Page:The Galaxy, Volume 5.djvu/629

Rh opened for entering upon a still higher grade of civilization, and one far in advance of that of their Celestial neighbors, which they had already absorbed.

The Portuguese were kindly received, and then the Spanish, Dutch, and English, who, all in turn and together, enjoyed Japanese trade and confidence. For a century rapid strides were made by this people, in all or most that belonged to the civilization of the West, and a commerce, comparable with that of any of the Oriental countries, was being carried on with the maritime nations of the world.

The Portuguese, more especially, wherever they went, were accompanied by friars, mostly Franciscan, and the building of churches and the apostacy of the people was among the first, and most energetically conducted, works of Asiatic pioneering. Their success in Japan was almost unparalleled. During this period of Western intercourse religious toleration was the policy of the Japanese emperors—one having said, on being asked n regard to the admission of the Jesuits, that "as there were already many sects, one more could do no harm." Many of the most powerful princes ultimately became converted to the Catholic faith, as well as thousands of the common people.

Not content with great progress in gaining spiritual dominion, these Papal disciples finally showed signs of a desire for temporal power. Becoming alarmed at this new phase of Jesuit influence, as well as at the arbitrary and dictatorial tone of the various Western powers with which they had commercial intercourse, the Japanese emperor determined to expel all foreigners, close the country, and enter upon that system of seclusion which, as we know, has been successful for the past two centuries and a half.

Japan has two emperors, two capitals, and the dual system of government which it implies. The Micado, or spiritual emperor, has the city of Miaco for his capital. The Taicoon, or temporal emperor, is at the city of Yedo, some two hundred miles farther north.

Who is the Micado, or spiritual emperor, and who the Taicoon, or temporal emperor? In the mythological history of this people, Ten-she-o-dai-gin, or daughter of the first pair, is said to be the mother of their race, their first Micado; and the long line of spiritual emperors are her lineal descendants. This story is, to every one of the 30,000,000 who inhabit these islands, what the Bible and its sacred revelation are to the Christian world. The unity of their race, the divine origin of their Micados, and the infallibility of their ancient records form their natural religion; and, though the Buddhist faith has been engrafted upon it, as a natural principle it is never lost sight of, and is the basis of their patriotism.

The perpetuity of the Micadoship, and preservation, inviolable, of its lineal succession, is regarded as the highest duty of every individual of their whole race, and the key-stone to their national existence. If these conditions are fulfilled, it does not matter who is the actual sovereign of the empire, or whether there is any central ruling power at all. The nation may exist for ages as a confederation of princes (as it has at various periods of their history), each exercising entire control over the domestic affairs, uncontrolled by any national power in the hands of the so-called spiritual emperor.

About the end of the Tenth Century, at the close of one of the civil wars, which were the frequent result of this condition of things, a successful military chieftain, by the name of Yorotomo, having brought the whole country under his sway, was confirmed by the Micado in the civil and military administration of the affairs of the empire, and took the title of Shiogoon, or Taicoon, which