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INTRODUCTION
ix

indispensable to the thorough student of Japan and the Japanese. Chamberlain's "Things Japanese"[1] is the most convenient for general reference, and is a small encyclopædia. "The Mikado's Empire,"[2] by Dr. Griffis, is a thesaurus of information about Japan and the Japanese.

After these, one may add to his Japanese library according to his special taste, although we think that Murray's "Story of Japan," also, should be in every one's hands. Then, if one can afford to get Rein's two exhaustive and thorough treatises, he is well equipped. And the "Transactions of the Asiatic Society of Japan" will make him quite a savant on Japanese subjects. It should be added, that those who have access to Captain Brinkley's monumental work of eight volumes on Japan will be richly rewarded with a mine of most valuable information by one of the best authorities. "Fifty Years of New Japan" is valuable and unique, because it is written by Japanese, each an authority in his department.[3] For the latest statistics, "The Japan Year Book" is invaluable.

We had intended, but finally abandoned the attempt, to follow strictly one system of transliteration. Such a course would require the correction of quotations, and seemed scarcely necessary. Indeed, the doctors still disagree, and have not yet positively settled upon a uniform method of transliteration.

  1. ↑ Fifth edition.
  2. ↑ Twelfth edition.
  3. ↑ If any are inclined to delve still more deeply into any of these topics, they will find farther references in the books in the lists, especially in "Things Japanese." And the most complete treatment of this subject is found in Wenckstern's "Bibliography of Japan." Poole's Index is also valuable.
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