of national feeling into one focus, and has thus created a
powerful instrument for the attainment of national aims?
Meanwhile a generation is growing up which does not so much
as suspect that its cherished beliefs are inventions of
yesterday.

The new religion, in its present stage, still lacks one
important item--a sacred book. Certain indications show
that this lacuna will be filled by the elevation of the more
important Imperial Rescripts to that rank, accompanied
doubtless by an authoritative commentary, as their style is
too abstruse to be understanded of the people. To these
Imperial Rescripts some of the poems composed by his present
Majesty may be added. In fact, a volume on the whole duty of
Japanese man, with selected Imperial poems as texts, has
already appeared. [4]

[Note 4] For over a thousand years the composition
of Japanese and Chinese verse has formed part of a
liberal education, like the composition of Latin
verse among ourselves. The Court has always
devoted much time to the practice of this art.
But the poems of former Emperors were little
known, because the monarchs themselves remained
shut up in their palace, and exercised no
influence beyond its walls. With his present
Majesty the case is entirely different. Moreover,
some of his compositions breathe a patriotism
formerly undreamt of.