THE ETHICS OF JAPAN. 307 



ascendency of the military class in the twelfth century. The ques- 

 tion now arises, AVhat is the actual state of ethics in Japan at present? 

 There is a new element which has been introduced into Japan in re- 

 cent 3'ears, and it is in the form of Christianity. The constitution 

 guarantees freedom of conscience, and therefore there is no hindrance 

 to the ])ropaa-ation of the Christian doctrine with its moral teaching, 

 and, as a matter of fact, there are a number of fJapanese who have 

 embraced that faith, but they are after all a very small minority coin- 

 j)ared with the number of the whole fra})anese population. The es- 

 sence of Ja})anese ethics is the same as existed prior to the new epoch, 

 Avith certain modifications actuated by the new force of the altered 

 conditions, which, after all, are onl}' in small details. I may say, in 

 a word, that the Japanese ideal ethics form an extension of Bushido 

 among the people at large from the nonextinct class of Bushi with 

 whom it originated. As to how they stand at present and how they 

 are inculcated among the pe()i)le at the present time, I must refer my 

 audience to an article entitled " Moral teaching of Japan," which was 

 contributed by me to the February number of The Xinteenth Century 

 and After. The sphere of the teaching is extensive, as is necessary 

 from the very nature of the matter, but its essence may be summed up 

 in a comparatively small compass. For this I can not do better than 

 quote a part of the so-called " Imperial Educational Eescript " given 

 to his ])eople bv the [)resent Emperor. It is quoted in my article to 

 which I have just referred, but I will i-ecite it once more: 



It is our desire that you, our subjects, be tilial to your parents and well 

 disposed to your brothers and sisters. Let husband and wife dwell harmoni- 

 ously together; let friends be mutually trustworthy. Impose upon yourselves 

 self-restraint and rectitude of behavior. Extend to the multitude philanthropy. 

 Advance learning and regulate :vOur pursuits, developing the intellectual facul- 

 ties and perfecting the virtuous and useful elements. Further seek to enhance 

 the public good and eidighten the world by deeds of social benefit. Treasure 

 always the fundamental constitution and respect the national laws. In any 

 emergency exert yourselves in the public service and exhibit voluntarily yoiu* 

 bravery in the cause of order. And by every means assist and promote the pros- 

 perity of the imperial regime, which is lasting as the heavens and the earth. 

 Thus you will not only be our loyal subjects and good citizens, but will manifest 

 the highest and best traditions of your ancestors. 



- Such, then, are the essential phases of the ethics of Japan. They 

 may be far from reaching your lofty ideals and expectations, but we 

 are contented with their general tendency, while at the same time 

 we do not fprget to inculcate the necessary furtherance and expansion 

 of our ideas roiuired by the changing circumstances of the time. 

 We are likewise mindful of the desirability of carrying them out in 

 such a way as not to conflict with the best ideals of any other country, 

 for our sole aspiration is to preserve harmonious relations with the 

 whole of mankind. 



