Christ and Japan

CHRIST AND JAPAN by TOYOHIKO KAGAWA Originally published in 1934. Translator’s Preface: This volume contains penetrating insights and illuminating Interpretations of the Japanese mind and heart by one who has plumbed both and knows his fellow-nationals as few know them. The creative process back of this book opens a window into Dr. Kagawa’s technique as a writer. Impaired eyesight, periodically bordering on blindness, makes both reading and writing impos sible. For six months, in the midst of a program which would drive most men to distraction, he somehow found time to mull over this production* and then, for ten terrific days and nights, with his whole personality aflame, he dictated it to his Japa nese amanuensis. The translator has striven to convey to the Eng lish reader the message and the mood o the author. The effort to lure the English language into giving adequate expression to the scintillating thoughts and the glowing soul of the writer, has been an agonizing yet fascinating task. Dr. Kagawa has ap proved of the English text in Its final form. WILLIAM AXLING. Contents include: CHRIST CLAIMS JAPAN: A Prologue 3 I. JAPAN AND THE JAPANESE 7 II. STRONG AND WEAK FEATURES OF JAPANESE CHARACTER 20 III. THE JAPANESE SPIRIT IN THE MODERN WORLD 42 IV. THE RELIGIOUS LIFE OF THE JAPANESE 72 V. JAPAN NEEDS CHRIST 104 VI. GIVE CHRIST A CHANCE! 120 Index 143. Christ and Japan. Prologue: realm Inviolate. It Is an astounding story, but In Japan’s centuries-long history not one of her myriad Islands has passed Into the possession of an alien hand or land. This genius for preservation has unfortunately Included the bad as well as the good. In the same careful way she has preserved the world-wide system of public prostitution, the deadly syphilis brought by the Portuguese traders, the curse-laden liquor and the sin which has reigned since Adam’s day. But must Japan preserve these vices forever? Must the sword which the samurai so proudly bore for ever be In evidence? Must the brothel, the saloon, the penitentiary, and oppressive police power for ever remain in the picture? O Japan! Eternal love keeps calling! Petulant Japan! Isolated Japan! Abandon your sulky mood and kneel before the God of Infinite love. In your effort to rid yourself of sin and to sanctify your soul you, too, must go by the way of the cross. Christ opened a way of salvation even for Japan. Yes! Though the whole wide world forsakes her, Christ, the reveal er of eternal love, will never cease to woo Japan until he wins, Japan Is famishing for love. Love, God’s love, can only be found and fathomed in Christ. He has laid siege to Japan’s soul, and she belongs to him. The cruelties which for three hundred years char acterized the persecutions under the Tokugawa Shogunate can hardly be paralleled in the history of mankind. Yet, when the Shogunate fell and the Meiji government proclaimed freedom for the propagation of the gospel, over twenty thousand Christians came triumphantly forth from hidden islands and secluded villages. Japan had not turned her back on Christ. Japan possesses a mysterious power of preserving values. Confucianism has all but perished In China, the land of Its birth. But, In Japan, it Is still a vital force. Buddhism has fallen into decay In India where It was cradled. With us It has flowered into new life. [ 3]