The condition of Christianity in Japan at the present time is quite like that of Christianity in the Roman Empire in the days of Constantine, who, himself a nominal Christian, “established” Christianity as the official faith of his empire. And yet, as Uhlhorn says,[173] “the ancient religion was still deeply rooted in the manners and customs, in the domestic and the public life.” And this situation Uhlhorn represents by the following illustration:—
“In this new city on the Bosphorus, Constantine set up a colossal statue of himself. It was an ancient statue of Apollo. Its head was struck off and a head of Constantine was substituted. Also, inside the statue was placed a piece of what was supposed to be the holy cross. This is a kind of mirror of the age. A heathen body with a Christian head and Christian life at the heart.”
This is a fair illustration of the condition of affairs in Japan at the beginning of the twentieth century. There is a heathen body, for the great mass of the Japanese (many millions) still cling to the old faiths. But there is a Christian head, because the leaders of New Japan are favorable to Christianity and its institutions, and are reconstructing the nation largely on Christian lines and with Christian ideals. And there is Christian life at the heart, for it is that life, as shown in the preceding pages, which is inspiring Japan with new ideas and ideals. And when we take into consideration how much Christianity has done for Japan in less than fifty years, we feel quite warranted in prophesying that within this twentieth century Japan will become practically a Christian nation.
BIBLIOGRAPHY.
Those specially interested should not fail to consult “The Gist of Japan” (Peery); “Christianity in Modern Japan” (Clement); “Japan and its Regeneration” (Cary); “Dux Christus: An Outline Study of Japan”; “The Religions of Japan,” “Verbeck of Japan,” and “A Maker of the New Orient” (all by Griffis); and “Sunrise in the Sunrise Kingdom” (De Forest). The “Proceedings” of the Osaka and the Tōkyō Missionary Conferences, and Ritter’s “History of Protestant Missions in Japan” are very valuable. “From Far Formosa” (Mackay) tells of wonderful pioneer work there. For current news, the “Japan Evangelist,” a monthly magazine published by the Methodist Publishing House, Tōkyō, is the best.
The pamphlet entitled “The Christian Movement [in its Relation to the New Life] in Japan,” issued annually by the Standing Committee of Coöperating Christian Missions, is most instructive.
On early Catholicism, the “History of Japan,” by Murdoch and Yamagata, is invaluable.
The authoritative work is Cary’s “History of Christianity in Japan” (2 vols.).
CHAPTER XX
TWENTIETH CENTURY JAPAN
Outline of Topics: Japan in 1801 and 1901; eras; Emperor and Court; Shōgun.—Sealed and wide-open Japan.—Travel and barriers.—Social changes.—Samurai.—Ideals of 1801 and 1901.—Costume.—Architecture.—Diet.—Education.—Newspapers.—Manufactures.—Status of woman.—Christianity.—Permanent transformations.—Prophecy.