Chapter VIII: Part 8

[18] The farewell cup of water (_mizu-sakazuki_, “water-wine-cup”), to which reference is made frequently in Lieutenant Sakurai’s story, is a religious ceremony, probably of Shinto origin, of the nature of a sacrament. At the moment of death, the nearest relative present administers water to the dying person, an act of purification for the next life. Hence, on the departure of any member of the family on an errand to which he has vowed his life, the farewell cup that is given him is not the _saké_, typifying joy and good-fellowship, but water, the symbol of purification. In one of the Japanese classical dramas, _Taikoki_, the scenes of which are laid in the time of Hideyoshi, the Taiko (1582-98 D.D.), a young man is about to depart on a forlorn hope, with the certainty of ending his life in battle. He is betrothed, and before he leaves his home the wedding is celebrated; but the marriage cup which bride and bridegroom share is filled with water instead of _saké_, as a sign that the union is not for this life but for the next. The bridegroom leaves immediately after the ceremony and dies fighting; the young wife at once commits suicide and rejoins him in the new life to which they pledged themselves in the “death-cup” of their wedding-day.

[19] The mark over a grave, for a year after burial, is a wooden post, cut square, and bearing the name, and the posthumous Buddhistic name, of the deceased. At the end of the year, a stone is substituted for the post.

[20] A classical Chinese expression meaning war.

[21] Quoted from a war-song.

[22] The hawk is always the symbol of victory and is associated in the early legends with Jimmu Tenno’s victorious progress through Yamato.

[23] The game of _go_, played with white and black counters on a board ruled into small squares, requires an immense amount of intellectual effort. In this respect it surpasses all games played in America, even chess. It is characteristic of the intellectual activity of the Japanese that this is a favorite game of all classes and all ages.

[24] Kudan, the name of a hill in Tokyo upon which stands the Shokonsha, or “Spirit-Invoking-Temple,” wherein are enshrined the spirits of all those who have died for their country. It is one of the religious centres of the New Japan.

[25] _Ri_, about two and a half miles.

[26] The Mongol invasion here referred to is the one of 1274 A.D., when Kublai Khan, having made himself master of China and Korea, undertook the invasion of Japan. His fleet reached the Bay of Hakata, on the coast of Kyushu, but was dispersed by a storm after the first battle with the Japanese had driven the invaders back to their ships.

[27] _Ho_, a fabulous bird of gigantic size, like the roc of the Arabian Nights.

[28] _Tamashii_, spirit, the same word that in composition with Yamato becomes _damashii_.

[29] Yen, the monetary unit, equal to one hundred sen, or fifty cents.

[30] _Amé_, candy made from wheat gluten.

[31] _Kwan_, a little over eight and a quarter pounds.

[32] In Japanese poetry the cuckoo’s rare cry in the moonlight is treated as particularly sad and dismal.

[33] A species of epic, or heroic ballad, sung to the accompaniment of the lute, or _biwa_, which has always been the music of the Japanese soldier.

[34] A Buddhist priest.

[35] Kwanon is the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy. Bato-Kwanon, or the Horse-headed Kwanon, is the special patroness of horses. In the country districts one may see rude images of Bato-Kwanon set up by the roadside, to which horses are brought and offerings made by their masters in their behalf.

[36] The _ken_ measures about six feet.

[37] Japanese proverb: The frog in the well knows not the great ocean.

[38] Kimi ga yo, the national hymn, which may be roughly translated thus:—

May our Lord’s dominion last,
Till ten thousand years have passed
And the stone
On the shore at last has grown
To a great rock, mossy and gray.

[39] The words tokkwan, translated “final assault,” and this word, Tokkan, meaning the war-cry, belong close together in thought as in sound. The “Tokkan!” which has been retained in the translation, is onomatopoetic, and gives force to the words that immediately follow it.

[40] “Medetashi!” Glorious!

[41] _Tsurugi_, sword.

[42] A saying of Iyeyasu, the great soldier and lawgiver,—“In the moment of victory, tighten your helmet-strings.”

[43] From the Imperial Rescript to the Army and Navy. See Appendix B.

[44] The word translated here “sincere” is in its primary meaning “red,” hence the symbolism of the bloodstained garment.

[45] To enable his spirit to see the fall of the fortress.

[46] The Japanese code of knightly honor. For further particulars see “Bushidō, or The Soul of Japan,” by Inazo Nitobe, published by G. P. Putnam’s Sons.

[47] Ni-ō, the two kings, Indra and Brahma, who keep guard at the gateways of Buddhist temples, to scare away demons. They are noted for their grimness of expression. Fudō, the “Immovable,” the God of Wisdom, who is represented of stern expression, and surrounded by a halo of flames.

[48] _Kachi-guri_, dry chestnuts. The word _kachi_ also means victory, hence it is one of the articles given to a departing soldier as a wish for his success.

[49] “Ten thousand years for His Majesty the Emperor!”

[50] A Chinese expression.

[51] One _cho_ equals .07 of a mile.

[52] The large earthenware jar, or reservoir, used for holding the water supply of a Japanese kitchen. They vary in size, but the smallest will hold several gallons.

[53] The distinction between elder and younger brother is so great in the Japanese mind that there is no common word for the relationships, but _ani_, elder brother, and _ototo_, younger brother, are as distinct as brother and sister with us. _Ani_ in address is softened to “Nii San.”

[54] The _saké_-cask, contains about sixteen gallons.

[55] The annual festival of the “Opening of the River,” held at Ryogoku Bashi in Tokyo, is the occasion for a great display of fireworks.

[56] _Tabi_, the Japanese sock, made with a separate place for the great toe.

[57] The “first aid” bandages, prepared by the Red Cross Society, issued to every soldier as part of his equipment.

[58] “I adore thee, O Eternal Buddha!”

[59] The “Buddha Shelf,” the shrine in the house where are kept the tablets of the dead.