<Koakai Hokoku>, Issue 23 (1881, December 30)
Hirobe Kuwasi (1854-1909): “To Two
Gentlemen, Mari Jun and Ma Jintao,
who prepare to travel to China” (pp. 12-13)
‘Ah! Two gentlemen, do you know the situation
of the today’s Asian Continent? India, Annam, and Burma are long controlled by
the Westerners. They look like slaves, and refused even the right to talk
[freely]. From several decades ago, our two countries, Japan and China, also
gradually began to be humiliated [by the Europeans]. Your people used to travel
and live in our country, just as our people – in yours. But all of us respect
the laws of the state of sojourn, and follow its customs. The ancients used to
say: “When you come to a country, first ask about the prohibitions; when you
cross a boundary, ask about the customs!” This is a norm in relationship
between the countries under the Heaven.
And only Westerners do
not follow it! They themselves make the laws, themselves punish and reward,
themselves issue orders, themselves prohibit and license. When asked about the
grounds, they reply: “That is a law of our country”, or “This is a custom of
our country”, or “We are unhappy to follow your governance and obey your laws,
and that is why we do that”. Oh, what an extreme rudeness! How could they come to such extremes? It
looks as if the people staying in other’s place would pretend to play hosts
themselves. Is any such law under the Heaven?
Of course, the strong
are different from the weak, and it is hard for the outnumbered to fight
against the multitudes. [The weak] hold their breath and drop their voices, but
gnash their teeth in indignation. That is how the affairs could reach the
present point: the present situation is rather inescapable [on account of the Asian
weakness].
In the <Classic of
Songs>, it is said: “When there is going to be a fall of snow, that is first
the descent of sleet”[i].
Ah! Sleet already has descended, and we just do not know when the snow and rain
will come! Ah! Two gentlemen, don’t you know well the situation of today’s
Asia? Two gentlemen, you both are well versed in Chinese language and able to
take the responsibilities of our time. When the spring will come, you will (…)
travel via Hangzhou and Suzhou, through Hunan and Hubei, enjoy the sight of
mountains and rivers, observe their customs, and make friends with the
chivalrous heroes of China. I believe that they definitely will be deeply moved
and start planning the ways of self-strengthening. So, let you spur your horses
on the way to Ji and Lu, where the northern wind will still breathe with frost,
and where mountainous peaks look like swords! (…)