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EELIGION SINTOISM. 411
is highly valued on account of the many variations which it contains, and which
often throw much light on the received text.
Apart from the Buddhist books not more than forty or fifty
works are known
to have been printed in Japan down to the beginning of the seventeenth century.
A great stimulus was, however, then given to the art chiefly through the influence
of the Koreans. After his first victorious campaign in Korea, Hideyoshi had
brought back a large number of books current in that country, and the literary
activity represented by these works, compared with the stagnant state of letters in
Japan, wounded the national pride of the conquerors, and stimulated them to a
healthy rivalry. An examination of the captured books soon revealed the fact that
the Koreans possessed the art of printing with movable types, which they had no
doubt derived from the Chinese, and which they seem to have practised as early as
the beginning of the fifteenth century, if not earlier. The Japanese, always apt
imitators, soon adopted this method, and the first book printed in Japan with mov-
able copper types bears th,e date 1596. From that time onwards the press, in
various parts of the Empire, has been busily engaged in reproducing every important
book in Chinese literature. The native literature also soon began to avail itself of
the same easy means of circulation. But recent indications seem to make it probable
that the time is approaching when Japanese translations of European, and
especially English, works will be mainly substituted for the publications both of the
native and the Chinese writings. Mr. Fukusawa of Tokio has greatly distinguished
himself in this direction. One of his classes lately translated the whole of Adam
Smith's " Wealth of Nations " into Japanese, and several other important European
works, especially those treating of philosophy, natural science and politics, owe their
appearance to this learned teacher and his pupils.
RELIGION SIXTOISM.
The religious thought of Japan, as of so many other countries, is just now in
an evident state of transition. Most of the educated classes and even the lower
orders in the towns entertain or affect a profound indifference for the various
religions of local or foreign origin. Yet some of the outward observances are still
generally retained, mainly through the influence of the women.
As in China, three cults co-exist side by side, and the same individual may even
conform f nil three. Of these theoldest is the national religion known as Sintoism,
or the " Way of the Genii," which represents the conservative and reactionary
clement, which from the first protested against the intrusion of the Chinese language
mid cult an-. The Koziki, or "History of the Things of Antiquity," which em-
bodies the Sinto teachings, is the oldest and most remarkable work in Japanese
literature. The Confucian system is little more than a moral code. But Buddhism
is at mire ;i
metaphysical arid religious system, which consoles its votaries for the
miseries of the present life, and holds out prospects
of happiness or repose
in the
after state. Thus according to the times, places, and other circumstances, these
elements may become diversely intermingled without being antagonistic, although