Discovery of Japanese Idealism

Kishio Satomi

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2013
• Print ISBN:
  9780415245333
• eBook ISBN:
  9781136393723
• Topic: Social Sciences
• Subtopic: Ethnic Studies
• Index: Social Sciences

First published in 2000. This is Volume II of three of a series on Japan. Written in 1924 the author has treated his work philosophically, historically, and by way of proof has adduced several important problems concerning Japanese idealism which have as yet not been quite clearly introduced to the West

APPENDIX

THE BARRIER OF KANKOKU

BY

CHIGAKU TANAKA

TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH BY K. SATOMI

This English translation is reproduced by the permission of the Kokusei Bungeikai.

PREFACE

THE author of this drama, Mr Chigaku Tanaka, is well known in Japan as one of the greatest authorities on Buddhist philosophy as also as one of the powerful leaders of the nation.

The author as a layman, however, has contributed many more things to society and religious spheres than any professional religionists. He has written many books which amount to forty volumes in all, besides magazines and a daily newspaper. He founded the Kokuchiukai, as a typical association for Nichirenism where the religion is believed and studied apart from the business point of view of religion.

He recently started a new movement which he had been revolving in his mind for over forty years, in the fields of art, literature, and politics, and in connexion with this new movement he composed a few dramatic works which were staged in Tokio. The present tendency of the drama and similar enterprises is obvious of too sensual a nature. Most of them merely deal with love stories without any idea of righteousness. Incidents relating to murders and illicit pleasures on a large scale are the subjects. In consequence of this, Tanaka took upon himself to write some literary works in order to demonstrate his own idea of life. He proclaimed that he would make public his dramatic works as the expression of the Japanese National Principles. His dramas have been performed on the stage from time to time since his maiden drama ‘Sado’ was performed and welcomed at the largest play-house in Japan, the ‘Kabuki’ Theatre in Tokio. He sometimes acted a part himself, and this had a very powerful spiritual influence on the people; and his family and some of his disciples always take part simply for the sake of propagating the movement which is well worthy of notice.

The Barrier of Kankoku which I translate here deals with the idea of the transport of stores in China. The idea which he expresses in this drama is one which throws light on some of the aspects of Confucianism from the point of view of Nichirenism. This drama has already been performed in Tokio with great success. Very recently he published a new drama entitled After leaving the Doll’s House treated from the same point of view, and by which he intended to solve the problem which Ibsen first raised. I have translated this drama, After leaving the Doll’s House, into German and it is my intention to publish the German translation at an early opportunity.

Mr Tanaka is indeed a man of versatile tastes. He takes a deep interest, for instance, in poetry, literature, art, history, philosophy, religion, architecture, politics and even in mercantile pursuits. Wherever he goes he can pass as an authority.

The Barrier of Kankoku as a popular expression of his ideas is worth reading.

K. SATOMI

Berlin.

THE BARRIER OF KANKOKU

IN

ONE ACT, TWO SCENES

SCENE I

Time: The Age of Wars in China

Place: The Barrier of Kankoku

CHARACTERS:

THE CHIEF OFFICER

AN OFFICER

THE GUARDS

A YOUNG TRAVELLER, RYUKOKUMEI, AND OTHER TRAVELLERS

The proscenium is a distant view of the precipitous mountains. In front, the thin forest of pine and oak trees, and, in the background, stone-steps, more than ten in number, above which is the gate. Various kinds of weapons are placed at the gate, on the right of which is a rock. From the face of the stage to the O.P. side, rugged rocks are visible. Many small rocks lie scattered on the ground. The Bambuse veitchii, and kindred plants, grow in the chinks and gaps of the rocks. Everything points to the idea of the Barrier of Kankoku at the frontier of Shin.

(The two GUARDS are talking by the fireside)

GUARD A: HOW cold it is, isn’t it, eh! No traveller is likely to turn up during this cold weather on such a mountain as this. Let’s close the gate: never mind about the time!

GUARD B: Oh no, closing-time has been officially fixed, we must await closing-time before we lock the gate. No matter whether anyone comes or not.

GUARD A: When you open the gate in the early morning, as soon as the cock crows, it is still dark outside in this cold season, and the intolerable cold numbs our hands. Isn’t it a silly regulation?

GUARD B: Hush! don’t talk like that, if an officer were to hear you, he would be on the alert, let me tell you. Safety comes first, therefore, it is wise to act always in accordance with regulations. Is not the world made up of regulations?

GUARD A: Who the deuce invented such a tormenting thing as this Barrier to worry wanderers and ourselves still more? And what is worse, how hard it is on a poor tippler like me to have to exist in a God-forsaken-out-of-the-way-place like this.

GUARD B: DO what we may, there is no help for it. Our duties help us to keep body and soul together; anyhow, that’s one thing about it.

GUARD A: Well, I suppose you’re right! Oh, it’s nearly closing time, let us knock off earlier to-day and go and warm ourselves. I think it’s going to snow, don’t you?

(Staring at the sky)

GUARD B: It is exceedingly cold to-day, and it has been cloudy ever since this morning. No traveller is likely to come in such nasty weather as this, still—they may come, yes, indeed, the creature called man is a funny thing, there’s no doubt about that.

(GUARD A turns his head, and looks towards the prompter)

GUARD A: I say old fellow, someone is likely to come from the slope

GUARD B: Well I never! Yes, I see someone coming. Oh dear, inspection again! He’d better pass through the gate quickly for it’s time to lock up. I’ll just hail him.

(The two GUARDS motion him to hurry on. At this very moment the first bell rings—the signal to get ready for closing the gate, just a little bit before closing time. And then an OFFICER appears)

OFFICER: Time, Time! Prepare now for closing the gate.

GUARD A: Very well, Sir.

(GUARDS A and B begin to put away the weapons of defence, then a TRAVELLER arrives, apparently a hawker)

TRAVELLER A: Officers, I desire to go to Sannan, very kindly let me pass, good Sirs.

GUARD A: Are you a tradesman?

TRAVELLER A: Yes, Sir, I am.

GUARD B: What kind of tradesman are you?

TRAVELLER A: I am a cocoon trader.

GUARD A: Show me your licence.

TRAVELLER A: Here it is, Sir.

(TRAVELLER A takes the licence out of his Pocket and shows it to the OFFICER. After examining it, the OFFICER assumes an important air)

OFFICER: You may pass.

(The TRAVELLER passes through the gateway. Soon after, another TRAVELLER arrives)

GUARD A: What are you?

TRAVELLER B: I am going to Corea to buy some medicine at the request of my mother.

GUARD B: Have you a licence with you?

(As before, the OFFICER allows him to pass through after an examination of the licence, and the TRAVELLER salutes, and enters the gateway. The second bell rings)

GUARD B: Time is up! Let us close the gate.

(GUARD B shuts one part of the gate, and just as he is going to shut the other, a new TRAVELLER is in sight, hurrying along at full speed, and out of breath, crying aloud to the OFFICER and GUARDS. OFFICER and GUARDS turn their eyes towards him)

TRAVELLER C: Hollo, I shall be there in a minute, I entreat you to wait just a moment before closing the gate and to let me pass.

OFFICER: We can’t let you pass. It is past time already.

TRAVELLER C: You are right, indeed, but pray let me pass for one part of the gate is still open.

(TRAVELLER C has already climbed up the stone steps sad implores the OFFICER and GUARDS, on his knees before them)

TRAVELLER C: But am I not here before both sides of the gates are closed, although time is up. The other side of the gate is still ajar. For Heaven’s sake let me pass. Have mercy on me! Do have mercy on me!

(The OFFICER glares at the TRAVELLER and gives him a good scolding)

OFFICER: Gammon! You were walking on that slope when one half of the gate was closed. We stopped to close the other half because we wondered what was the matter, seeing that you were shouting. Supposing you were on the ordinary steps, the other part of the gate would be closed before you could reach the stone steps. So you would arrive after the gate was closed. Don’t you see? The time for closing the gate is a strict order of the State. Your coming behind time is your own look out. We can’t pass you anyhow, so be off.

(The TRAVELLER sobs violently, all the time kneeling before the OFFICER making bows of reverence)

TRAVELLER C: You are right, Sir, but please listen to me, there is a certain reason for which I must return to my native place and cross the mountains. An irrecoverable thing may happen if I fail to pass this evening. I will tell you my dilemma, oh, please, for God’s sake, do let me pass despite my unreasonable request! For Heaven’s sake, do let me pass.

(...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title
• Copyright
• Preface
• Contents
• I. Civilization of Food-Standard and that of Path-Standard
• II. The State is the Organ of Exaltation and Protection of Righteousness
• III. Reconstruction of Philosophy
• IV. Moralization of Science
• V. Awakening of Religion: With Special Reference to Some Essential Thoughts About Christianity
• VI. The Middle Path
• VII. Christ’s Attitude Towards What is Moral, and that of Nichiren
• VIII. Gratitude: Returning Kindness
• IX. Japanese Idea of Loyalty
• X. Rules of Learning and Ideals of Education
• XI. Ancient Japanese Idealism and its Development
• Appendix The Barrier of Kankoku, by Chigaku Tanaka