Left: Portrait of Empress Consort Haruko (posthumously known as Empress Shoken, consort of Meiji, Emperor of Japan). Albumen print by Uchida Kuichi, 1872. Source: The Cleveland Museum of ArtFrom commons.wikimedia.org (accessed July 18, 2006)Right:
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) has been variously described as the First American, the Multiple American, Father of all the Americans, Hero of the Capitalist Success Story, Great Man of Letters, Great Scientist, the American Leonardo da Vinci, Master of Irony, and the Most Renowned Private Citizen on Earth. This multi-talented individual distinguished himself as a printer, inventor, statesman, diplomat, economist, humorist, and writer.
As Masons we are aware that he printed the first Masonic publication in the Colonies, became a member of St. John’s Lodge in Philadelphia at the age of 23, served as Warden and Master of his Lodge, was Grand Master of Pennsylvania in 1734, and later affiliated with and became Master of the Lodge of the Nine Sisters in France.
Benjamin Franklin’s Masonic involvement and extensive achievements are well-documented and a proud part of the American heritage. Less well-known, however, is the influence Franklin’s writings had upon Japan during the Meiji period (1868–1912). This era marked the end of the generally stagnant and oppressive Tokugawa Government and Japan’s self-imposed virtual seclusion from the rest of the world for over two hundred years. The Meiji government was anxious to absorb western concepts and encouraged modernization in all levels of society.
Franklin’s autobiography, including his Thirteen Virtues, “The Bold and Arduous Project for arriving at Moral Perfection,” and selections from Poor Richard’s Almanac had been translated into several languages, including Chinese, and naturally received exposure in Japan.
Motoda Nagasone, a noted educator during the Meiji period and personal tutor to the Empress Haruko (Shoken Kotaigo), was an admirer of Benjamin Franklin. He encouraged her to convert Franklin’s Virtues into waka poetry. During this time there was also a modernization of the Japanese language, with both old and new meanings of kanji (Chinese writing adapted to the Japanese spoken language) being used during the transition. The empress, in her waka of Franklin’s Virtues, used a mixture of the old and new meanings, which increases the difficulty of present-day translations.
I am indebted to MWB Toshio Fujino, PGM, 32°, KCCH, a university professor, for the waka translation. He explained that a waka is usually composed of two parts, a statement and an example for comparison, both having metaphors and similes, so that sometimes the two parts seem contradictory and at times there seem to be wide gaps of meaning between the two parts.
Benjamin Franklin’s Virtues and the Empress Haruko’s Waka
1. Temperance. Eat not to dullness. Drink not to elevation. (I wish you to be moderate in taking liquor, even at the occasions of spring flowers [Cherry blossoms] or autumnal colors)
2. Silence. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself. Avoid trifling conversation. (Be sure not to make even trivial works [remarks] unguardedly, as too much is as bad as too little)
3. Order. Let all things have their places. Let each part of your business have its time. (If only you do not take a wrong way, you could get to the profound depth of anything)
4. Resolution. Resolve to perform what you aught. Perform without fail what you resolve. (I wish that human nature were like a true white ball [pearl?] which cannot be burned in the fire)
5. Frugality. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself, i.e., waste nothing. (If we are careful in trimming a young bamboo, even the dew at the end of leaves will not be disturbed)
6. Industry. Lose no time. Be always employed in something useful. Cut off all unnecessary actions. (Even a precious stone will not emit radiance unless polished, so probably will the human mind)
7. Sincerity. Use no hateful deceit. Think innocently and justly, if you speak accordingly. (Though there are a variety of flowers to be made into ornamental hairpins, nothing is more nobler [beautiful] than pureness in heart)
8. Justice. Wrong none by doing injuries or omitting the benefits that are your duty. (I will extend a helping hand to the people; first to those close at hand, then unto those at the distant boundary)
9. Moderation. Avoid extremes. Forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve. (Cherry trees have learned [are taught] to first bloom prettily, before they become old and pass away)
10. Cleanliness. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes or habitation. (Though we can brush off dirt from a white dress, I’m not at ease because of things which weigh on my mind)
11. Tranquility. Be not disturbed at trifles or at accidents common or unavoidable. (Even while one is making every endeavor, the mind should be in an easy state)
12. Chastity. Rarely use venery but for health or offspring—never to dullness, weakness or the injury of your own or another’s peace or reputation. (The Empress did not convert chastity into a waka, possibly due to its personal or delicate nature)
13. Humanity. Imitate Jesus and Socrates. (I wish I could keep my mind modest, like its own level)
The Empress also wrote a tanka which was set to music and sung by all Japanese elementary students. A tanka is a short 31 syllable poem in a 5–7–5–7–7 pattern. The poem was an elaboration of Franklin’s sixth virtue and titled, “Kongo Seki” (Diamond Stone).
Diamond Stone: An Elaboration on Benjamin Franklin’s Virtue “Industry”
If not polished, even a diamond would not show its brilliance,
So could a man become known as a person of virtue,
After he pursues his knowledge with diligence,
As the hands of a clock keep moving around,
Cultivate your knowledge, not wasting your time even for a moment,
And you can accomplish anything in the course of time.
Yukichi Fukuzawa (1835–1901) was the chief propagator of western knowledge during the Meiji period and is revered as one of the founders of the new Japan. He mentioned Franklin in his writing, and there is evidence that Franklin was Fukuzawa’s role model. When considering the following parallels, the obvious coincidence in their lives and achievements strongly implies that Franklin indeed influenced Fukuzawa’s life.
Both had humble origins, became prolific writers, conducted scientific experiments, published newspapers, were fund raisers, recognized the rights and accomplishments of women; Franklin’s academy became the University of Pennsylvania, and Fukuzawa’s Keio Gijuku became Keio University; Franklin knew five languages and Fukuzawa four; Franklin started the Junto and Fukuzawa organized debating societies. Both Japan and the United States have honored these individuals by immortalizing them on their respective currencies; Fukuzawa’s resemblance can be seen on the former 10,000 yen bank note and Franklin’s likeness is on the hundred dollar bill.
History can be defined as the knowledge dealing with past events, a systematic narrative concerned with people and countries, and how these events shaped the future. Clearly, our Brother Benjamin Franklin favorably modified the thinking of peoples of many countries, including Japan. Thus we can say that a Mason’s influence did assist in the westernization and modernization of Japan.
Editor’s Note. This paper was read at the August 1995 quarterly meeting of the Research Lodge of Japan and published in its 1996 proceedings. 2006 is the 250th anniversary of the birth of MW Bro. Benjamin Franklin.
James L. Johnston retired from the U.S. Air Force as a Chief Master Sergeant in 1980, after which he taught at three colleges or universities in Japan, including the Tokyo Kasei College and University, and from 1983 to the present, he has been a Life Insurance Advisor for United Services and Midland National Life Insurance Companies in Tokyo. He was Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Japan (1983), received the KCCH in 1983 and 33° in 1987, has served as Orient Personal Representative since 1991, and is a Charter Member of the Scottish Rite Research Society.
