[10] The chapters in this section are based on notes of several visits paid to Aichi, which is in the middle of Japan, and agriculturally and socially one of the most interesting of the prefectures.  It is three prefectures distant from Tokyo.

[11] Throughout this book an attempt has been made to preserve in translation something of the character of the Japanese phraseology.

[12] Cryptomeria japonica, or in Japanese, sugi, allied to the sequoia, yew and cypress.

[13] Miso, bean paste.

CHAPTER II

“GOOD PEOPLE ARE NOT SUFFICIENTLY PRECAUTIOUS”

Je ne propose rien, je n’impose rien, j’expose.—­De la liberte du travail

He had been through Tokyo University, but his hands were rough with the work of the rice fields.  “I resent the fact that a farmer is considered to be socially inferior to a townsman,” he said.  “I am going to show that the income of a farmer who is diligent and skilful may equal that of a Minister of State.  I also propose to build a fine house, not out of vanity, but in order to show that an honest farmer can do as well for himself as a townsman.”

When I asked the speaker to tell me something about himself he went on:  “My father was a follower of a pupil of the great Ninomiya.  Schools of frugal living and high ideals were common in the Tokugawa period.[14] The object sought was the education of heart and spirit.  At night when I was in bed my father used to kneel by me,[15] his eldest son, and say, ’When you grow big you must become a great man and distinguish our family name.’  This instruction was given to me repeatedly and it went deeply into my heart.”

“When I became a young man,” he continued, “I had two friends.  We made promises to each other.  One said, ’I will become the greatest scholar in Japan.’  The second said, ‘I will become the greatest statesman.’  The third, myself, said, ’I will be the greatest rice grower in this country.’  If we all succeeded we were to build beautiful houses and invite each other to them.

“I did not graduate at the University because, by the entreaty of my father, when I reached twenty-one, I left Tokyo in order to become a practical farmer.  It is twenty-one years since I began farming.  I consulted with skilful agriculturists and then I saw my way to make a plan.  Rice in my native place is inferior.  I improved it for three or four years.  I gained the first gold prize at the prefectural show.  Some years later I obtained the first prize at the exhibition which was held by five prefectures together.  Later still I received the first prize at the exhibition for eighteen prefectures, also the first prize at the exhibition of the National Agricultural Association.  Further, I was appointed a judge of rice and travelled about.

“I consumed a great deal of time in doing this public work.  One day I was made to think.  A collector for a charity said in my hearing that he expected larger subscriptions from practical men because though public men were esteemed by society their economic power was small.  I at once resolved that before doing any more public work I should put myself in a sound financial position.