『日本近世変革論』考

グリフィス論文 The Recent Revolution in Japanの翻訳から

抄録

This paper of Griffis was issued on the North American Review in 1875. It was the first of his views on Japanese history after his return to America. He reprinted it in the 1st part of his brilliant book named The Mikado's Empire in 1876, revising some parts of the paper.
Muta Yutaka from Karatu han in Saga was lucky to find and tried to translate it. He learned English from Verbeck in Nagasaki and as an interpreter of the governer of his prefecture went over to America. At first he issued the first half part of the translation in 1875 in a book called “Ishin-Gai-Ron” but gave up the issue of the second half part. Seven years later he com-pleted the publication of the same translation.
In the original work Griffis insisted that the modernization of Japan in Meiji period was carried out greatly by the force within, not only by an impact from the foreigners. And Japan's progressive success would be made by rooting the rights of the individual and Christianity among the Japanese. Perhaps this was a valuable article which was unprecedented. But it was not noticed by a number of Japanese intellectuals, because they were most enthusiastic for taking in European ideas.
Muta appreciated the paper so well that his translation helped to have the opinion of Griffis on Japan undersood by the Japanese readers. His merit cannot be overestimated.