Copyright, 1906
by
I. WILLIAM ADAMS
The Knickerbocker Press
TO hope to understand in a few short years oreven in a lifetime the development of thehumane, refined, and notably progressive people ofJapan would be presumptuous; yet, if I can in thesepages contribute in some degree toward that end, Ishall feel amply rewarded.
I am indebted to those who have preceded me inthis field for much of my detail. I shall, moreover,always hold that to my Japanese friends and others,who so cheerfully rendered me assistance in obtainingoriginal matter, should be attributed any merit whichthis tale of old Japan may possess. Without them itcould not have been, and for its shortcomings I aloneam responsible.
Note.The superior figures throughout the text referto the notes in the appendix.
Chapter "Page"
Introductory vii