TŌKYŌ, May, 1902.
DEAR FRIENDS,--I am a little disappointed in being able to send
you to-day only "Kokoro" and "Gleanings in Buddha-Fields"--these being
the only books of mine, not in your possession, that I could lay hands
on. However, they are the best of the earlier lot; and I imagine that
you will be interested especially in the latter. Japan is changing so
quickly that already some of the essays in "Kokoro"--such as the "Genius
of Japanese Civilization"--have become out-of-date. By the way, have you
seen Bellesort's "La Société Japonaise?"--a wonderful book, considering
that its author passed only about six months in Japan!
A few days ago I had the delightful surprise of your album-gift: I have
lived in Finland! It is very strange that some of the pictures are
exactly what I dreamed of--after reading the "Kalewala." In fact, the
book illustrates the "Kalewala" for me: even the weird expression in
the eyes of the old Kantele-singers seems to me familiar. Of course,
the views of city streets and splendid buildings were all surprises and
revelations; but the hills and woods and lakes looked like the Finland
of my reveries. Of all the views, that of Tmatia seemed to me most like
the scenery of the Runoia: there was something in it of _déjà vu_, most
ghostly, that gave me particular delight. My affectionate thanks to you
both. I shall ever treasure the book and remember the kind givers.