Thus does it come about that the neo-Japanese myths concerning
dates, and Emperors, and heroes, and astonishing national
virtues already begin to find their way into popular English
text-books, current literature, and even grave books of
reference. The Japanese governing class has willed it so, and
in such matters the Japanese governing class can enforce its
will abroad as well as at home. The statement may sound
paradoxical. Study the question carefully, and you will find
that it is simply true.

* * *

What is happening in Japan to-day is evidently exceptional.
Normal religious and political change does not proceed in that
manner; it proceeds by imperceptible degrees. But exceptions
to general rules occur from time to time in every field of
activity. Are they really exceptions, using that term in its
current sense--to denote something arbitrary, and therefore
unaccountable? Surely these so-called exceptions are but
examples of rules of rarer application.

The classic instance of the invention of a new national
religion is furnished by the Jews of the post-exilic period.
The piecing together, then, of a brand-new system under an
ancient name is now so well understood, and has produced
consequences of such world-wide importance, that the briefest
reference to it may suffice. Works which every critic can now
see to be relatively modern were ascribed to Moses, David, or
Daniel; intricate laws and ordinances that had never been
practised-- could never be practised--were represented as