The Awakening of Japan/Publishers' Preface
Okakura-Kakuzo, the author of this work and of "The Ideals of the East," was born in the year 1863. Having been, as he has said, "from early youth fond of old things," after leaving college in 1880 he interested himself in the formation of clubs and societies for archaeological research. The Japanese Renaissance, begun at the end of the eighteenth century, suffered a brief check during the civil commotion following the opening of the country after the arrival of the American Commodore Perry. The work of Okakura was a resumption of that begun by the earlier scholars.
In 1886 this scholarly young enthusiast was sent to America and Europe as a commissioner to report on Western art education. On returning, he organized the Imperial Art School of Tokio, of which he was made director. He was also one of the chief organizers, and is still a member, of the Imperial Archzological Commission, whose duty it is to study, classify, and preserve the ancient architecture, the archives of the monasteries, and all specimens of ancient art.
Okakura was, naturally, one of the promoters of the reactionary movement against the wholesale introduction of Western art and manners. This movement was carried on by the starting of periodicals and clubs devoted to the preservation of the old life of Japan,—the work being carried on, also, in the field of literature and the drama.
In 1898 he resigned the directorship of the Imperial Art School at Tokio, having had some difference with the educational authorities in the matter of the course of instruction to be pursued therein. Nearly one half of the faculty resigned at the same time, and started, in a suburb of Tokio, a private academy called Nippon Bijitsuin. Here are kept up the ancient traditions of native art.
Simultaneously with the foundation of this school of instruction, a number of prominent painters of the national school of art in various parts of the country organized the Society of Japanese Painters, of which the president is Prince Nijo,—the head of the Fujiwara family and uncle of the crown princess,—Okakura being elected vice-president.
It is proper to state that the present work, like "The Ideals of the East," is not a translation, but is written by its Japanese author originally in English. This work is based not merely upon printed material and common hearsay, but upon information derived through the author's special acquaintance with surviving actors in the Restoration.
In "The Awakening of Japan" the author answers with profound knowledge, great vividness of expression, and intense patriotism the question now uppermost in the minds of Western observers: From what sources are drawn the intellectual and moral qualities which have enabled the present generation of statesmen, citizens, soldiers, and sailors, under an able emperor, to enter suddenly, as a first-class liberal power, into the company of nations?
The author shows clearly and picturesquely that the accomplishments of the New Japan are the natural outcome of her history,—her religion, her art, her tradition. He declares that there is no "Yellow Peril"; that the empire, though warlike, stands not for aggression but for peace I He sketches the entire history of the country, but dwells particularly upon modern events and developments,—the opening of the long-closed door of the imprisoned nation by Commodore Perry, the restoration of the Mikado to power, the new regime, the occasion of the war of 1904. He essays an answer to the anxious query of the admirers of the art of Japan: Will Japan's modern successes lead to the loss of its ancient and distinctive art? He indicates some of the tendencies which may affect the future of the Orient; and he speaks especially of the Christian attitude toward woman as an influence upon the society and civilization of Japan.