Trbners Oriental Series
DISCOVERY OF JAPANESE IDEALISM
Trbners Oriental Series
JAPAN
In 3 Volumes
| I | The Classical Poetry of the Japanese |
| Basil Hall Chamberlain |
| II | Discovery of Japanese Idealism |
| Kishio Satomi |
| III | Japanese Civilization |
| Kishio Satomi |
DISCOVERY OF JAPANESE IDEALISM
KISHIO SATOMI
First published in 1924 by
Routledge, Trench, Trbner & Co Ltd
Reprinted in 2000, 2002 by
Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 4RN
Transferred to Digital Printing 2007
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group
1924 Kishio Satomi
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British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Discovery of Japanese Idealism
ISBN 0-415-24533-8
Japan: 3 Volumes
ISBN 0-415-24293-2
Trbners Oriental Series
ISBN 0-415-23188-4
DISCOVERY OF JAPANESE IDEALISM
BY
KISHIO SATOMI
AUTHOR OF
Japanese Civilization: its Significance and Realization Altjapanischer Idealismus und seine Entwicklung; etc.
PREFACE
THE attention among Western peoples paid to civilization in the East is increasing year by year. For the purpose of introducing some important aspects of Japanese civilization, I have lately published a work in London entitled Japanese Civilization: its Significance and Realization. But in that book I confined my statements to Nichirenism and its relation to the Japanese National Principles, and as to other problems I had to refrain from commenting on them.
The present work corresponds to what I have stated in the Preface to my former work, viz. that I hope to have a chance of introducing under a tentative title The Fundamental Ideas of Japanese Moral Philosophy.
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.
Every chapter of the present work seems in itself an independent essay; nevertheless the reader will observe a natural system followed throughout the process of all the chapters. The chapter Ancient Japanese Idealism and its Development has been previously published in the German language in Berlin as Altjapanischer Idealismus und seine Entwicklung. I have received many letters about it from readers, and it seems to me that the work has been rather successful. So I include it as a chapter in the present work, but for the English translation (with the exception of the fifth section, Nichirens Revival of Idealism and his Philosophy, which was executed by myself) I am indebted tc Mr Kaji, Mr Kawamura, M.A., and Mr Kimitsuka, M.A., for the first draft for which I desire to express my thanks.
I do not know whether the present work will prove a success. It certainly is, at any rate, a thoroughly modern interpretation of Japanese idealism.
The time appointed for my departure from Europe is drawing nigh. How numerous my feelings are, and how varied!
KISHIO SATOMI.
PARIS, March, 1924.
CONTENTS
APPENDIX
THE BARRIER OF KANKOKU, BY CHIGAKU TANAKA
DISCOVERY OF JAPANESE IDEALISM
I
CIVILIZATION OF FOOD-STANDARD AND THAT OF PATH-STANDARD
GERMANY, the stronghold of Militarism, was beaten by England, France, America, the strongholds of Bourgeoisie. The Great War was, indeed, an evening bell which announces the fall of European States and races which have dominated the world with material forces for over four hundred years. But the Great War is, at the same time, the morning bell which demands the reconstruction on the basis of a new awakening. The great currents which are flowing throughout the modern world are class antagonism within each country, and the racial competition among international relations.
In proportion to the rising of economical life, the class antagonism made itself prominent to the utmost in the struggle between capitalists and labourers. When the Great War was raging, racial and national hatred and feeling were stronger than socialistic internationalism which was vague and traditional, and consequently the class antagonism was forced to take a rest. But the world is now again realizing the battle between the capitalists and labourers.
The industrial systems which Europe underwentcapitalism during its first stage, and socialism during its second stageare the natural outcomes of material or mechanical civilization. The Bourgeoisie still possess the superior power materially and are solidifying the foundation by influencing the psychology of the people who prefer putting up with the present dissatisfaction to adventuring on the invisible future. At any rate, the European system of civilization has come to an end, at least as far as the industrial system of capitalism in its present state is concerned.
The fundamental idea which runs throughout capitalism and socialism is, indeed, instinctism (if I may coin the word), forgotten spiritualismin other words, the civilization of the food-standard. This civilization of the food-standard is the view that reduces a man to a beast, a fact which is the cause of all battles. Spiritualization of industry and spiritualism of the conversion of lust are new lights for European civilization. Europeans established civilization by looking upon nature as the object of human conquest, and fighting with nature: thence the birth of modern science. But at the same time their lack of spirit is also the outcome of this attitude.
The cause of fighting is the food-standard view of life, but not of class itself. Class, as a fact of human life, always exists, though nominally we may abolish class artificially, as has been done, for instance, in America. Class as order is rather an important factor for the regulation of life. If we construct the class through the way, class will then be the essence of government.
