Towards the end of this legendary15 period, a figure comes into view that for heroic qualities cannot be excelled in the annals of any nation,—Jingo Kōgō, the conqueror[140] of Corea, who alone, among the nine female rulers of Japan, has made an era in the national history. She seems to have been from the beginning, like Jeanne D'Arc, a hearer of divine voices; and through her was conveyed to her unbelieving husband a divine command, to take ship and sail westward16 to the conquest of an unknown land. Her husband questioned the authenticity17 of the message, took the earthly and practical view that, as there was no land to be seen in the westward, there could be no land there, and refused to organize any expedition in fulfillment of the command; but for his unbelief was sternly told that he should never see the land, but that his wife should conquer it for the son whom she should bear after the father's death. This message from the gods was fulfilled. The Emperor died in battle shortly after, and the Empress, after suppressing the rebellion in which her husband had been killed, proceeded to organize an expedition for the conquest of the unknown land beyond the western sea. By as many signs as those required by Gideon to assure himself of his divine mission, the Empress tested the call that had come to her, but at last, satisfied[141] that the voices were from Heaven, she gave her orders for the collection of troops and the building of a navy. I quote from Griffis the inspiring words with which she addressed her generals: "The safety or destruction of our country depends upon this enterprise. I intrust the details to you. It will be your fault if they are not carried out. I am a woman and young. I shall disguise myself as a man, and undertake this gallant18 expedition, trusting to the gods and to my troops and captains. We shall acquire a wealthy country. The glory is yours, if we succeed; if we fail, the guilt19 and disgrace shall be mine." What wonder that her captains responded to such an appeal, and that the work of recruiting and shipbuilding began with a will! It was a long preparation that was required—sometimes, to the impatient woman, it seemed unnecessarily slow—but by continual prayer and offerings she appealed to the gods for aid; and at last all was ready, and the brave array of ships set sail for the unknown shore, the Empress feeling within her the new inspiration of hope for her babe as yet unborn. Heaven smiled upon them from the start. The clearest of skies, the most[142] favoring of breezes, the smoothest of seas, favored the god-sent expedition; and tradition says that even the fishes swarmed20 in shoals about their keels, and carried them on to their desired haven21. The fleet ran safely across to southern Corea, but instead of finding battles and struggles awaiting them, the king of the country met them on the beach to receive and tender allegiance to the invaders22, whose unexpected appearance from the unexplored East had led the natives to believe that their gods had forsaken23 them. The expedition returned laden24 with vast wealth, not the spoil of battle, but the peaceful tribute of a bloodless victory; and from that time forward Japan, through Corea, and later by direct contact with China itself, began to receive and assimilate the civilization, arts, and religions of China. Thus through a woman Japan received the start along the line of progress which made her what she is to-day, for the sequel of Jingo Kōgō's Corean expedition was the introduction of almost everything which we regard as peculiar25 to civilized26 countries. With characteristic belittling27 of the woman and exalting28 of the man, the whole martial29 career of the[143] Empress is ascribed to the influence of her son as yet unborn,—a son who by his valor and prowess has secured for his deified spirit the position of God of War in the Japanese pantheon. We should say that pre-natal influences and heredity produced the heroic son; the Japanese reason from the other end, and show that all the noble qualities of the mother were produced by the influence of the unborn babe.
With the introduction of literature, art, and Buddhism30, a change took place in the relations of the court to the people. About the Emperor's throne there gathered not only soldiers and governors, but the learned, the accomplished31, the witty32, the artistic33, who found in the Emperor and the court nobles munificent34 patrons by whom they were supported, and before whom they laid whatever pearls they were able to produce. The new culture sought not the clash of arms and the shout of soldiers, but the quiet and refinement of palaces and gardens far removed from the noise and clamor of the world. And while emperors sought to encourage the new learning and civilization, and to soften35 the warlike qualities of the people about them, there was a frontier[144] along which the savages36 still made raids into the territory which the Japanese had wrested37 from them, and which it required a strong arm and a quick hand to guard for the defense38 of the people. But the Emperor gradually gave up the personal leadership in war, and passed the duty of defending the nation into the hands of one or another of the great noble families. The nobles were not by any means slow to see the advantage to be gained for themselves by the possession of the military power in an age when might made right, even more than it does to-day, and when force, used judiciously39 and with proper deference40 to the prejudices of the people, could be made to give to its possessor power even over the Emperor himself. And so gradually, in the pursuit of the new culture and the new religion, the emperors withdrew themselves more and more into seclusion41, and the court became a little world in itself,—a centre of culture and refinement into which few excitements of war or politics ever came. While the great nobles wrangled42 for the possession of the power, schemed and fought and turned the nation upside down; while the heroes of the country [145]rose, lived, fought, and died,—the Emperor, amid his ladies and his courtiers, his priests and his literary men, spent his life in a world of his own; thinking more of this pair of bright eyes, that new and charming poem, the other witty saying of those about him, than of the kingdom that he ruled by divine right; and retiring, after ten years or so of puppet kinghood, from the seclusion of his court to the deeper seclusion of some Buddhist43 monastery44.
Within the sacred precincts of the court, much time was given to such games and pastimes as were not too rude or noisy for the refinement that the new culture brought with it. Polo, football, hunting with falcons45, archery, etc., were exercises not unworthy of even the most refined of gentlemen, and certain noble families were trained hereditarily47 in the execution of certain stately, antique dances, many of them of Chinese or Corean origin. The ladies, in trailing garments and with flowing hair, reaching often below the knees, played a not inconspicuous part, not only because of their beauty and grace, but for their quickness of wit, their learning in the classics,[146] their skill in repartee48, and their quaint49 fancies, which they embodied50 in poetic51 form.[26]
Much attention was given to that harmony of art with nature that the Japanese taste makes the sine qua non of all true artistic effort. The gorgeously embroidered52 gowns must change with the changing season, so that the cherry succeeds the plum, the wistaria the cherry, and so on through the whole calendar of flowers, upon the silken robes of the court, as regularly as in the garden that graces the palace grounds. And so with the confectionery, which in Japan is made in dainty imitation of flowers and fruits. The chrysanthemum53 blooms in sugar no earlier than[147] on its own stalk; the little golden orange, with its dark green leaves, is on the confectioner's list in winter, when the real orange is yellow on its tree. The very decorations of the palace must be changed with the changing of the months; and kakémono and vase are alternately stored in the kura and brought out to decorate the room, according as their designs seem in harmony with the mood of Nature. This effort to harmonize Nature and Art is seen to-day, not only in the splendid furnishings of the court, but all through the decorative54 art of Japan. In every house the decorations are changed to suit the changing seasons.
Through the years when Japan was adopting the civilization of China, a danger threatened the nation,—the same danger that threatens it to-day: it was the danger lest the adoption55 of so much that was foreign should result in a servile copying of all that was not Japanese, and lest the introduction of literature, art, and numerous hitherto unknown luxuries should take from the people their independence, patriotism57, and manliness58. But this result was happily avoided; and at a time when the language was in danger of being swept[148] almost out of existence by the introduction of Chinese learning through Chinese letters, the women of Japan, not only in their homes and conversation, but in the poetry and lighter59 literature of the country, preserved a strain of pure and graceful60 Japanese, and produced some of the standard works of a distinctly national literature. Favor at court to-day, as in the olden times, is the reward, not of mere rank, beauty, and grace of person, but must be obtained through the same intellectual endowments, polished by years of education, that made so many women famous in the medi?val history of Japan. Many court ladies have read much of their national literature, so that they are able to appreciate the bonmots which contain allusions61 in many cases to old poems, or plays on words; and are able to write and present to others, at fitting times, those graceful but untranslatable turns of phrase which form the bulk of Japanese poetry.[27] Even[149] in this busy era of Méiji,[28] the Emperor and his court keep up the old-time customs, and strive to promote a love of the beautiful poetry of Japan. At each New Year some subject appropriate to the time is chosen and publicly announced. Poems may be written upon this subject by any one in the whole realm, and may be sent to the palace before a certain date fixed62 as the time for closing the list of competitors. All the poems thus sent are examined by competent judges, who select the best five and send them to the Emperor, an honor more desired by the writers than the most favorable of reviews or the largest of emoluments63 are desired by American poets. Many of the other poems are published in the newspapers. It is interesting to note that many of the prominent men and women of the country are known as competitors, and that many of the court ladies join in the contest.
There are also, at the palace, frequent meetings of the poets and lovers of poetry[150] connected with the court. At these meetings poems are composed for the entertainment of the Emperor and Empress, as well as for the amusement of the poets themselves.
In the school recently established for the daughters of the nobles, under the charge of the imperial household, much attention is given to the work of thoroughly64 grounding the scholars in the Japanese language and literature, and also to making them skillful in the art of composing poetry. At the head of the school, in the highest position held by any woman in the employ of the government, is a former court lady, who is second to none in the kingdom, not only in her knowledge of all that belongs to court etiquette65, but in her study of the history and literature of her own people, and in her skill in the composition of these dainty poems. A year or two ago, when one of the scholars in the school died after a brief decline, her schoolmates, teachers, and school friends wrote poems upon her death, which they sent to the bereaved66 parents.
It is difficult for any Japanese, much more so for a foreigner, to penetrate67 into[151] the seclusion of the palace and see anything of the life there, except what is shown to the public in the occasional entertainments given at court, such as formal receptions and dinner parties. In 1889, the new palace, built on the site of the old Tokugawa Castle, burnt seventeen years ago, was finally completed; and it was my privilege to see, before the removal of the court, not only the grand reception rooms, throne-room, and dining-room, but also the private apartments of the Emperor and Empress. The palace is built in Japanese style, surrounded by the old castle moats, but there are many foreign additions to the palace and grounds. It is heated and lighted in foreign style, and the larger rooms are all furnished after the magnificent manner of European palaces; while the lacquer work, carvings68, and gorgeous paneled ceilings remind one of the finest of Japanese temples. The private apartments of the Emperor and Empress are, on the other hand, most simple, and in thorough Japanese style; and though the woodwork and polished floors of the corridors are very beautiful, the paintings and lacquer work most exquisite69, [152]there is little in this simplicity70 to denote the abode71 of royalty72. It seems that their majesties73, though outwardly conforming to many European customs, and to the European manner of dress, prefer to live in Japanese ways, on matted, not carpeted floors, reposing74 on them rather than on chairs and bedsteads.[*]
Their apartments are not large; each suite75 consisting of three rooms opening out of each other, the Empress's rooms being slightly smaller than the Emperor's, and those of the young Prince Haru, the heir apparent, again a little smaller. The young prince has a residence of his own, and it is only on his visits that he occupies his apartments in his father's palace. There are also rooms for the Empress dowager to occupy on her occasional visits. All of these apartments are quite close together in one part of the palace, and are connected by halls; but the private rooms of the court ladies are in an entirely76 separate place, quite removed, and only connected with the main building by a long, narrow passageway, running through the garden. There, in the rooms assigned to them, each one has her own[153] private establishment, where she stays when she is not on duty in attendance on the Emperor and Empress. Each lady has her own servants, and sometimes a younger sister or a dependent may be living there with her, though they are entirely separate from the court and the life there, and must never be seen in any of the other parts of the building. In these rooms, which are like little homes in themselves, cooking and housekeeping are done, entirely independent of the other parts of the great palace; and the tradesmen find their way through some back gate to these little establishments, supplying them with all the necessaries of life, as well as the luxuries.
A court lady is a personage of distinction, and lives in comparative ease and luxury, with plenty of servants to do all the necessary work. Besides her salary, which of course varies with the rank and the duties performed, but is always liberal enough to cover the necessary expenses of dress, the court lady receives many presents from the Emperor and Empress, which make her position one of much luxury.
The etiquette of the imperial household[154] is very complicated and very strict, though many of the formalities of the olden times have been given up. The court ladies are models of conservatism. In order to be trained for the life there and its duties, they usually enter the court while mere children of ten or eleven, and serve apprenticeship77 to the older members. In the rigid78 seclusion of the palace they are strictly79, almost severely80, brought up, and trained in all the details of court etiquette. Cut off from all outside influences while young, the little court maidens81 are taught to go through an endless round of formalities which they are made to think indispensable. These details of etiquette extend not only to all that concerns the imperial household, but to curious customs among themselves, and in regard to their own habits. Many of these ideas have come down from one generation to another, within the narrow limits of the court, so that the life there is a curious world in itself, and very unlike that in ordinary Japanese homes.
But among all the ladies of Japan to-day,—charming, intellectual, refined, and lovely as many of them are,—there is no[155] one nobler, more accomplished, more beautiful in life and character, than the Empress herself. The Emperor of Japan, though he may have many concubines, may have but one wife, and she must be chosen out of one of the five highest noble families.[29] Haru Ko, of the noble family of Ichijō, became Empress in the year 1868, one year after her husband, then a boy of seventeen, had ascended82 the throne, and the very year of the overthrow83 of the Shōgunate,[30] and the restoration of the Emperor [156]to actual power and the leading part in the government. Reared amid the deep and scholarly seclusion of the old court at Kyōto, the young Empress found herself occupying a position very different from that for which she had been educated,—a position the duties and responsibilities of which grow more multifarious as the years go by. Instead of a life of rigid seclusion, unseeing and unseen, the Empress has had to go forth84 into the world, finding there the pleasures as well as the duties of actual leadership. With the removal of the court to Tōkyō, and the reappearance of the Emperor, in bodily form, before his people, there came new opportunities for the Empress, and nobly has she used them. From the time when, in 1871, she gave audience to the five little girls of the samurai class who were just setting forth on a journey to America, there to study and fit themselves to play a part in the Japan of the future, on through twenty years of change[157] and progress, the Empress Haru Ko has done all that lay within her power to advance the women of her country.[*] Many stories are afloat which show the lovable character of the woman, and which have given her an abiding85 place in the affections of the people.
Some years ago, when the castle in Tōkyō was burned, and the Emperor and Empress were obliged to take refuge in an old daimiō's house, a place entirely lacking in luxuries and considerably86 out of repair, some one expressed to her the grief that all her people felt, that she should have to put up with so many inconveniences. Her response was a graceful little poem, in which she said that the narrowness of her abode would not limit her love for her people, and that for them she would endeavor to explore wisely the unlimited87 fields of knowledge.
Upon another occasion, when Prince Iwakura, one of the leaders of Japan in the early days of the crisis through which the country is still passing, lay dying at his home, the Empress sent him word that she was coming to visit him. The prince, afraid that he could not do honor to such[158] a guest, sent her word back that he was very ill, and unable to make proper preparation to entertain an Empress. To this the Empress replied that he need make no preparations for her, for she was coming, not as an Empress, but as the daughter of Ichijō, his old friend and colleague, and as such he could receive her. And then, setting aside imperial state and etiquette, she visited the dying statesman, and brightened his last hours with the thought of how lovely a woman stood as an example before the women of his beloved country.
Many of the charities and schools of new Japan are under the Empress's special patronage88; and this does not mean simply that she allows her name to be used in connection with them, but it means that she thinks of them, studies them, asks questions about them, and even practices little economies that she may have the more money to give to them. There is a charity hospital in Tōkyō, having in connection with it a training school for nurses, that is one of the special objects of her care. Last year she gave to it, at the end of the year, the savings89 from her own private allowance, and concerning this act[159] an editorial from the "Japan Mail" speaks as follows:—
"The life of the Empress of Japan is an unvarying routine of faithful duty-doing and earnest charity. The public, indeed, hears with a certain listless indifference90, engendered91 by habit, that her Majesty92 has visited this school, or gone round the wards14 at that hospital. Such incidents all seem to fall naturally into the routine of the imperial day's work. Yet to the Empress the weariness of long hours spent in classrooms or in laboratories, or by the beds of the sick, must soon become quite intolerable did she not contrive93, out of the goodness of her heart, to retain a keen and kindly94 interest in everything that concerns the welfare of her subjects. That her Majesty does feel this interest, and that it grows rather than diminishes as the years go by, every one knows who has been present on any of the innumerable occasions when the promoters of some charity or the directors of some educational institution have presented, with merciless precision, all the petty details of their projects or organizations for the examination of the imperial lady. The latest evidence of her[160] Majesty's benevolence95 is, however, more than usually striking. Since the founding of the Tōkyō Charity Hospital, where so many poor women and children are treated, the Empress has watched the institution closely, has bestowed96 on it patronage of the most active and helpful character, and has contributed handsomely to its funds. Little by little the hospital grew, extending its sphere of action and enlarging its ministrations, until the need of more capacious premises—a need familiar to such undertakings—began to be strongly felt. The Empress, knowing this, cast about for some means of assisting this project. To practice strict economy in her own personal expenses, and to devote whatever money might thus be saved from her yearly income to the aid of the hospital, appears to have suggested itself to her Majesty as the most feasible method of procedure. The result is, that a sum of 8,446 yen97, 90 sen, and 8 rin has just been handed over to Dr. Takagi, the chief promoter and mainstay of the hospital, by Viscount Kagawa, one of her Majesty's chamberlains. There is something picturesque98 about these sen and rin. They represent[161] an account minutely and faithfully kept between her Majesty's unavoidable expenses and the benevolent99 impulse that constantly urged her to curtail100 them. Such gracious acts of sterling101 effort command admiration102 and love."
Not very long ago, on one of her visits to the hospital, the Empress visited the children's ward13, and took with her toys, which she gave with her own hand to each child there. When we consider that this hospital is free to the poorest and lowest person in Tōkyō, and that twenty years ago the persons of the Emperor and Empress were so sacred in the eyes of the people that no one but the highest nobles and the near officials of the court could come into their presence,—that even these high nobles were received at court by the Emperor at a distance of many feet, and his face even then could not be seen,—when we think of all this, we can begin to appreciate what the Empress Haru has done in bridging the distance between herself and her people so that the poorest child of a beggar may receive a gift from her hand. In the country places to this day, there are peasants who yet believe that no one can[162] look on the sacred face of the Emperor and live.
The school for the daughters of the nobles, to which I have before referred, is an institution whose welfare the Empress has very closely at heart, for she sees the need of rightly combining the new and the old in the education of the young girls who will so soon be filling places in the court. At the opening of the school the Empress was present, and herself made a speech to the scholars; and her visits, at intervals103 of one or two months, show her continued interest in the work that she has begun. Upon all state occasions, the scholars, standing104 with bowed heads as if in prayer, sing a little song written for them by the Empress herself; and at the graduating exercises, the speeches and addresses are listened to by her with the profoundest interest. The best specimens105 of poetry, painting, and composition done by the scholars are sent to the palace for her inspection106, and some of these are kept by her in her own private rooms. When she visits the class-rooms, she does not simply pass in and pass out again, as if doing a formal duty, but sits for half an hour or so[163] listening intently, and watching the faces of the scholars as they recite. In sewing and cooking classes (for the daughters of the nobles are taught to sew and cook), she sometimes speaks to the scholars, asking them questions. Upon one occasion she observed a young princess, a newcomer in the school, working somewhat awkwardly with needle and thimble. "The first time, Princess, is it not?" said the Empress, smiling, and the embarrassed Princess was obliged to confess that this was her first experience with those domestic implements107.
Sometimes in her leisure hours—and they are rare in her busy life—the Empress amuses herself by receiving the little daughters of some imperial prince or nobleman, or even the children of some of the high officials. In the kindness of her heart, she takes great pleasure in seeing and talking to these little ones, some of whom are intensely awed108 by being in the presence of the Empress, while others, in their innocence109, ignorant of all etiquette, prattle110 away unrestrainedly, to the great entertainment of the court ladies as well as of the Empress herself. These visits[164] always end with some choice toy or gift, which the child takes home and keeps among her most valued treasures in remembrance of her imperial hostess. In this way the Empress relieves the loneliness of the great palace, where the sound of childish voices is seldom heard, for the Emperor's children are brought up in separate establishments, and only pay occasional visits to the palace, until they have passed early childhood.[31]
The present life of the Empress is not very different from that of European royalty. Her carriage and escort are frequently met with in the streets of Tōkyō as she goes or returns on one of her numerous visits of ceremony or beneficence. Policemen keep back the crowds of people who always gather to see the imperial carriage, and stand respectfully, but without demonstration111, while the horsemen carrying the imperial insignia, followed[165] closely by the carriages of the Empress and her attendants, pass by. The official Gazette announces almost daily visits by the Emperor, Empress, or other members of the imperial family, to different places of interest,—sometimes to various palaces in different parts of Tōkyō, at other times to schools, charitable institutions or exhibitions, as well as occasional visits to the homes of high officials or nobles, for which great preparations are made by those who have the honor of entertaining their Majesties.
Among the amusements within the palace grounds, one lately introduced, and at present in high favor, is that of horseback-riding, an exercise hitherto unknown to the ladies of Japan. The Empress and her ladies are said to be very fond of this active exercise,—an amusement forming a striking contrast to the quiet of former years.
The grounds about the palaces in Tōkyō are most beautifully laid out and cultivated, but not in that artificial manner, with regular flower beds and trees at certain equal distances, which is seen so often in the highly cultivated grounds of the rich in[166] this country. The landscape gardening of Japan keeps unchanged the wildness and beauty of nature, and imitates it closely. The famous flowers, however, are, in the imperial gardens, changed by art and cultivated to their highest perfection, blooming each season for the enjoyment112 of the members of the court. Especially is attention given to the cultivation113 of the imperial flower of Japan, the chrysanthemum; and some day in November, when this flower is in its perfection, the gates of the Akasaka palace are thrown open to invited guests, who are received in person by the Emperor and Empress. Here the rarest species of this favorite flower, and the oddest colors and shapes, the results of much care and cultivation, are exhibited in spacious114 beds, shaded by temporary roofs of bamboo twigs115 and decorated with the imperial flags. This is the great chrysanthemum party of the Emperor, and another of similar character is given in the spring under the flower-laden boughs116 of the cherry trees.
In these various ways the Empress shows herself to her people,—a gracious and lovely figure, though distant, as she needs[167] must be, from common, every-day life. Only by glimpses do the people know her, but those glimpses reveal enough to excite the warmest admiration, the most tender love. Childless herself, destined117 to see a child not her own, although her husband's, heir to the throne, the Empress devotes her lonely and not too happy life to the actual, personal study of the wants of daughters of her people, and side by side with Jingo,[32] the majestic118 but shadowy Empress of the past, should be enshrined in the hearts of the women of Japan the memory of Haru Ko, the leader of her countrywomen into that freer and happier life that is opening to them.
[168]
Each marks the beginning of a new era,—the first, of the era of civilization and morality founded upon the teachings of Buddha119 and Confucius; the second, of the civilization and morality that have sprung from the teachings of Christ. Buddhism and Confucianism were elevating and civilizing120, but failed to place the women of Japan upon even as high a plane as they had occupied in the old barbaric times. To Christianity they must look for the security and happiness which it has never failed to give to the wives and mothers of all Christian121 nations.[*]
Footnotes:
[25] The Japanese claim for their present Emperor direct descent from Jimmu Tenno, the Son of the Gods; and it is for this reason that the Emperor is supposed to be divine, and the representative of the gods on the earth. The dynasty, for about twenty-five hundred years since Jimmu Tenno, has never been broken. It must, however, be said in connection with this statement, that the Japanese family is a much looser organization than that known to our Western civilization, on account of the customs of concubinage and adoption, and that descent through family lines is not necessarily actual descent by blood.
[26] In ancient times, before the long civil wars of the Middle Ages, much attention was given by both men and women to poetry, and many of the classics of Japanese literature are the works of women. Among these distinguished122 writers can be mentioned Murasaki Shikibu, Seishō Nagon, and Iséno Taiyu, all court ladies in the time of the Emperor Ichijō (about 1000 A. D.). The court at that time was the centre of learning, and much encouragement was given by the Emperor to literary pursuits, the cultivation of poetry, and music. The Emperor gathered around him talented men and women, but the great works that remain are, strange to say, mostly those of women.
[27] The court ladies in immediate123 contact with the Emperor and Empress are selected from the daughters of the nobles. Only in the present reign56 have a few samurai women risen to high positions at court on account of special talents.
[28] Méiji (Enlightened Rule) is the name of the era that began with the present Emperor's accession to the throne. The year A. D. 1890 is the twenty-third year of Méiji, and would be so designated in all Japanese dates.
[29] The Empresses of Japan are not chosen from any branch of the imperial family, but from among the daughters of the five of the great kugé, or court nobles, who are next in rank to the imperial princes. The choice usually rests with the Emperor or his advisers124, and would be naturally given to the most worthy46, whether in beauty or accomplishments125. No doubt one reason why the Empress is regarded as far below the Emperor is, that she is not of royal blood, but one of the subjects of the Empire. In the old times, the daughters of the Emperor could never marry, as all men were far beneath them in rank. These usually devoted126 their lives to religion, and as Shintō priestesses or Buddhist nuns127 dwelt in the retirement128 of temple courts or the seclusion of cloisters129.
[30] Tokugawa Shōguns were the military rulers of the Tokugawa family, who held the power in Japan for a period of two hundred and fifty years. They are better known to Americans, perhaps, under the title of Tycoon130 (Great Prince), a name assumed, or rather revived, to impress the foreigners when Commodore Perry was negotiating in regard to treaties. The Shōgun held the daimiōs in forced subjection,—a subjection that was shaken in 1862, and broken at last in the year 1868, when, by the fall of the Shōgunate, the Emperor was restored to direct power over his people.
[31] The Emperor's children are placed, from birth, in the care of some noble or high official, who becomes the guardian131 of the child. Certain persons are appointed as attendants, and the child with its retinue132 lives in the establishment of the guardian, who is supposed to exercise his judgment133 and experience in the physical and mental training of the child.
[32] Jingo Kōgō, like many of the heroic, half mythical134 figures of other nations, has suffered somewhat under the assaults of the modern historical criticism. Many of the best Japanese historians deny that she conquered Corea; some go so far as to doubt whether she had right to the title of Empress; all are sure that much of romance has gathered about the figure of this brave woman; but to the mass of the Japanese to-day, she is still an actual historic reality, and she represents to them in feminine form the Spirit of Japan. Whether she conquered Corea or no, she remains135 the prominent female figure upon the border line where the old barbaric life merges136 into the newer civilization, just as the present Empress, Haru Ko, stands upon the border line between the Eastern and the Western modes of thought and life.
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refinement
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| n.文雅；高尚；精美；精制；精炼 | |
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promotion
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| n.提升，晋级；促销，宣传 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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hardy
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savage
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homage
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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solitude
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| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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enveloped
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| v.包围，笼罩，包住( envelop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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valor
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| n.勇气，英勇 | |
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valiant
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| adj.勇敢的，英勇的；n.勇士，勇敢的人 | |
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13
ward
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| n.守卫，监护，病房，行政区，由监护人或法院保护的人（尤指儿童）；vt.守护，躲开 | |
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wards
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| 区( ward的名词复数 )； 病房； 受监护的未成年者； 被人照顾或控制的状态 | |
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15
legendary
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| adj.传奇（中）的，闻名遐迩的；n.传奇（文学） | |
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16
westward
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| n.西方，西部；adj.西方的，向西的；adv.向西 | |
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authenticity
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| n.真实性 | |
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18
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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19
guilt
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| n.犯罪；内疚；过失，罪责 | |
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20
swarmed
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| 密集( swarm的过去式和过去分词 )； 云集； 成群地移动； 蜜蜂或其他飞行昆虫成群地飞来飞去 | |
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21
haven
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| n.安全的地方，避难所，庇护所 | |
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22
invaders
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| 入侵者，侵略者，侵入物( invader的名词复数 ) | |
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23
Forsaken
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| adj. 被遗忘的, 被抛弃的 动词forsake的过去分词 | |
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laden
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| adj.装满了的；充满了的；负了重担的；苦恼的 | |
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25
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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26
civilized
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| a.有教养的，文雅的 | |
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27
belittling
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| 使显得微小，轻视，贬低( belittle的现在分词 ) | |
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28
exalting
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| a.令人激动的，令人喜悦的 | |
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29
martial
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| adj.战争的，军事的，尚武的，威武的 | |
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30
Buddhism
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| n.佛教（教义） | |
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31
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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32
witty
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| adj.机智的，风趣的 | |
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33
artistic
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| adj.艺术(家)的，美术(家)的；善于艺术创作的 | |
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34
munificent
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| adj.慷慨的，大方的 | |
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35
soften
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| v.(使)变柔软；(使)变柔和 | |
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36
savages
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| 未开化的人，野蛮人( savage的名词复数 ) | |
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37
wrested
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| （用力）拧( wrest的过去式和过去分词 )； 费力取得； （从…）攫取； （ 从… ） 强行取去… | |
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38
defense
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| n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩 | |
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39
judiciously
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| adv.明断地，明智而审慎地 | |
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40
deference
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| n.尊重，顺从；敬意 | |
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41
seclusion
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| n.隐遁，隔离 | |
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42
wrangled
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| v.争吵，争论，口角( wrangle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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43
Buddhist
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| adj./n.佛教的，佛教徒 | |
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44
monastery
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| n.修道院，僧院，寺院 | |
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45
falcons
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| n.猎鹰( falcon的名词复数 ) | |
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46
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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47
hereditarily
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| 世袭地，遗传地 | |
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48
repartee
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| n.机敏的应答 | |
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49
quaint
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| adj.古雅的，离奇有趣的，奇怪的 | |
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50
embodied
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| v.表现( embody的过去式和过去分词 )；象征；包括；包含 | |
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51
poetic
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| adj.富有诗意的，有诗人气质的，善于抒情的 | |
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52
embroidered
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| adj．绣花的 | |
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53
chrysanthemum
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| n.菊，菊花 | |
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54
decorative
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| adj.装饰的，可作装饰的 | |
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55
adoption
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| n.采用，采纳，通过；收养 | |
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56
reign
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| n.统治时期，统治，支配，盛行；v.占优势 | |
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57
patriotism
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| n.爱国精神，爱国心，爱国主义 | |
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58
manliness
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| 刚毅 | |
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59
lighter
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| n.打火机，点火器；驳船；v.用驳船运送；light的比较级 | |
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60
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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61
allusions
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| 暗指，间接提到( allusion的名词复数 ) | |
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62
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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63
emoluments
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| n.报酬，薪水( emolument的名词复数 ) | |
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64
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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65
etiquette
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| n.礼仪，礼节；规矩 | |
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66
bereaved
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| adj.刚刚丧失亲人的v.使失去（希望、生命等）( bereave的过去式和过去分词)；（尤指死亡）使丧失（亲人、朋友等）；使孤寂；抢走（财物） | |
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67
penetrate
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| v.透(渗)入；刺入，刺穿；洞察，了解 | |
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68
carvings
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| n.雕刻( carving的名词复数 )；雕刻术；雕刻品；雕刻物 | |
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69
exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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70
simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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71
abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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72
royalty
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| n.皇家，皇族 | |
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73
majesties
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| n.雄伟( majesty的名词复数 )；庄严；陛下；王权 | |
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74
reposing
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| v.将（手臂等）靠在某人（某物）上( repose的现在分词 ) | |
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75
suite
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| n.一套(家具)；套房；随从人员 | |
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76
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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77
apprenticeship
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| n.学徒身份；学徒期 | |
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78
rigid
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| adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的 | |
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79
strictly
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| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
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80
severely
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|
| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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81
maidens
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| 处女( maiden的名词复数 )； 少女； 未婚女子； （板球运动）未得分的一轮投球 | |
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82
ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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83
overthrow
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| v.推翻，打倒，颠覆；n.推翻，瓦解，颠覆 | |
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84
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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85
abiding
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| adj.永久的，持久的，不变的 | |
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86
considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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87
unlimited
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| adj.无限的，不受控制的，无条件的 | |
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88
patronage
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| n.赞助，支援，援助；光顾，捧场 | |
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89
savings
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| n.存款，储蓄 | |
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90
indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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91
engendered
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| v.产生（某形势或状况），造成，引起( engender的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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92
majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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93
contrive
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| vt.谋划，策划；设法做到；设计，想出 | |
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94
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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95
benevolence
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| n.慈悲，捐助 | |
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96
bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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97
yen
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| n. 日元；热望 | |
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98
picturesque
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| adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的 | |
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99
benevolent
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| adj.仁慈的，乐善好施的 | |
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100
curtail
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| vt.截短，缩短；削减 | |
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101
sterling
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| adj.英币的(纯粹的，货真价实的)；n.英国货币(英镑) | |
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102
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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103
intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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104
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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105
specimens
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| n.样品( specimen的名词复数 )；范例；（化验的）抽样；某种类型的人 | |
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106
inspection
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| n.检查，审查，检阅 | |
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107
implements
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| n.工具( implement的名词复数 )；家具；手段；[法律]履行（契约等）v.实现( implement的第三人称单数 )；执行；贯彻；使生效 | |
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108
awed
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| adj.充满敬畏的，表示敬畏的v.使敬畏，使惊惧( awe的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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109
innocence
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| n.无罪；天真；无害 | |
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110
prattle
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| n.闲谈；v.（小孩般）天真无邪地说话；发出连续而无意义的声音 | |
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111
demonstration
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| n.表明，示范，论证，示威 | |
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112
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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113
cultivation
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| n.耕作，培养，栽培（法），养成 | |
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114
spacious
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| adj.广阔的，宽敞的 | |
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115
twigs
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| 细枝，嫩枝( twig的名词复数 ) | |
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116
boughs
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| 大树枝( bough的名词复数 ) | |
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117
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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118
majestic
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| adj.雄伟的，壮丽的，庄严的，威严的，崇高的 | |
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119
Buddha
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| n.佛；佛像；佛陀 | |
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120
civilizing
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| v.使文明，使开化( civilize的现在分词 ) | |
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121
Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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122
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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123
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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124
advisers
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| 顾问，劝告者( adviser的名词复数 )； （指导大学新生学科问题等的）指导教授 | |
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125
accomplishments
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| n.造诣；完成( accomplishment的名词复数 )；技能；成绩；成就 | |
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126
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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127
nuns
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| n.（通常指基督教的）修女， （佛教的）尼姑( nun的名词复数 ) | |
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128
retirement
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| n.退休，退职 | |
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129
cloisters
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| n.（学院、修道院、教堂等建筑的）走廊( cloister的名词复数 )；回廊；修道院的生活；隐居v.隐退，使与世隔绝( cloister的第三人称单数 ) | |
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130
tycoon
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| n.有钱有势的企业家，大亨 | |
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131
guardian
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| n.监护人；守卫者，保护者 | |
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132
retinue
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| n.侍从；随员 | |
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133
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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134
mythical
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| adj.神话的；虚构的；想像的 | |
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135
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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136
merges
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| （使）混合( merge的第三人称单数 )； 相融； 融入； 渐渐消失在某物中 | |
参考例句： |
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