Page:Things Japanese (1905).djvu/420

408 of these words is taken. The Ban-Tan line, connecting the provinces of Harima and Tajima, receives its name from the fact that the first of the two Chinese characters employed to write the word Harima is pronounced Ban in other contexts, while the first character of Tajima is properly Tan, though not so pronounced in this particular instance. Perhaps this may make the European tyro's head swim, but to the Japanese it appears perfectly plain and simple.

Japan has now its "Bradshaw," under the title of Ryokō Annai, published monthly. The rapid swelling of this useful periodical from half-a-dozen pages to two fat little volumes is a striking index of Japan's material progress.

 Religion. Undevotional by temperament, the Japanese have nevertheless accorded a measure of hospitality to the two greatest religions of the world—Buddhism and Christianity. Their own unassisted efforts in the direction of religion are summed up in archaic Shintō. Modern Shintō has been profoundly influenced by Buddhism and Confucianism.