To the Far East! Part 2

Shall we return to the Far East Japanese Empire of 1933?  The many mountainous islands of Japan were heavily forested.  "The island of Hokkaido is almost an untouched timber preserve; there the bears have little interruption in their strongholds," (p. 285).  Japanese law requires that if one tree is cut down, two others must be planted to replace it.

Japan took full advantage of the mountain river rapids for widespread electricity production.  The country had few rivals in this area, "even in America or Europe," (p. 285).  One recurring disaster which was not under control in 1933 was severe, periodic flooding from the rivers.  Particularly expensive to replace were all the bridges swept away and damage to railroad lines.

Being an island nation, Japan has many sea industries, fishing and also pearl culturing.  Some of the ocean depths off the coasts are extremely deep, measuring 31,000 feet near the city of Yokohama.

In addition to volcanic eruptions, the nation suffered earthquakes, "averaging five (tremors) a day," (p. 288).  There were frequent cyclones, monsoons, typhoons, and tidal waves which devastated whole cities at a time.

Yet the Japanese survived and thrived.  Mr. William Elliot Griffis, author of Japan, Child of the World's Old Age, National Geographic Magazine, March, 1933, offers his theory for this phenomenon, "that intellectual development. . . even more than material forces, is the key to much of the flowering of modern Japan," (p. 297).  With the arrival of America missionaries in 1859 came a new influence.  "They opened the eyes of the thinking and scholarly Japanese, not only to the past, but to the immediate treasures of occidental civilization, with promise of greater things to come," (p. 297).   The country then sent students abroad and created embassies in many countries.

The author had the immense benefit of first visiting Japan in 1870, when "Palanquins, open or closed, borne on men's shoulders, were the vehicles, for no horses were or could be used for traction."  His next visit was 57 years later, when "in Tokyo and Osaka and other hustling centers, one usually runs the risk of his life in crossing a street because of the swift vehicles moved by electricity, gasoline, or pedals," (p. 297).

The eight-page section of color photographs was lovely, revealing a well-ordered, clean, beautiful nation, even in the crowded large cities.  I found that I wanted to see more!

My late father, Reuben, was stationed in Yokohama, Japan, from 1955 to 1957, for the last two of his twenty years in the U.S. Army.  The family did not travel with him.  Dad brought back many souvenirs for us which included intricate jewelry for my mother and myself, figurines, and dolls dressed in the traditional kimonos.  I find myself wanting to travel there someday, and will try to include a side trip to Japan in the trip to the Philippines which I hope to make in two years.

Mr. Griffis judges that "Being eclectic in everything, it may be said that the Japanese first adopt, then adapt, and finally become adept in most of what they experiment upon," (p. 301).

In the time since this NGM article was written, the lives of Japan and America have been increasingly intertwined, for better or worse.  I drive a Toyota, a Japanese car, the best one I've ever owned, made in the nearby city of Georgetown, Kentucky.  In Danville, Kentucky, there are several large Japanese factories and several Japanese wives were in my Homemaker's Club.  Small world!