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Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. [Sess. 
XXXIII. — A Sketch of Japanese National Development, more 
especially with reference to Education. By Baron Kikuchi, 
M.A., D.Sc., LL.D., Emeritus Professor of Mathematics in the 
Imperial University of Japan (ex-Minister of Education, and 
formerly President of the Imperial University). 
(An Address delivered at the request of the Council, 17th June 1907.) 
Fifty years ago, Japan was almost a mythical land to the Western 
world ; what little was known of it was through the medium of the Dutch, 
who were allowed to trade in the single port of Nagasaki. What we 
Japanese knew of the outer world was also derived mostly from them, and 
from such books as were brought into the country by them. In 1853 came 
Commodore Perry, and demanded that we should open up our country to 
the commerce of the world ; we were but ill prepared for such a course, but 
it was not in our power to resist the demand, and unwillingly enough the 
Shogun’s government was obliged, notwithstanding the strong opposition of 
the Imperial Court and of the conservative elements in the country, to 
contract a treaty of commerce with America, which was speedily followed 
by those with other nations. 
Brought thus face to face with the Occidental nations, we saw how 
immensely superior to us they were in power, and that if we would not 
be treated as inferiors — nay, if we would preserve our existence as an 
independent nation — we must acquire the knowledge and learn the arts 
which gave them this power. We therefore earnestly and resolutely set 
to work to do this. The results, some of which were manifested during the 
late war, seem to have astonished those who have not watched us closely. 
In fact, I think in former days we were not taken seriously by the world. 
We were regarded as children, merry, carelessly enjoying the life, never 
earnest in anything ; Japan was regarded merely as a land of curios, of 
ivory netsukes, of flowers, of pretty sceneries and pretty arts, of geishas, of 
Madame Chrysanthemes. One of my friends who was in England at the 
time of the war told me that he was asked how the Japanese had managed 
to jump out of their skin. Now, I hope to show you to-day, as well as I 
can in so short a time, that we did nothing of the kind — that all we have 
done is simply a natural outcome of our historical development. 
I think it may be said to be one of the most characteristic traits of the 
