ABSTRACT
The Japan of the Past, with all its imperfections, with all its loveliness, is vanishing from the face of the earth, is already dimming in the memories of man.
It was an alluring civilization that was builded by Japan. If not based on aestheticism, still it was color~ ed, made beautiful, entrancing by an artistry of the commonplace that is more pervasive in its charm than all the poppies that bring poppy dreams. The Japan of other days was a world of cruelty, of savagery, per~ haps, in its stark nakedness of man's thirst for power. Thrown about its brutal truths of life floated a gos~ samer veil of sheer loveliness. At times the folds that catch the eye conquer by their severe simplicity; again, it may be an artistic symbolism, or a childlike, trustful joy, or some other phase peculiar unto itself.
