Hildreth's "Japan as It Was and Is": A Handbook of Old Japan, Volume 1 (of 2)

Hildreth's "Japan as It Was and Is": A Handbook of Old Japan, Volume 1 (of 2)

Hildreths Japan as it Was and Is was published in three editions,in 1855, 1856, and 1861. In the last edition a new chapter was added to bring the book down to that date. The value of the book, as a compilation from all the important European writings on Old Japan, has always been acknowledged, but has been somewhat diminished by the various old-fashioned styles of transliteration, which rendered many Japanese words difficult of recognition. Therefore the present writer, more than ten years ago, conceived the idea of a revision of Hildreths work, especially by harmonizing the spelling of Japanese words with the modern system of Romanization, and by adding such other notes and explanations as might be necessary. This he has been doing gradually, as leisure afforded opportunity. In the meantime Mr. K. Murakawa, an alumnus of the Imperial University, Tky, has issued, in two small limited editions, in 1902 and 1905, a reprint somewhat along that line. But as his work was done with the needs of Japanese in view, it does not entirely satisfy the needs of foreigners. The present writer acknowledges his indebtedness to Mr. Murakawa in some points, but he had done almost all his work before he saw the Japanese edition. He now offers an edition which is not merely a reprint, but also a revision, and is well illustrated. Of course the[Pg xx] text of the original has been followed as closely as possible, and yet not only additions, but also excisions, have been made whenever necessary. For instance, some of the footnotes and several of the long notes in the Appendix have been omitted because they have become either wholly or comparatively valueless. The writers additional notes are signed Edr., and where Mr. Murakawas notes have been used the initials K. M. are signed. Mr. Murakawa says that Hildreths book contains many errors, because it was written by an author who was not in a position to avail himself of the Japanese sources, at a time when Japan was yet closed against foreign intercourse, and at a place far away from Japan. This statement is partly true but somewhat unjust, because it fails to take into consideration the fact that Hildreths work is chiefly a compilation, including lengthy quotations, from authors who did avail themselves as much as possible of Japanese sources, at the very time when they themselves were living in the very place, Japan itself. But these writers were, of course, far from infallible and made errors of fact or inference which Hildreth followed. And yet it is really remarkable that, with so many limitations and hindrances, they gained so good an insight into Japanese life. It goes without saying that the present editor has not attempted to correct all the errors of details,a task which would be as impossible as unprofitable. He has corrected the most flagrant mistakes so far as he has discovered them, but he may have overlooked errors needing attention. He would here call special attention to a few mistakes which were so frequent and so closely[Pg xxi] interwoven in the narrative as to render correction impracticable. The word Nippon, which is really the name of the whole country, is applied by the old writers to the main island, the real name of which is Hondo. The word Emperor almost always refers to the Shgun, while the true Emperor is mentioned under the name of Dairi. ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 66913
Author: Hildreth, Richard
Release Date: Dec 9, 2021
Format: eBook
Language: English

Contributors

Editor: Clement, Ernest W. (Ernest Wilson), 1860-1941