace and Downfall of the
Royal Family of Bungo—Terazawa, Governor of Nagasaki—His
Conversion and Friendly Acts—A. D. 1592-1593 144
CHAPTER XVI
Jealousy on the Part of the Dominicans and Franciscans towards
Jesuits—This Jealousy coöperates with the Mercantile Jealousy
of the Spaniards at Manila—Franciscan Friars establish themselves
at Miyako, Ōsaka, and Nagasaki—Edicts against them—Deposition
and Death of the Emperor’s Nephew—A. D. 1593-1595 147
CHAPTER XVII
Great Earthquake—Mission from China—Arrival of a Spanish
Galleon—Friars on Board her—New Accusations on her Account
against the Jesuits—Connection of the Jesuits with the
Trade to Japan—Arrest of Missionaries and Converts—First
Martyrs—A. D. 1595-1597 151
CHAPTER XVIII
New Edict for the Deportation of the Jesuits—Its Partial Evasion—New
Correspondence between the Philippines and Japan—Taikō-Sama’s
Justification of his Recent Proceedings—New
Destruction of Churches in Shimo—Taikō-Sama’s Death—His
Preceding Efforts to secure his own Deification and the Succession
of his Infant Son, Hideyori—Regency—Iyeyasu, its
Head, with the Title of Daifu-Sama—A. D. 1597-1599 158
CHAPTER XIX
Evacuation of Corea—Return of the Converted Princes—Favorable
Disposition of Daifu-Sama—Third Visit of Father
Valignani—Civil War between Daifu-Sama and his Co-Regents—His
Triumph—Disgrace and Execution of Settsu-no-Kami—Daifu-Sama
takes the Title of Ōgosho-Sama and still
favors the Converts—Influx of Dominican and Franciscan
Friars—Flourishing Condition of the Church—Local
Persecutions—A. D. 1599-1609 162
CHAPTER XX
Attempt of the English and Dutch to discover a New Route to the
Far East—Voyages round the World—Attempted English
Voyage to Japan—English and Dutch Voyages to India—First
Dutch Voyage to Japan—Adams, the English Pilot—His
Adventures and Detention in Japan—A. D. 1513-1607 166
CHAPTER XXI
Spanish Friars in Japan—Extension of Japanese Trade—Progress
of the Dutch in the Eastern Seas—They open a Trade
with Japan—Emperor’s Letter—Shipwreck of Don Rodrigo
de Vivero on the Japanese Coast—His Reception, Observations,
and Departure—Destruction of a Portuguese Carac by
the Japanese—Another Dutch Ship arrives—Spex’s Charter—Embassies
from Macao and New Spain—Father Louis
Sotelo and his Projects—A. D. 1607-1618 179
CHAPTER XXII
Origin and Commencement of English Intercourse with Japan—Captain
Saris’ Voyage thither, and Travels and Observations
there—New Spanish Embassy from the Philippines—Commercial
Rivalry of the Dutch and English—Richard Cocks,
Head of the English Factory—A. D. 1611-1613 206
CHAPTER XXIII
Ecclesiastical Retrospect—New Persecution—Edict of Banishment
against the Missionaries—Civil War between Hideyori
and Ōgosho-Sama—Triumph of Ōgosho-Sama—His Death—Persecution
more Violent than ever—Mutual Rancor of the
Jesuits and the Friars—Progress of Martyrdom—The English
and Dutch—A. D. 1613-1620 227
CHAPTER XXIV
Collisions of the Dutch and English in the Eastern Seas—The
English retire from Japan—The Spaniards repelled—Progress
of the Persecution—Japanese Ports, except Hirado and
Nagasaki, closed to Foreigners—Charges in Europe against
the Jesuits—Fathers Sotelo and Collado—Torment of the
Fosse—Apostasies—The Portuguese confined to Deshima—Rebellion
of Shimabara—The Portuguese excluded—Ambassadors
put to Death—A. D. 1621-1640 236
CHAPTER XXV
Policy of the Dutch—Affair of Nuyts—Haganaar’s Visits to
Japan—Caron’s Account of Japan—Income of the Emperor
and the Nobles—Military Force—Social and Political Position
of the Nobles—Justice—Relation of the Dutch to the Persecution
of the Catholics—The Dutch removed from Hirado and
confined in Deshima—Attempts of the English, Portuguese,
and French at Intercourse with Japan—Final Extinction of
the Catholic Faith—A. D. 1620-1707 251
CHAPTER XXVI
Portuguese Trade to Japan—Dutch Trade—Silver, Gold, and
Copper the Chief Articles of Export—Export of Silver
prohibited—Chinese Trade—Its Increase after the Accession of
the Manchu Dynasty—Chinese Temples at Nagasaki—A
Buddhist Doctor from China—Edict on the Subject of Household
Worship—Restrictions on the Dutch Trade—Increase
in the Number of Chinese Visitors to
Nagasaki—Their Objects—Restrictions on the Chinese Trade—The
Chinese shut up in a Factory—Trade with Lew Chew
[Riūkiū]—A. D. 1542-1690 269
CHAPTER XXVII
Engelbert Kämpfer—His Visit to Japan—Deshima and its
Inhabitants as described by him—A. D. 1690 282
CHAPTER XXVIII
Particular Statement as to the Dutch Trade as it existed in
Kämpfer’s Time—Arrival of the Ships—Unlading—Passes—Imports—Company
and Private Goods—Kambans, or
Public Sales—Duties—Profits—Exports—Departure of
the Ships—Smuggling—Execution of Smugglers 316
CHAPTER XXIX
Nagasaki and its Vicinity as seen by Kämpfer—Imperial Governors—Their
Officers and Palaces—Municipal System—Street
Government—Mutual Responsibility—Administration
of Justice—Taxes—Government of other Towns—Adjacent
Country—The God Suwa and his Matsuri—A. D. 1690-1692 337
CHAPTER XXX
Kämpfer’s Two Journeys to Court—Preparations—Presents—Japanese
Attendants—Packing the Baggage and Riding on
Horseback—Japanese Love of Botany—Accoutrements—Road-Books—Norimono
and Kago—A. D. 1690-1692 366
CHAPTER XXXI
Highways—Rivers—Fords—Ferries—Bridges—Water Part
of the Journey—Coast and Islands—Frail Structure of
Japanese Vessels—Description of them—Buildings on the
Route—Proclamation Places—Places of Execution—Tera,
or Buddhist Temples—Miya, or Shintō Temples—Idols and
Amulets 380
INDEX
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
VOLUME I.
PAGE
Image of Date Masamune _Frontispiece_
The Invasion of the Mongol Tartars 2
Entrance to the Temple of Jimmu Tennō 8
Portrait of St. Francis Xavier, One of the Earliest Missionaries to
Japan 42
Image of Yoritomo 64
Ise Temple 68
A Shintō Priest 70
Pilgrims returning from a Temple 72
A Buddhist Sermon 74
Performance of Harakiri 78
The Kintai Bridge, Snō 90
Image of Oda Nobunaga 96
Painting of Taikō-Sama 124
The Expedition against Corea 140
Feudal Strongholds: Himeji Castle; Nagoya Castle 160
Image of Iyeyasu 164
Temple of Hideyoshi, Kyōtō 182
A Scene in the Palace Gardens, Kyōtō 196
Performers on the Koto and the Samisen 212
The Tomb of Iyeyasu, Nikkō 230
Facsimile of an Anti-Christian Edict 242
Dutch Candelabrum at Nikkō 256
Attack on Fort Zeelandia in Formosa 302
Nagasaki Harbor 312
Examination of a Prisoner by Torture 354
Festival with Mikoshi 358
Musical Instruments: Two Styles of Drums; A Flute-player 362
Transportation Methods: A Buddhist Priest in a Norimono;
Ancient Imperial Carriages; Lady in a Kago 366
A Bridge spanning the River Ōigawa; View of Fujikawa 378
The River Ōi 384
Japanese Craft: Sailboats; Rowboats; Junks 386
A Merchant Ship 390
A Dry-goods Shop 396
MAPS
Sketch Map of Old Japan 1
Map of Feudal Japan 272
ADVERTISEMENT
TO ORIGINAL EDITION
In collecting materials for a biography of the first explorers and
planters of New England and Virginia, I was carried to Japan, where I
happened to arrive (in the spirit) almost simultaneously with Commodore
Perry’s expedition. My interest thus roused in this secluded country
has produced this book, into which I have put the cream skimmed, or,
as I might say, in some cases, the juices laboriously expressed, from
a good many volumes, the greater part not very accessible nor very
inviting to the general reader, but still containing much that is
curious and entertaining, and, to most readers, new; which curiosities,
novelties, and palatable extracts, those who choose will thus be
enabled to enjoy without the labor that I have undergone in their
collection and arrangement—the former, indeed, a labor of love for my
own satisfaction; the latter, one of duty—not to say of necessity—for
the pleasure of the reading and book-buying public.
Instead of attempting, as others have done, to cast into a systematic
shape observations of very different dates, I have preferred to
follow the historic method, and to let the reader see Japan with
the successive eyes of all those who have visited it, and who have
committed their observations and reflections to paper and print. The
number of these observers, it will be found, is very considerable;
while their characters, objects, and points of view, have been widely
different; and perhaps the reader may reach the same conclusion that I
have: that, with all that is said of the seclusion of Japan, there are
few countries of the East which we have the means of knowing better, or
so well.
The complete history of the Portuguese, Spanish, and Dutch relations
with the Japanese is not to be found elsewhere in English; nor in any
language, in a single work; while in no other book have the English and
American relations been so fully treated. Many extraordinary characters
and adventures make their appearance on the scene, and the reader will
have no ground to complain at least of want of variety.
How little the history of Japan and of its former relations with
Portugal and Holland are known—even in quarters where information on
the subject might be said to constitute an official duty—is apparent in
the following passage in a letter addressed from the State Department
at Washington to the Secretary of the Navy, in explanation of the
grounds, reasons, and objects, of our late mission to Japan, and
intended as instruction to the envoy: “Since the islands of Japan were
first visited by European nations, efforts have _constantly_ been made
by the various maritime powers to establish commercial intercourse with
a country whose large population and reputed wealth hold out great
temptations to mercantile enterprise. Portugal was the first to make
the attempt, and her example was followed by Holland, England, Spain,
and Russia, and finally by the United States. _All these attempts,
however, have thus far been unsuccessful_; the permission enjoyed for
a short period by the Portuguese, and that granted to Holland _to send
annually a single vessel_ to the port of Nagasaki, hardly deserving to
be considered exceptions to this remark.”
From Kämpfer, whose name has become so identified with Japan, but into
whose folios few have the opportunity or courage to look, I have made
very liberal extracts. Few travellers have equalled him in picturesque
power. His descriptions have indeed the completeness, and finish, and,
at the same time, the naturalness, and absence of all affectation,
with much of the same quiet humor, characteristic of the best Dutch
pictures. I have preferred to introduce entire the work of such an
artist, rather than to run the risk of spoiling it by attempting
a paraphrase; only, as I had so many other volumes on hand, the
substance, or at least the spirit, of which was to be transferred to
mine, and as folios are no longer in fashion, I have found it necessary
in quoting him to retrench a little the superabundance of his words.
It is from his work also that the ornamental title-page[1] is copied,
stated by his editor to be after a style fashionable in Japan, where
dragons are held in great repute. Kämpfer says, that heads of these
imaginary animals are placed over the doors of houses all over the
East—among the Mahometans of Arabia and Persia, as well as in China and
Japan—to keep off, as the Mahometans say, the envious from disturbing
the peace of families. Perhaps the Japanese authors surround their
title-pages with them in hopes to frighten away the critics.
The outline map,[2] copied principally from that given in the atlas
of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, contains, with
the observations annexed to it, and the note H[2] of the appendix,
about all that we know of the geography of Japan—all at least that
would interest the general reader. The contour of the coast is that
delineated in our sea-charts, and though probably not very correct, is
much more so than that of the Japanese maps; which, however large and
particular, are not much to be relied upon, at least in this respect.
The division into provinces of course rests upon Japanese authority.
In giving Japanese names and words, I have aimed at a certain
uniformity; but, like all other writers on Japan, have failed to attain
it. The Portuguese missionaries, or at least their translators into
Latin, in representing Japanese names, employed _c_ with the force of
_k_ before the vowels _a_, _o_, and _u_, and with the force of _s_
before _e_ and _i_; which same sound of _s_, in common with that of
_ts_, they sometimes represented by _x_. In the earlier part of the
book I have, in relation to several names known only, or chiefly,
through these writers, followed their usage; though generally, in the
representation of Japanese names and words, I have avoided the use of
these ambiguous letters, and have endeavored to conform to the method
of representing the Japanese syllables proposed by Siebold, and of
which an account is given in the Appendix.[2]
The daguerreotype views and portraits taken by the artists attached
to Commodore Perry’s expedition, the publication of which may soon
be hoped for, will afford much more authentic pictures of the
externals of Japan than yet have appeared; and, from the limited stay
and opportunities of observation enjoyed by those attached to that
expedition, must constitute their chief contribution to our knowledge
of the Japanese empire.
R. H.
BOSTON, June 1st, 1855.
EDITOR’S INTRODUCTION
Hildreth’s “Japan as it Was and Is” was published in three editions,—in
1855, 1856, and 1861. In the last edition a new chapter was added
to bring the book down to that date. The value of the book, as a
compilation from all the important European writings on Old Japan,
has always been acknowledged, but has been somewhat diminished by the
various old-fashioned styles of transliteration, which rendered many
Japanese words difficult of recognition. Therefore the present writer,
more than ten years ago, conceived the idea of a revision of Hildreth’s
work, especially by harmonizing the spelling of Japanese words with
the modern system of Romanization, and by adding such other notes and
explanations as might be necessary. This he has been doing gradually,
as leisure afforded opportunity. In the meantime Mr. K. Murakawa, an
alumnus of the Imperial University, Tōkyō, has issued, in two small
limited editions, in 1902 and 1905, a reprint somewhat along that
line. But as his work was done with the needs of Japanese in view, it
does not entirely satisfy the needs of foreigners. The present writer
acknowledges his indebtedness to Mr. Murakawa in some points, but he
had done almost all his work before he saw the Japanese edition. He now
offers an edition which is not merely a reprint, but also a revision,
and is well illustrated. Of course the text of the original has been
followed as closely as possible, and yet not only additions, but also
excisions, have been made whenever necessary. For instance, some of
the footnotes and several of the long notes in the Appendix have
been omitted because they have become either wholly or comparatively
valueless. The writer’s additional notes are signed “Edr.,” and where
Mr. Murakawa’s notes have been used the initials “K. M.” are signed.
Mr. Murakawa says that Hildreth’s book “contains many errors,” because
it was “written by an _author_ who was not in a position to avail
himself of the Japanese sources, at a _time_ when Japan was yet closed
against foreign intercourse, and at a _place_ far away from Japan.”
This statement is partly true but somewhat unjust, because it fails
to take into consideration the fact that Hildreth’s work is chiefly a
compilation, including lengthy quotations, from _authors_ who did avail
themselves as much as possible of Japanese sources, at the very _time_
when they themselves were living in the very _place_, Japan itself.
But these writers were, of course, far from infallible and made errors
of fact or inference which Hildreth followed. And yet it is really
remarkable that, with so many limitations and hindrances, they gained
so good an insight into Japanese life.
It goes without saying that the present editor has not attempted to
correct all the errors of details,—a task which would be as impossible
as unprofitable. He has corrected the most flagrant mistakes so far
as he has discovered them, but he may have overlooked errors needing
attention. He would here call special attention to a few mistakes which
were so frequent and so closely interwoven in the narrative as to
render correction impracticable. The word “Nippon,” which is really
the name of the whole country, is applied by the old writers to the
main island, the real name of which is Hondo. The word “Emperor” almost
always refers to the Shōgun, while the true Emperor is mentioned under
the name of “Dairi.”
It is quite likely that the transliteration of Japanese words is not
absolutely uniform, even in this revision. There is still difference
of opinion among the best authorities on some points. But in this book
there is not so much variety as to be confusing. On this subject see
also the Introduction to the editor’s “Handbook of Modern Japan.”
A word of explanation may be needed concerning some of the
illustrations of Japanese manners and customs. They are produced, of
course, from modern photographs; but as there has been comparatively
little change in those particulars, the illustrations practically
represent the olden times under consideration in this volume.
The map in the original was so crude and inaccurate that it was not
worth reproducing; therefore an entirely new map has been prepared to
show Japan as it was during those days. In the map of Sakhalin a dotted
line shows also the present division of the island between Russia and
Japan, because it was the old one.
The editor is under obligations to his friend, Dr. Wm. Elliot Griffis,
himself both an author and an authority on Japan and the Japanese, for
his Introduction to this volume. Dr. Griffis, in “The Mikado’s Empire,”
was the first to give in America a full account of the land and people
of Japan.
The numerous references here and there and the bibliographical list in
the Appendix ought to add considerably to the value of this edition.
Many of the old books on Japan are out of print and difficult of
access, but even those are included for the sake of any who may be so
fortunate as to have access thereto. A few books ought without fail
to be read in connection with this revision, because they give more
accurate information than was possible in Hildreth’s day. These are
“The Mikado’s Empire,” by Griffis, Rein’s “Japan” and “The Industries
of Japan,” Brinkley’s eight encyclopædic volumes on Japan, and “History
of Japan during the Earlier Century of Foreign Intercourse (1542-1651)”
by Murdock and Yamagata. Frequent references have been made to the
valuable papers in the Transactions of the Asiatic Society of Japan,
which are easily accessible in whole or in parts.
The bibliography is not complete, but contains the most important works
in English. More extensive and specific bibliographies may be found
in the editor’s “Handbook of Modern Japan,” Chamberlain’s “Things
Japanese,” and especially Wenckstern’s (revised) “Bibliography of
Japan.” Poole’s Index is also valuable. In the bibliography of this
edition of Hildreth it has not been practicable, in all cases, to
distinguish exactly between Old Japan and New Japan. There is still
so much of the old remaining in this transition period that some
writings of modern days may describe quite accurately conditions of
olden days. With the increased facilities of the present it is possible
to understand better the old conditions, especially as they were
stereotyped for several centuries.
The original title of Hildreth’s work, “Japan as it Was and Is,” was
proper in 1855 and 1856, but it is rather unsuitable in its entirety
fifty years later. However, this revision of Hildreth, together with
the editor’s “Handbook of Modern Japan,” may not unwarrantably be
considered to cover _Japan as it Was and Is_.
ERNEST WILSON CLEMENT.
TŌKYŌ, July 1, 1906.
FOREWORD
BY THE AUTHOR OF “THE MIKADO’S EMPIRE”
The first American teacher in Echizen (1870-1872) feels honored at the
request of the first American teacher in Mito (1887-1891) to write
for his revised and annotated edition of Hildreth’s “Japan” a few
words concerning the author and his book and his most recent editor’s
work. In the days of Townsend Harris and the premier Ii (1858), the
feudal lords of Mito and Echizen, besides being blood relatives, had
misunderstandings with the Yedo authorities, and, with unswerving
loyalty to the Emperor and the most patriotic of motives, were linked
together in strange experiences while manifesting a common desire to
promote their country’s good.
After so long a time the pioneer American educator in Echizen salutes
his fellow-worker who has done so much to make known to us the
illustrious character of the lords of the house of Mito as patrons of
literature and their unwearied devotion to the Imperial and national
cause. I am sure that we are both proud of having been the servants of
the Japanese people in helping to bring to pass that vision of Japan’s
greatness, so tangible in A. D. 1906, to which Hildreth looked, yet
died without ever seeing.
The personality of Richard Hildreth, the historian of the United States
and the unquailing opponent of African slavery in America, was one
of the very first that appealed to me when my own boyish literary
aspirations were first awakened. His intensely powerful novel, “Archy
Moore,” which had been published in 1837, reprinted in England and
again republished in the United States in 1852, under the title of “The
White Slave,” appeared just when Commodore Matthew C. Perry was making
his preparations to sail for Japan. Philadelphia was agog with interest
about the expedition, and many of her citizens were keenly interested,
among them my father, John L. Griffis, who, like my grandfather,
Captain John Griffis, had voyaged to the Philippines, China, and the
Far East. He had built a platform in his coalyard, which directly
adjoined the shiphouse and dock of the United States Navy Yard, wherein
was building the United States steam frigate “Susquehanna,” which later
in Japanese waters became the flagship of Commodore Perry. It is not
so many miles from the upper waters of this noble river of the three
States, New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, that this “foreword” is
written.
As a little boy, on the morning of April 6, 1850, at 8.35 A.M., I
saw the graceful “Susquehanna” slide down the ways, float on the
Delaware, and, like a bird of calm, “sit brooding on the charmèd
wave.” I remember how, when sitting on my father’s knee, he put me
down suddenly to rise and call for “three cheers for the future of the
‘Susquehanna.’” We could not then foresee what a noble part the frigate
was to play in the annals of both peace and war. She bore the olive
branch to Japan and she unchained her thunders in the destruction of
slavery.
Richard Hildreth of Massachusetts, author, journalist, economist, and
historian, was born in 1807. He graduated from Harvard College in 1826
and studied law in Newburyport, entering upon practice in Boston. He
left the law for journalism, and, as an editor of the “Boston Atlas,”
lifted up the moral world. In 1834, in poor health, he went South and,
in order to get unbiassed ideas, lived on a slave plantation to study
the workings of the system of unpaid African labor. It was during this
time that he wrote his famous novel, “Archy Moore, The White Slave.”
Returning North he became, with pen and voice, the tireless opponent
of slavery. From 1840 to 1848 Hildreth lived in Demerara, British
Guiana, editing two newspapers, in which he advocated the system of
free instead of slave labor, writing there also his “Theory of Morals”
and his “Theory of Politics.” In the perspective of history we can now
note clearly that he was one of the potent forces in destroying human
slavery in America, and in helping, as an ex-Confederate officer, now
president of the first Woman’s College in the Southern States, told me
a few days ago, “to emancipate eleven million white men.”
Hildreth’s “History of the United States,” though not of great literary
interest, is an amazingly honest picture of the real character of
the makers of the American Republic. He shows our fathers without
transfiguration of their virtues or disguise of their faults or errors.
How he came to write his book on Japan is told by him with sufficient
fulness in his own introduction. Those who know his book best are those
who appreciate it most.
It was while we were fellow-workers in the Imperial University in
Tokio, from 1872 to 1874, that Mr. Edward H. House, who afterwards
found a grave in the land he loved, gave me the details of Hildreth’s
life and personality. Mr. House had been engaged with Mr. Hildreth on
the staff of the “New York Tribune” from the completion of “Japan as
it Was and Is” until the inauguration of Abraham Lincoln. Instead of
appointing Hildreth as Minister to Japan, Mr. Lincoln did but follow
the precedents of political succession, since Perry, Harris, Van
Valkenburg, and Depew (who declined) were all citizens of the Empire
State, and hence nominated the Hon. Robert H. Pruyn of Albany. It was
my own beloved professor in Rutgers College, Dr. David Murray, also
a native of New York State, later chief adviser to the Educational
Department in Japan, who in Tokio first loaned me a copy of Hildreth’s
valuable compilation, and I studied it with care. Notable among the
many benefits which made the volume a boon to foreign students was the
discovery, with its aid, in May, 1872, by Mr. James Walter of Yokohama,
of the tomb of Will Adams at Yokosuka (p. 139).
Hildreth’s scarcely veiled satire on the ignorance of the Americans of
1852 concerning Japan in his “advertisement” is keen. None knew more
than he how steadily the Hollanders had maintained commercial relations
with the Japanese, had fertilized their minds for over two centuries,
and had finally paved the way for American success.
In gratitude to Professor Clement for his unwearied researches and
for his work as editor in this new presentation of the perennially
interesting volume of Hildreth, in commendation of the publishers for
issuing this uniquely valuable work, and in the faith that in its new
dress “Japan as it Was and Is” will receive a warm welcome at the hands
of the American public, we raise our cheer at this hopeful launch on
the waters of literature. How the spirit of Hildreth must rejoice at
free America and free Japan, with slavery and feudalism gone forever
and the two nations in mutually beneficial rivalry for the uplifting of
mankind.
WM. ELLIOT GRIFFIS.
ITHACA, N. Y., July 15, 1906.
JAPANESE PRONUNCIATION
_a_ like _a_ in _father_
_e_ ” _e_ ” _men_
_i_ ” _i_ ” _pin_
_o_ ” _o_ ” _pony_
_u_ ” _oo_ ” _book_
_ai_ as in _aisle_
_ei_ ” _weigh_
_au_ }
_ō_ } as _o_ in _bone_
_ū_ as _oo_ in _moon_
_i_ in the middle of a word and _u_ in the middle or at the end of a
word are sometimes almost inaudible.
The consonants are all sounded, as in English: _g_, however, has only
the hard sound, as in _give_, although the nasal _ng_ is often heard;
_ch_ and _s_ are always soft, as in _check_ and _sin_; and _z_ before
_u_ has the sound of _dz_. In the case of double consonants, each one
must be given its full sound.
There are as many syllables as vowels. There is practically no accent;
but care must be taken to distinguish between _o_ and _ō_, _u_ and _ū_,
of which the second is more prolonged than the first.
Be sure to avoid the flat sound of _a_, which is always pronounced
_ah_.
[Illustration: _The Japanese islands are studded by lofty volcanic
mountains, especially Nipon, which is traversed through its whole
length by a chain which forms the water shed of the island and the
highest peaks of which are covered with perpetual snow. There are seven
active volcanoes, three in Kiusiu and four in Nipon, besides four other
mountains sending out hot springs; along the coast there are several
burning islands, the rivers are numerous but short. The empire includes
eight great subdivisions, called Do, or Ways, viz.: 1. Saikaidō, west
sea way, nine provinces; 2. Nankaido, south sea way, six provinces;
3. Sanyodo, south mountain way, eight provinces; 4. Sanindo, north
mountain way, eight provinces; 5. Gokinaido, five provinces, imperial
domain; 6. Tōkaidō, east sea way, fifteen provinces; 7. Tosando,
east mountain way, eight provinces; 8. Hokurokudo, way of the north
districts, seven provinces. Tsu, Iki and Jezo are not included in this
arrangement._
_NOTE_
_In the pronunciation of Japanese names and words, and in their
representation in European letters, an n is frequently added at the
end of a syllable; as, Nangasaki for Nagasaki, Fingo for Figo, etc._
SKETCH MAP OF OLD JAPAN
Adapted from map in original edition of Hildreth]
JAPAN
AS IT WAS AND IS
CHAPTER I
_Earliest European Knowledge of Japan—Japanese Histories—Marco Polo’s
Account of the Mongol or Tartar Invasion—Accounts of the same Event
given by the Chinese and Japanese Annalists, A. D. 1281 or 1283._
The name JAPAN, pronounced in the country itself _Nippon_ or _Nihon_,
is of Chinese origin—in the Mandarin dialect _Jih-pun_, that is,
sun-source, or Eastern Country.
The first account of Japan, or allusion to its existence, to be found
in any European writer, is contained in the “Oriental Travels” of the
Venetian, Marco Polo, first reduced to writing in the Latin tongue,
about A. D. 1298, while the author was detained a prisoner of war at
Genoa. Zipangu, Zipangri, Cyampagu, Cimpagu, as different editions
of his work have it, is his method of representing the Chinese
_Jih-pun-quo_, sun-source kingdom, or kingdom of the source of the sun.
The Japanese chronicles go back for many centuries previous; but these
chronicles seem to be little more than a bare list of names and dates,
with some legendary statements interwoven, of which the authority does
not appear very weighty, nor the historical value very considerable.
Marco Polo resided for seventeen years (A. D. 1275-1292) at the court
of Kublai Khan (grandson of the celebrated Ghingis Khan,) and ruler,
from A. D. 1260 to A. D. 1294, over the most extensive empire which
the world has ever seen. This empire stretched across the breadth
of the old continent, from the Japanese, the Yellow, the Blue, and
the China Seas (embosoming the Caspian and the Black Seas), to the
Levant, the Archipelago, the river Dniester, and beyond it. Not content
with having added Anatolia and Russia to the western extremity of
this vast kingdom,—the Greek empire being reduced, at this moment,
to the vicinage of Constantinople and the western coasts of the
Archipelago,—Kublai Khan, after completing the conquest of Southern
China, sent an expedition against Japan; in which, however, the Mongols
were no more successful than they had been in their attempts, a few
years before, to penetrate through Hungary and Poland (which they
overran and ravaged, to the terror of all Europe) in Germany, whence
Teutonic valor repelled them.
The accounts given by Marco Polo, and by the Chinese and Japanese
annalists, of this expedition, though somewhat contradictory as to the
details, agree well enough as to the general result. As Marco Polo’s
account is short, as well as curious, we insert it at length, from the
English translation of his travels by Marsden, subjoining to it the
statements which we have of the same event derived from Chinese and
Japanese sources. We may add that Columbus was greatly stimulated to
undertake his western voyages of discovery by the constant study of
Marco Polo’s travels, confidently expecting to reach by that route the
Cathay and Zipangu of that author—countries for which he sedulously
inquired throughout the Archipelago of the West Indies, and along the
southern and western shores of the Caribbean Sea.
[Illustration: THE INVASION BY THE MONGOL TARTARS
From _Official History of Japan_]
“Zipangu,” says Marco Polo, “is an island in the eastern ocean,
situated at the distance of about fifteen hundred miles[3] from the
mainland, or coast of Manji.[4] It is of considerable size; its
inhabitants have fair complexions, are well made, and are civilized
in their manners. Their religion is the worship of idols. They are
independent of every foreign power, and governed only by their own
kings. They have gold in the greatest abundance, its sources being
inexhaustible; but as the king does not allow of its being exported,
few merchants visit the country, nor is it frequented by much shipping
from other parts. To this circumstance we are to attribute the
extraordinary richness of the sovereign’s palace, according to what
we are told by those who have access to the place. The entire roof is
covered with a plating of gold, in the same manner as we cover houses,
or, more properly, churches, with lead. The ceilings of the halls are
of the same precious metal; many of the apartments have small tables
of pure gold, considerably thick; and the windows, also, have golden
ornaments. So vast, indeed, are the riches of the palace, that it is
impossible to convey an idea of them. In this island there are pearls,
also, in large quantities, of a pink color, round in shape, and of
great size, equal in value to white pearls, or even exceeding them. It
is customary with one part of the inhabitants to bury their dead, and
with another part to burn them. The former have a practice of putting
one of these pearls into the mouth of the corpse. There are also found
there a number of precious stones.
“Of so great celebrity was the wealth of this island, that a desire
was excited in the breast of the grand Khan Kublai, now reigning, to
make the conquest of it, and to annex it to his dominions. In order
to effect this, he fitted out a numerous fleet, and embarked a large
body of troops under the command of two of his principal officers, one
of whom was named Abbacatan, and the other Vonsancin. The expedition
sailed from the ports of Zaitun and Kinsai,[5] and crossing the
intermediate sea, reached the island in safety; but, in consequence of
a jealousy that arose between the two commanders, one of whom treated
the plans of the other with contempt, and resisted the execution of his
orders, they were unable to gain possession of any city or fortified
place, with the exception of one only, which was carried by assault,
the garrison having refused to surrender. Directions were given for
putting the whole to the sword, and, in obedience thereto, the heads
of all were cut off except of eight persons, who, by the efficacy of a
diabolical charm, consisting of a jewel or amulet introduced into the
right arm, between the skin and the flesh, were rendered secure from
the effects of iron either to kill or to wound. Upon this discovery
being made, they were beaten with a heavy wooden club, and presently
died.
“It happened, after some time, that a north wind began to blow with
great force, and the ships of the Tartars, which lay near the shore
of the island, were driven foul of each other. It was determined
thereupon, in a council of the officers on board, that they ought to
disengage themselves from the land; and accordingly, as soon as the
troops were disembarked, they stood out to sea. The gale, however,
increased to so violent a degree, that a number of the vessels
foundered. The people belonging to them, by floating upon pieces of the
wreck, saved themselves upon an island, about four miles from the coast
of Zipangu. The other ships, which, not being so near to the land, did
not suffer from the storm, and on which the two chiefs were embarked,
together with the principal officers, or those whose rank entitled
them to command a hundred thousand or ten thousand men, directed their
course homeward, and returned to the grand Khan. Those of the Tartars
who remained upon the island where they were wrecked, and who amounted
to about thirty thousand men, finding themselves without shipping,
abandoned by their leaders, and having neither arms nor provision,
expected nothing less than to become captives or to perish; especially
as the island afforded no habitations where they could take shelter
and refresh themselves. As soon as the gale ceased, and the sea became
smooth and calm, the people from the main island of Zipangu came over
with a large force, in numerous boats, in order to make prisoners of
these shipwrecked Tartars; and, having landed, proceeded in search of
them, but in a straggling, disorderly manner. The Tartars, on their
part, acted with prudent circumspection; and, being concealed from view
by some high land in the centre of the island, whilst the enemy were
hurrying in pursuit of them by one road, made a circuit of the coast by
another, which brought them to the place where the fleet of boats was
at anchor. Finding these all abandoned, but with their colors flying,
they instantly seized them; and, pushing off from the island, stood
for the principal city of Zipangu, into which, from the appearance of
the colors, they were suffered to enter unmolested. Here they found
few of the inhabitants besides women, whom they retained for their own
use, and drove out all others. When the king was apprised of what had
taken place, he was much afflicted, and immediately gave directions
for a strict blockade of the city, which was so effectual that not any
person was suffered to enter or to escape from it during six months
that the siege continued. At the expiration of this time, the Tartars,
despairing of succor, surrendered upon the condition of their lives
being spared. This event took place in the course of the year 1264.”[6]
The above account Marco Polo no doubt derived from the Mongols, who
endeavored, as far as possible, to gloss over with romantic and
improbable incidents a repulse that could not be denied. The Chinese
annalists, who have no partiality for their Mongol conquerors, tell
a much less flattering story. According to their account, as given
by Père Amiot, in his “Mémoires concernant les Chinois,” the fleet
consisted of six hundred ships, fitted out in the provinces of
Kiang-nan, Fou-kien, Ho-nan, and Chan-tong. The army, sailing from
Corea, landed first on the island of Kuchi [?], whence they proceeded
to that of Tsushima, where they learned that the Japanese had long been
expecting them with a great army. On approaching the coast of Japan,
they encountered a furious tempest, which sunk their vessels; so that
of the whole army scarcely one or two in every ten persons escaped.
In the “Histoire Général de la China,” compiled by Father Malela from
Chinese sources, the story is thus told: “The sixth month (1281) Alahan
set out on the expedition against Japan; but scarcely had he reached
the port of embarkation when he died. Atahai, appointed to succeed him,
did not arrive till the fleet had already set sail. In the latitude of
the isle of _Pinghou_ [Hirado], it encountered a violent tempest, by
which most of the vessels were driven on shore. The officers, selecting
those least damaged, themselves returned, leaving behind them in
that island more than a hundred thousand men. The soldiers, finding
themselves thus abandoned, chose a leader, and set themselves to work
to cut down trees to build new vessels, in which to escape. But the
Japanese, apprised of their shipwreck, made a descent upon the island
with a powerful army, and put them to the sword. They spared only ten
or twelve thousand Chinese soldiers, of whom they made slaves; and, of
the whole formidable invading army, hardly three persons returned to
China.”
Father Gaubil, in his “Histoire de la Dynastie des Mongoux,” compiled
also from Chinese sources, states the number of Chinese and Corean
prisoners at eighty thousand, and of the Mongols who were slain at
thirty thousand.
Kämpfer, in his elaborate work on Japan, gives the following as from
the Japanese chronicles, _Nippon Ōdaiki_, and _Nippon Ōkeizu_: “Go-Uda
succeeded his father in the year of Jimmu 1985, of Christ 1275.”
“In the ninth year of his reign, the Tartar general, Mōko, appeared
on the coasts of Japan, with a fleet of four thousand sail, and two
hundred and forty thousand men. The then reigning Tartarian emperor,
Lifsu [Kublai Khan], after he had conquered the empire of China, sent
this general to subdue also the empire of Japan. But this expedition
proved unsuccessful. The _Kami_, that is, the gods of the country,
and protectors of the Japanese empire, were so incensed at the insult
offered them by the Tartars, that, on the first day of the seventh
month, they excited a violent and dreadful storm, which destroyed all
this reputed invincible armada. Mōko himself perished in the waves, and
but few of his men escaped.”
[Illustration: ENTRANCE TO THE TEMPLE OF JIMMU TENNŌ]
Siebold, in his recently published “Archives of Japan,” gives the
following as the account of this invasion contained in the esteemed
Japanese chronicle, _Nikongi_:[7] “So soon as Kublai Khan had
ascended the Mogul throne, he turned his eyes upon distant Japan.
This nation, like _Kaou-le_ (one of the kingdoms of Corea), must
become tributary. Accordingly, in the year 1268,[8] he summoned the
ruler of Nippon to acknowledge his sovereignty. No notice was taken of
this summons, nor of others in 1271 and 1273, the Mongol envoys being
not admitted to an audience, but always dismissed by the governor of
Dazaifu. Hereupon a Mongol fleet, with a Corean contingent, appeared
off Tsushima [a small island half-way from Corea to Japan]. The Mikado
[ecclesiastical sovereign] appointed prayer days, but the Shōgun [the
temporal sovereign] had previously made along the coast every necessary
preparation for defence. The hostile army did not venture upon a
decisive attack. Its movements were governed neither by energy nor by
consistency; and after hovering about a while, without any apparent
definite purpose, the squadron disappeared from the Japanese seas,
merely committing some hostilities upon Kiūshiū at its departure.”
A Japanese encyclopædia, of quite recent date, quoted in Siebold’s
work, besides giving Kublai Khan’s letter of summons, asserts that
the Mongol fleet was met and defeated, after which, other Mongol
envoys being sent to Japan, they were summoned into the presence of
the Shōgun, by whom a decree was promulgated that no Mongol should
land in Japan under pain of death. And it is even pretended that
under this decree the persons composing two subsequent missions sent
by Kublai Khan, in 1276 and 1279, were all put to death. This was
followed, according to the same authority, by the appearance of a new
Mongol-Corean fleet, in 1281, off the island of Hirado. This fleet
was destroyed by a hurricane. Those who escaped to the shore were
taken prisoners and executed, only three being saved to carry to
Kublai Khan the news of this disaster. All these additions, however,
to the story—the letter of Kublai Khan, the murder of the ambassadors,
and the double invasion—may safely enough be set down as Japanese
inventions.[9]