A Handbook of Modern JapanClement, Ernest W. (Ernest Wilson)
History
A Handbook of Modern Japan
Clement, Ernest W. (Ernest Wilson)
Japan
This is a fair illustration of the condition of affairs
in Japan at the beginning of the twentieth century. There is a heathen
body, for the great mass of the Japanese (many millions) still cling
to the old faiths. But there is a Christian head, because the leaders
of New Japan are favorable to Christianity and its institutions, and
are reconstructing the nation largely on Christian lines and with
Christian ideals. And there is Christian life at the heart, for it is
that life, as shown in the preceding pages, which is inspiring Japan
with new ideas and ideals. And when we take into consideration how much
Christianity has done for Japan in less than fifty years, we feel quite
warranted in prophesying that within this twentieth century Japan will
become practically a Christian nation.
BIBLIOGRAPHY.
Those specially interested should not fail to consult “The Gist of
Japan” (Peery); “Christianity in Modern Japan” (Clement); “Japan and
its Regeneration” (Cary); “Dux Christus: An Outline Study of Japan”;
“The Religions of Japan,” “Verbeck of Japan,” and “A Maker of the
New Orient” (all by Griffis); and “Sunrise in the Sunrise Kingdom”
(De Forest). The “Proceedings” of the Osaka and the Tōkyō Missionary
Conferences, and Ritter’s “History of Protestant Missions in Japan”
are very valuable. “From Far Formosa” (Mackay) tells of wonderful
pioneer work there. For current news, the “Japan Evangelist,” a
monthly magazine published by the Methodist Publishing House, Tōkyō,
is the best.
The pamphlet entitled “The Christian Movement [in its Relation to the
New Life] in Japan,” issued annually by the Standing Committee of
Coöperating Christian Missions, is most instructive.
On early Catholicism, the “History of Japan,” by Murdoch and
Yamagata, is invaluable.
The authoritative work is Cary’s “History of Christianity in Japan”
(2 vols.).
CHAPTER XX
TWENTIETH CENTURY JAPAN
OUTLINE OF TOPICS: Japan in 1801 and 1901; eras; Emperor
and Court; Shōgun.—Sealed and wide-open Japan.—Travel and
barriers.—Social changes.—_Samurai._—Ideals of 1801 and
1901.—Costume.—Architecture.—Diet.—Education.—Newspapers.—Manufactures.
—Status of woman.—Christianity.—Permanent transformations.—Prophecy.
In order to understand as clearly as possible the progress made by New
Japan during the past fifty years, it will be profitable to institute
some comparisons between conditions then and now. As a matter of fact
the greater part of this wonderful advancement was achieved during the
last third of the nineteenth century; but it suits our purpose better
to compare 1801 and 1901, the first years of the two centuries. Thus
can we appreciate fully with how much difference in conditions and
prospects Japan has entered upon the twentieth century than she entered
upon the nineteenth century.
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