SHOW TASTE IN BOOKS.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 503, 10 January 1906, Page 3

SHOW TASTE IN BOOKS.

Several of Shakespeare's Works Have Been Translated by Prof, Tsubouchi.

It is but 40 years since an English book was practically unknown in Japan, the only foreign literature studied was the Chinese, and the first foreign language to be taught in the schools was the Dutch. Now, while the English is the most common among tire people aud is studied by all high elas-s pupils, German and French are favored generally by scholars and physicians. There is a foreign language school in Tokio, where almost all languages are taught, and, curiously enough, Russian is the favorite. The study of English literature in Japan is represented by Prof. Yuze Tsuhouchl, who has translated into Japanese some of Shakespeare's plays —"Othello," "Macbeth,' and "The Merchant of Venice." The most widely known English writer in Japan is Carljie. All students of English literature in Japan read his works. Next to Carlyle comes Macaulay and the new Hanyaku, or translation style, was practically created by borrowing his language by the Minyu'shimen, a literary band in Tokio. Emerson is greatly ar'iiired and his writings have influenced many notable Japanese journalists of to-day. Mill and Herbert Spencer have also influenced the thought of modern Japan. Tennyson, Longfellow, Wordsworth, Byron and Milton are the most popular poets, and in Action Irving, Thackeray and Dickens are best known. Bellamy's "Looking Backward" has been recently translated into Japanese.