Page:Japan by the Japanese (1904).djvu/536

It is but thirty-five years since the government of Japan was in the hands of the Tokugawa Clan, and the country was divided into over 270 small independent States, each under the semi-military rule of a feudal lord holding his authority from the Imperial Court.

The legal system to-day is vastly different from what it was then. The change has been gradual, and the successive stages of development may be traced in the history of the country during the past three decades. In the main, the present enlightened system is derived from Occidental nations, but the power of assimilating Occidental ideas Japan owes to nobody; it is the native genius of her people.

Two thousand five hundred and sixty-two years have passed since the inauguration of Jimmu-Tenno, founder of the Empire of Japan. Throughout that long period of time the nationality of Japan has remained intact, notwithstanding the vicissitudes of government through which she has passed. At times the real governing power has been transferred to the hands of subjects, yet they have always held that power as commissioners of the ruling Sovereign, and from the very foundation of the empire the distinction between Sovereign and subject has been clearly preserved.

In the ancient records is to be found a decree which Ama Terasu Omi Kami (Great Goddess of Heavenly Light), an ancestress of Jimmu-Tenno, addressed to her grandson: ‘This fine rice-producing country is destined to be the kingdom in which our descendants shall reign; you, grandson, fix your station and reign thereover.’ Ama Terasu Omi Kami was named also Hatsu Kumi Shirasu Tenno, or First Reigning Empress. Prince Yamato-take-no-Mikoto (died A.D. 13) said: ‘I am a son of the Emperor Otarashi-hiko-Oshiro-Wake, who resided in the palace of Hishiro at Makimuku, and who governs