An heir is born

On the night of April 29, 1901, the moon shone brightly over the Imperial Palace, illuminating the oaks, zelkovas, and beds of moss pinks in the garden. At 10:10 p.m., the first, robust cries of an infant resounded inside the palace. Princess Sadako, who had married Crown Prince Yoshihito (later Emperor Taisho) on May 10 of the preceding year, had given birth to a baby boy, Emperor Meiji’s first grandchild. The entire nation rejoiced at the news of the royal birth.

In 1867, executive authority was restored to the emperor when the Tokugawa Shogunate, which had ruled Japan for 265 years, was overthrown. With the dawn of the new era, the Meiji Restoration, the Japanese were reminded that their nation boasted a long line of emperors, who ruled Japan not by force, but with compassion.

The five-article Charter Oath was issued in 1868. Japan embarked on the path to modernization, adopting useful aspects of Western culture. In 1869, telegraph wires were laid between Tokyo and Yokohama, and gradually extended thereafter. In 1871, a postal route connecting Tokyo and Kyoto, and another connecting Tokyo and Osaka, were inaugurated. By 1872, Japan had a modern educational system. Old institutions were reformed, and new ones established.

New construction in Tokyo of Western-style, brick edifices — train stations, banks, and office buildings — in Ginza and Marunouchi transformed those districts. In 1889, the Meiji Constitution was promulgated, providing for the establishment of the Diet (parliament), and dictating the way in which politics would be conducted from then on.

But across the sea, events that cast foreboding and gloom over Japan were occurring. Japan recognized Korea’s independence, and strove to promote friendly relations with that nation. However, China was intent on keeping Korea under its control, and reacted with displeasure to Japan’s efforts.

When the Tonghak Uprising escalated in southern Korea, the Japanese government mobilized troops to protect Japanese nationals residing there. Emperor Meiji sent written instructions to Japanese diplomats in Korea, and made other attempts to achieve a peaceful settlement of the uprising. But in 1894, the emperor was forced to declare war on China in the interest of national security, when a Chinese battleship opened fire on a Japanese fleet.

With the defeat of China in 1895, the era of Japanese expansion began. But as soon as Japan had established a presence in a tiny corner of Asia, France and Germany, incited by Russia, issued a series of protests, demanding that Japan return the Liaodong Peninsula to China. The three nations threatened to wage war against Japan if it refused to comply.

Emperor Meiji was reluctant to involve his subjects in another conflict, believing that they had suffered enough. At an Imperial Conference, he made the decision to return the Liaodong Peninsula to China. Meanwhile, Russia, France, and Germany (and Great Britain) were devouring China like vultures picking at carrion. In China, a secret society called the Yihetuan (called the “Boxers” by foreign residents), which sought the expulsion of all foreigners from China, committed violent acts against those foreigners, and instigated a siege of foreign legations.

In Japan, stock prices plummeted, and there were runs on banks. Company after company went bankrupt. Precisely because there was so little joy in their lives of the Japanese in 1901, the birth of a royal heir brightened their spirits.

Excerpt from "Emperor Showa" Copyright © 2001 by Aki IZUMOI.       [Original Japanese language edition published by Sankei Shimbun News Service Inc., Tokyo, Japan ]

Having personally witnessed the tragic consequences of World War I, Emperor Showa vowed to devote himself to the cause of everlasting world peace. His opposition notwithstanding, Japan went to war, was defeated, and experienced the horrific effects of two atomic bombings.

Emperor Showa was directly responsible for Japan’s miraculous postwar revival. He caused a nation that had been reduced to ashes to rise again, like the proverbial phoenix. The miracle can be attributed to the example set by the Emperor’s selflessness and infinite compassion for his people. These attributes inspired General Douglas MacArthur to write the following about his meeting with the Emperor.

I knew how deep and dreadful must be his agony of humiliation. I had an uneasy feeling he might plead his own cause against indictment as a war criminal. … But my fears were groundless. What he said was this: "I come to you, General MacArthur, to offer myself to the judgment of the powers you represent as the one to bear sole responsibility for every political and military decision made and action taken by my people in the conduct of war." Tremendous impression swept me. This courageous assumption of a responsibility implicit with death, a responsibility clearly belied by facts of which I was fully aware, moved me to the very marrow of my bones. He was an Emperor by inherent birth, but in that instant I knew I faced the First Gentleman of Japan in his own right.

The winds of war are blowing once again. I am convinced that an English translation of my book, Emperor Showa, by acquainting the Western world with the true nature of a remarkable man, will contribute to the cause of world peace. I sincerely hope you will undertake its publication.

IZUMOI Aki is a prolific writer and painter. Among her published works are The Life of Empress Nagako (Fusosha and Chuko Bunko), For the Little Ones: The Story of an Obstetrician (Chuo Koronsha), The Importance of Reviving Japanese Mythology (Hara Shobo), Japanese Mythology Not Found in Textbooks (Fusosha), and Emperor Showa (Nihon Kyobunsha).

Ms. Izumoi has been honored with many awards for her written work, including the Nihon Bungei Taisho prize for women's literature, the Commissioner for Cultural Affairs Award, the Order of the Sacred Treasure: Gold Rays with Rosette. She is a member of the Japan Art and Literature Association.

She has also received recognition for her achievements in the visual arts. Her specialty is Japanese-style painting. Her work has been selected for the prestigious Exhibition of Contemporary Franco-Japanese Art and the Paris "Le Salon" Exhibition, among others. Ms. Izumoi has twice been the recipient of both the Prime Minister's Prize and the Education Minister's Prize. She is currently executive director of the Japan Modern Art League.

Excerpt from "Emperor Showa" Copyright © 2001 by Aki IZUMOI.       [Original Japanese language edition published by Sankei Shimbun News Service Inc., Tokyo, Japan]

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