Japan and the Japanese

110 JAPAN. A. D. 15911592.
sentations of Rodriguez greatly contributed ;
but the answer which
he caused to be prepared to the viceroy's letter, took so high a
tone, and was so filled with invectives against the missionaries, that
Yalignani was unwilling
to be the bearer of it.
Finally, by the persuasions of the governor of Miako, an idola-
ter, but favorable to the new religion, the emperor was induced to
and he even adopted a crafty suggestion
of Rod-
modify his letter ;
riguez that the Jesuits whom Valignani had brought
with him
should remain at Nagasaki as hostages, till the authenticity of his
mission was placed beyond question. The letter, as finally modified,
a frank exposition of Taiko's policy, was in the following terms :
TAIKO-SAMA TO THE VICEROY OF GOA.
" MOST ItLUBTRiors LORD : I received with pleasure the letter which you
wrote me, and in reading it seemed to realize that great distance between us
of which you speak. Japan contains more than sixty realms or principali-
ties, which have been for a long time agitated by troubles and civil wars,
growing out of the refusal of the princes to render to their sovereign lord
the obedience which they owe him. The sight of so many evils sensibly
afflicted me from my earliest age, and I revolved in my mind a remedy for
them ; and with that view I laboriously applied myself to the acquisition of
three virtues the most necessary for so great an undertaking. In the first
place, I studied affability, so as to gain all hearts. Next I strove to accustom
myself to judge soundly of all things, and to comport myself at all times with
prudence and discretion. In the third place, I have omitted no occasion of
inspiring a high idea of my valor. Thus have I succeeded in subjecting all
Japan to my authority, which I govern with a mildness equal to the courage
displayed in subduing it. I have especially caused the effects of my tenderness
to be felt by the laborers who cultivate the earth. All my severity is
reserved for those who deviate from the paths of virtue. Nothing is more
tranquil than J ipan at this moment, and it is this tranquillity which makes
it strong This vast monarchy is like a firmly-fixed rock all the efforts of
;
its enemies cannot shake it. So, not only am I at peace at home, but even
very distant countries send to render me the obedience which is my due. I
expect soon to conquer China, and as I have no doubt of succeeding in it, I
hope we shall soon be much nearer to each other, and that the communication
between us will not be so difficult.
" As to what regards religion, Japan is the realm of the KAMI, that is, of
BIX, the beginning of all things ; and tlie good order of the government de
pends upon the exact observance of the ancient laws of which the Kami are
the authors. They cannot be departed from without overturning the subordination
which ought to exist, of subjects to their sovereign, wives to their hus-