Page:The Awakening of Japan, by Okakura Kakuzō; 1905.djvu/75

 strange that Buddhism and Confucianism played so small a part in the Restoration. The fact is that their teachings never interfered in matters of state, and their influence was solely directed toward enforcing ideas of submission and the love of peace.

We do not agree with those enemies of Iyeyasu who accuse him of being a skeptic and utilizing ethics and religion only as a means to further his own ends. He was a great statesman who combined many of the characteristics of Cromwell and Richelieu. He was sincere, and acted, according to his lights, for what he considered the best interests of the nation. The following instance of his humanity is enough to refute those charges of heartlessness which have been brought against him. Noticing, during one of his campaigns,