392 THE FAR EAST. 



too dear to sacrifice, and what further proof can be 

 required than the heroic storming of Kin Chau, to 

 take but a single instance, that whenever a cause 

 presents itself which is considered dearer than life, now 

 as in the past, " with utmost serenity and celerity 

 life will be laid down." An intense patriotism per- 

 meates the whole people. To the Japanese their 

 country is " more than land and soil from which to 

 mine gold or to reap grain — it is the sacred abode 

 of the gods, the spirits of their forefathers ; " -^ to them 

 the Emperor is "the bodily representative of Heaven 

 on earth, blending in his person its power and its 

 mercy," ^ sentiments which are inculcated by their 

 national religion. 



It is this national feeling, the evolution of genera- 

 tions, which has become a part of the national 

 existence of Japan, that must be reckoned with as an 

 intangible power, fighting in the midst of and in- 

 spiring her armies. " What won the battles on the 

 Yalu, in Korea, and Manchuria," writes the Japanese 

 author already quoted, ^ " was the ghosts of our fathers, 

 guiding our hands and beating in our hearts. To 

 those who have eyes to see they are clearly visible. 

 Scratch a Japanese of the most advanced ideas, and 

 he will show a Samurai." Lastly, honour — the 

 treasured honour of the ancient Samurai, beneath 

 whose dazzling ray life itself appeared of small account 

 — has been sorely slighted, so that the whole popula- 

 tion, from highest to lowest, smarts keenly under the 

 humiliation of 1895, and is prepared to wreak vengeance 

 upon its authors ; — national feeling, that is, is deeply 

 and universally stirred against Russia, 



In light of such considerations the success which has 



* Bushido. Inazo Nitobd. - Ibid. 



^ Inazo Nitobe, 



