Chapter 9


AFTERWORD
      Five years have passed since leaving Japan. In a letter from Shoghi Effendi dated November 20, 1938, were the words, ". . . your return to Japan has been indefinitely postponed in view of the growing hostilities in the Far East. . .," and again on January 3, 1939, he wrote ". . . the prospects of your return to Japan seem to be far remote in view of the growing hostilities in the Far East . . ." On December 13, 1939, he repeated the words "As your return to Japan seems far remote at present . . ."

      Through the guiding hand and loving care of the Beloved Master, the Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh was established in Japan. After His passing the seeds which have been sown were invigorated by the dynamic power released in the ceaseless flow of letters from the beloved Guardian Shoghi Effendi.

      The first Bahá'í seeds were sown in Japan by Mr. H. C. Struven and Mr. C.M. Remey when they spent six days in Tokyo in December, 1909, and the last, before the world conflagration, by beloved Martha Root in her fourth visit to Japan in June, 1937, when she met with the friends in Tokyo, Kyoto and Kobe.

      Dr. and Mrs. G.J. Augur assisted the Cause in Japan in their visits there between the years 1914 and 1919. Through the directions of ‘Abdu'l-Bahá and after Him, Shoghi Effendi, I spent fourteen years in Japan during four sojourns between the years 1914 and 1937 when I left to go to the Holy Land.

      ‘Abdu'l-Bahá's only address to a Japanese audience was given in the Japanese YMCA in Oakland, California. In Japan also the first public lecture on the Bahá'í Cause was given in the Japanese YMCA in Tokyo by Mr. C.M. Remey in December, 1909. It was in the same YMCA Dr. G.J. Augur spoke to a group of ministers 1914. Here also Martha Root in her first visit to Japan in July, 1915, spoke to the English Speaking Club and in each succeeding visit she was invited to speak to the club. Here Keith Ransom-Kehler in the summer of 1931 spoke several times to the club. Many times I was welcomed to speak in the club and also in the English Conversation classes of the night school opportunities were given me to speak of the Cause until I felt the stones of the building must vibrate with God's Message.

      James A.B. Scherer concludes his book, Japan Defies the World, with the statement that Japan will ruin herself by her own means and thus save herself since her people will rise to shape a new life.

      The great Japanese Buddhist apostle, Kobo Daishi, said: "Fragrant flowers are very sweet, but one day they fade away. Who can say, 'This world is unchanging?' Crossing over the mount of change today we shall find no dreaming nor illusion but enlightenment."

      In a Tablet to the beloved brother, Mr. S. Fujita, ‘Abdu'l-Bahá wrote: "Japan hath made wonderful progress in material civilization but she will become perfect when she also becometh spiritually developed and the power of the Kingdom becometh manifest in her."

      The Guardian said that now was not the time for headway in Japan, yet his words and those of ‘Abdu'l-Bahá assure us of the brightness of the distant future in that country.

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APPENDIX

 References in Bahá'í Literature to Japan
 
STAR OF THE WEST
Vol. I P. 1-3. Letter from Mr. C.M. Remey, Jan. 14, 1910.
P. 5-6. ‘Abdu'l-Bahá's words to Mr. Remey and Mr. Struven.
P. 11. Mr. Remey and Mr. Struven in Japan.
Vol. VII P. 35, 39-40. Letter from Miss Agnes Alexander.
Vol. VIII P. 35-36. Letter from Mr. Torii.
P. 52. Letter from Miss Agnes Alexander.
P. 54-55, 56. Tablets to Japan, 1917.
P. 149. Letter from Japan, 1917.
Vol. X P. 17-18. Tablets to Miss Alexander, Miss Yuri Mochizuki and Mr. Torii.
P. 246. Tablet to Miss Alexander.
P. 311, 316. Letter from Miss Alexander.
Vol. XII P. 39. Letter from Miss Alexander.
P. 40-41. Tablet to Miss Mochizuki.
P. 42-43. Reproduction of Star of the East.
P. 44. Tablet to Japanese girls.
P. 59-60. Tablets to Mr. Torii, Mr. Noto and Miss Alexander.
P. 371. News about Korea.
Vol. XIII P. 186-187. Tablet to Dr. G.J. Augur,
P. 187-188. News from Miss Alexander.
P. 188. Tablet to Koreans.
P. 188. Letter from Shoghi Effendi to the Japanese Bahá'ís.
Vol. XIV P. 56. Esperanto in Japan.
P. 56. Cable and letter from Shoghi Effendi, 1922.
P. 184-185. Letter from Shoghi Effendi.
P. 244. Letter from Mrs. Ida Finch.
P. 312. Messages from Koreans.
P. 311-313. Miss Alexander in Japan and Korea.
P. 373. The earthquake in Japan.
Vol. XV P. 332. Association Concordia of Japan by Miss Agnes Alexander.
P. 332. New Era in the Pacific by Miss Alexander.
P. 330-331. The Peace Movement in Japan by Dr. Tasuka Harada.
Vol. XVI P. 589. The Institute of Pacific Relations by Miss Alexander.
P. 685. Differences Between Eastern and Western Civilization by Dr. Masaharu Anesaki.
Vol. XVII P. 220. Esperanto in Japan by Miss Agnes Alexander.
Vol. XVIII P. 212-216. Articles by Mr. S. Aoki, Mrs. C.F. Wang and Miss Helen K. Kim, delegates to the I.P.R. in Honolulu
P. 255. Gems from the I.P.R. in Honolulu.
Vol. XIX P. 23. Reflections of a Bahá'í Traveler by Mr. Siegfried Schopflocher.
P. 156. Good Will Orators in Japan.
Vol. XX P. 286. The Pilgrims of Mt. Fuji by Miss Agnes Alexander.
P. 249-250. Signs of the New Age in Japan by Miss Agnes Alexander.
P. 310. Institute of Pacific Relations in Kyoto by Miss Agnes Alexander.
Vol. XXI P. 200. Students of Japan by Miss Agnes Alexander.
Vol. XXII P. 126. Organic and Social Evolution by Kokichi Sumi.
P. 276. The Blind of Japan in the New World Order by Miss Agnes Alexander.
Vol. XXIII P. 156. Why Do I Espouse the Bahá'í Cause? by Mr. Chikao Fujisawa.
Vol. XXIV P. 372. Keith Ransom-Kehler in Japan by Miss Agnes Alexander.

CHILDREN OF THE KINGDOM MAGAZINE
  Vol. I No. 2. Letter to ‘Abdu'l-Bahá from Miss Yuri Mochizuki.
No. 3. Letter from Miss Agnes Alexander.
Vol. II No. 2. A Blessing to Japan.
No. 3. Tablet to Japanese Girls; Letter from Mr. Ono.
No. 4. A Japanese Bahá'í Magazine.
Vol. III No. 2. Letter from Miss Alexander; Cable from the Greatest Holy Leaf; Poem to ‘Abdu'l-Bahá.
No. 3. Letter from M. Honjo; Letter from Miss Alexander.
No. 4. Letter from Miss Alexander about China.
Vol. IV No. 1. Letter from Miss Alexander,
No. 3. Saviours of China by Miss Agnes Alexander. Story of Mr. Fukuta.

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BAHÁ'Í WORLD
  Vol. II P. 42-44. Current Activities.
Vol. III P. 357. Reprint from Japan Times of Sept. 1, 1929.
Vol. IV P. 86-88. Current Activities - Keith in Japan.
P. 190. The Bahá'í Movement in Japan by Mr. Tokujiro Torii.
Vol. V P, 119. In the Footsteps of the Pioneers by Keith Ransom-Kehler.
P. 639. Religious Education for the Young by Mrs. M.H. Inouye.
Vol. VI P. 638. Why Do I Espouse the Bahá'í Cause? by Chikao Fujisawa.
Vol. VII P. 90 Martha Root in Japan.

TABLETS OF ‘ABDU'L-BAHA
VOL III P. 496. Religious Congress.
P. 559-565. Tablets to Mr. Yamamoto and Mr. Fujita.

BAHÁ'Í NEWS
No. 28. Progress of the work in Japan. Emperor presented with Bahá'í books.
No. 31. Portion of article from Japan Times, Sept 1, 1929.
No. 38. News from Japan.
No. 55. Keith-Ransom-Kehler.
No. 58. Esslemont book in Japanese.
No. 61. Tokyo Bahá'í Assembly formed.
No. 104. Publicity in Japan.

THE PROMULGATION OF UNIVERSAL PEACE
VOL II P. 337-343. Address by ‘Abdu'l Bahá to the Japanese.

ILLUSTRATIONS IN BAHÁ'Í LITERATURE
STAR OF THE WEST
Vol. VIII P. 34. Bahá'ís in Tokyo.
Vol. XII P. 39. Children at Christmas Party 1920.
Vol. XIV P. 98. With Martha Root in Tokyo.
P. 373. Pictures taken in Korea.
Vol. XVI P. 410. Children at Mrs. Takeshita's home.
VOL XIX P. 24. Mr. Fujita
P. 29. Mrs. Takeshita and children.
Vol. XX P. 249. Agnes Alexander in her library.
P. 277. Japanese twin sisters.
P. 310. Institute of Pacific Relations in Kyoto.
Vol. XXI P. 201. Esperanto gathering at Seikei School
Vol. XXII P. 75. At a Buddhist Temple.
P. 98. Naw Rúz in Tokyo.
P. 277. Mr. and Mrs. Torii, Miss Alexander and Mr. Tanaka.
Vol. XXIII P. 246. Meeting at Tomakomai, Hokkaido 1932.
Vol. XXIV P. 373. With Keith Ransom-Kehler in Tokyo.

BAHÁ'Í WORLD
Vol. I P. 122. Pictures taken in Korea.
P. 156. Tokyo Esperantists.
P. 168. Children from the earthquake in Tokyo.
Vol. II P. 45. Bahá'í girls in Tokyo.
Vol. III P. 27. Esperanto gathering at Seikei school.
P. 358. Bahá'í home 1916; Mr. Susumu Aibara and Esperantists.
Vol. IV P. 491. Naw Rúz in Tokyo 1931.
Vol. V P. 636. Mrs. M.H. Inouye.
Vol. VI P. 631. Mr. and Mrs. Torii and Agnes Alexander.

CHILDREN OF THE KINGDOM MAGAZINE
Vol. I No. 2. Mr. Fujita and two grandchildren of ‘Abdul-Bahá.
Vol. 11 No. 3. Japanese girls who received a Tablet.

BAHÁ'Í PUBLICATIONS IN JAPANESE
What Is the Bahá'í Movement by Dr. G.J. Augur, 1916.
Message of Light to the Blind Women of Japan by Miss Agnes Alexander, 1916. Translated by Mr. Kyotaro Nakamura.
Message of Love to the Women of Japan by Miss Agnes Alexander, 1916. Translated by Miss lchi Kamichika.
Religion of Love. Translated by students, 1917. 1917.
Seek and It Shall Be Given You. Braille translation by Mr. T. Torii, 1917.
New Civilization by Mr. Kenzo Torikai, 1917.
Mashriqu'l-Adhkár. Translated by Mr. Daiun Inouye, 1920.
The Call by Mr. G.O. Latimer. Translated by Mr. T. Torii, 1920.
Star of the East Magazine, Vol. I and II, 1920-1922.
La Bahaa Revelacio. Reprint in Braille, 1929.
Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era by J.E. Esslemont. Translated in 1932. Braille edition arranged by Mr. T. Torii, 1936.
The Hidden Words. Translated by Mrs. Yuri Mochizuki Furukawa, 1937.

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EDITORIAL AND HISTORICAL NOTES
      Although Miss Alexander wrote the basic manuscript for this book by 1942, she was such a perfectionist she never felt it was complete and ready for publication. She worked on it periodically through the years and indeed, when lying in a Tokyo hospital, 1965-6, with a broken hip, she had the manuscript with her and was seen to be rereading, making corrections and generally polishing it.

      Sometime after Miss Alexander's passing in 1971 parts of the manuscript were found in her effects, which were willed to the Archives in Japan. After the complete manuscript was located, the National Spiritual Assembly of Japan started to prepare it for publication. The format and design have been followed as closely as possible as she had typed it, with the exception of setting off the Words of Bahá'u'lláh, ‘Abdu'l-Bahá and letters of the Guardian in italics.

      Throughout the text of this book are the word "Bahá'í Cause," and sometimes "Bahá'í Movement." These days the Bahá'í religion is generally referred to as the Bahá'í Faith. However, as this is a historical document we did not want to change the title of the book as designated by Miss Alexander.

      It may be observed that in the early days of the spread of the Faith in the West, great emphasis was placed on the Words, Life and Personality of ‘Abdu'l-Bahá. The believers at that time had caught only a glimpse of the towering Figure of the Manifestation of God, Bahá'u'lláh, and had but a few translations of His matchless Words. What the early believers did have were the Tablets of ‘Abdu'l-Bahá in which He answered their questions, taught and encouraged them, guided them to service and action, always leading them to His Father's Message. Is it any wonder that their hearts poured out to the Master and that He truly exemplified the Faith to them? It was their love and obedience to ‘Abdu'l-Bahá which motivated them into action. This history is the story of one such individual and those who were taught by her.

      Early translations of the Hidden Words and other Words of Bahá'u'lláh and ‘Abdu'l-Bahá which are quoted in this book have been superseded by Shoghi Effendi's translations. However, the old translations were what the early believers had at the time and were written into the manuscript. We did not feel we should change them.

      Miss Alexander has quoted from the Tablets which she received from ‘Abdu'l-Bahá. She received at least one other. It is quoted here.
O Thou seeker of the Kingdom!
      Thy letter was received. I prayed at the Court of Holiness to deliver thee from the darkness of attachment to this world, enlighten thee by the Divine illumination and purify the mirror of thy heart, so that the Rays of the Sun of Truth may shine therein.
      Permission is granted thee to marry . . . ., but thou must try with heart and soul to guide him and cause him to enter under the Shade of the Covenant and Testament, so that ye may become united as one soul two bodies and be engaged in the service of the Kingdom. (August 14, 1909)

      There is a record of a Bahá'í woman, Beatrice Erskine Lane, 1878-1939), whose mother was Emily Erskine Hahn, a Bahá'í on the East Coast of the United States. Miss Lane came to Japan in 1911 to marry the well-known Buddhist scholar and writer in English, Daisetz (his preferred spelling) Suzuki. The famous British potter Mr. Bernard Leach, wrote recently, "Beatrice Lane, I met more than once at Dr. Suzuki's but didn't then know about the Faith. Since then I've met him and he told me his wife was a Bahá'í. He was Dr. Yanai's principal teacher — both profound Buddhists." Mrs. Hahn visited Japan in 1917, we can presume to see her daughter, and also met the Tokyo Bahá'ís.

      In Chapter I of this book there is an account of the first travelers to Japan, Mr. Struven and Mr. Remey. After Japan, they went to other countries and then into ‘Abdu'l-Bahá's Presence in Haifa. Mr. Struven wrote an account of that visit to a friend in 1952, "How well I remember sitting in ‘Abdu'l-Bahá's bedroom with Him and He gazing out the window . . . when He turned and said, 'You did not know how ‘Abdu'l-Bahá was watching over you while you traveled and met the hardships to spread the Cause.'"

      In Chapter III there is an account of Mr. Tokujiro Torii, (1894-1970). Blind himself, he spent most of his life helping to alleviate the situation of the blind in Japan, and was decorated by the Emperor for his work with the blind. He translated many of the Writings into Braille.

      Mrs. Torii, now over 80, tells of her husband's dream, (translated from Japanese). "In the first year of our marriage (1916), we were living in Shizuoka (about 100 miles southwest of Tokyo), and it was there that he had the dream. He described it to me thus: 'I dreamt that it was autumn, and I was in the serene forests of Shizuoka. Someone approached me, and in His company were several others who followed quietly behind Him. He came to where I stood and a silence ensued which no words could match in sweetness and strength. I stretched my hands out towards Him, and He took me into His embrace. His arms around me, I felt the warmth and strength of His chest, and His full beard covered my face. No words were spoken, the silence being interrupted only by the rustling of fallen leaves and the chirping of birds. Suddenly I knew that He must be ‘Abdu'l-Bahá, but in the excitement of that thrilling moment I awoke.' The memory of that dream was the source of great comfort through his life, and in times of sorrow and disappointment."

      In Chapter 4 there is mention of Miss Mikae Komatsu, one of the three Japanese women to receive a Tablet from ‘Abdu'l-Bahá. She is now Mrs. Tadako Arakawa and is 74 years old. She said the name Mikae was a literary pen name she used for a time. She recalls the early days quite well — and was extremely fond of both Miss Alexander and Mrs. Finch. She said her original Tablet from ‘Abdu'l-Bahá was lost in the chaotic condition just after World War II as she was forced to abandon most of her possessions when she and her family moved to Tokyo.

      Mrs. Yuri Furukawa (Mochizuki), the first Japanese woman to become a Bahá'í is still living in Tokyo.

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She was living in China at the time of World War II. At the end of the war the Japanese were sent back to Japan and couldn't take anything. All her belongings, including her Tablets from ‘Abdu'l-Bahá were lost.

      In Chapter 6 Miss Alexander makes mention of "Mr. Yanagi, who was stirring through the means of art to bring better understanding between (Japan and Korea) . . ." Mr. Bernard Leach has confirmed that this was Dr. Soetsu Yanagi, founder and leader of the Japanese folk craft movement, Mr. Leach and Dr. Yanagi were close friends and colleagues. Mr. Leach once had a kiln on Dr. Yanagi's property in Abiko.

      Mr. Leach suggested that the initial "M" which Miss Alexander used before Dr. Yanagi's name, came from an alternate reading, Muneyoshi, of the character used for his first name.

      This story takes the reader up to Miss Alexander's departure from Japan in 1937. A continuation of her story of Japan would pick up again in 1950 when she returned. She spent another 17 years in Japan. During that time she was appointed Auxiliary Board Member by the Hands of the Cause in Asia. In 1957 the Guardian appointed her Hand of the Cause. During those years she lived in Kyoto but traveled extensively in many countries of Asia — teaching, deepening and encouraging. She was especially kind to the army of pioneers who went to Asian countries in response to the call issued by the Guardian during the Ten-Year Crusade, 1953-1963. With those she could not see regularly, she carried on a correspondence. Her notes were always full of encouragement — often quoting appropriate passages — and they helped to sustain many lonely but striving pioneers. She undoubtedly realized they were ". . . those who after you will tread your path . . .," to quote the Guardian's words to her.

                  The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Japan
                  (by) Barbara Sims, 1977

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Chapter 9


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