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Social Science 3 Jose Rizals Life, Works & Writings
CHAPTER 12: Romantic Interlude in Japan (1888)
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One of the happiest interlude in the life of Rizal was his sojourn in the Land of the Cherry Blossoms for 45 days (Feb. 28 Apr. 13, 1888).
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Fate, however, cut short his happy days in Japan. He had to sacrifice his own happiness to carry on his work for the redemption of his oppressed people.
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Rizal Arrives in Yokohama
Early in the morning of Tuesday, February 28, 1888, Rizal arrived in Yokohama. He registered at the Grand Hotel. The next day, how proceeded to Tokyo and took a room at Tokyo hotel, where he stayed from March 2 to March 7.
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Rizal in Tokyo
Shortly after Rizals arrival in Tokyo, he was visited in his hotel by Juan Perez Caballero, secretary of the Spanish Legation. The latter invited him to live at the Spanish Legation. Rizal realized that the Spanish diplomatic authorities were instructed from Manila to monitor his movements in Japan.
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Rizal in Tokyo
He accepted the invitation for two reasons: 1. He could economize his living expenses by staying at the legation. 2. He had nothing to hide from the prying eyes of the Spanish authorities.
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Rizals Impression of Japan
Rizal was favorably impressed by Japan. He was a keen observer, taking copious notes on the life, customs, and culture of the people. The things which favorably impressed Rizal were: were: 1. The beauty of the country its flowers, mountains, streams, and scenic panoramas. 2. The cleanliness, politeness, and industry of the Japanese people. 3. The picturesque dresses and simple charm of the Japanese women.
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Rizals Impression of Japan
4. There were very few thieves in Japan so that the houses remained open day and night, and in the hotel room, one could safely leave money on the table. 5. Beggars were rarely seen in the city streets, unlike in Manila and other cities. However, there is one thing which he did not like in Japan, and that was the popular mode of transportation by means of rickshaws drawn by men.
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Romance with O-Sei-San
One spring afternoon, a few days after he had moved to the Spanish Legation, Rizal saw a pretty Japanese girl walking past the legation gate. Being a man with an eye for feminine beauty, he was attracted by her regal loveliness and charm. Rizal made inquiries among the legation employees and learned from one of them that she was Seiko Usui. The following afternoon, Rizal waited at the legation gate and watched for the girl.
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Romance with O-Sei-San
As the girl slowly approached, he took of his hat and politely introduced himself. Seiko-san was mildly amused at the gallant gentleman. Since that first meeting, Rizal and O-Sei-San met almost daily. Both found happiness in each others company. O-Sei-San beauty and affection almost tempted Rizal to settle down in Japan. At the same time, he was offered a good job at the Spanish Legation.
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Romance with O-Sei-San
Rizals great love for O-Sei-San is attested by the heros diary. With the tenderly tragic entry in his own diary, Rizal bode farewell to lovely O-Sei-San.
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Sayonara, Japan
On April 13, 1888, Rizal boarded the Belgic, an English steamer, at Yokohama, bound for the United States. He left Japan with a heavy heart. Belgic. Rizal befriended a passenger on board the Belgic The passenger was Tetcho Suehiro, a fighting Japanese Suehiro journalist, novelist, and champion of human rights, who was forced by the Japanese government to leave the country, just as Rizal was compelled to leave the Philippines by the Spanish authorities.
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Sayonara, Japan Rizal acted as Tetchos interpreter during their long trip from Yokohama to San Fransisco, across the U.S. to London, where they parted ways. During their acquaintanceship of 8 months (Apr. 13 Dec. 1, 1888), Tetcho came to admire Rizal. In year 1891, Tetcho published a political novel titled Nankai-no-Daiharan (Storm over the South Sea) which resembles Rizals Noli me Tangere. Three years later (1894), he published another novel entitled Ounabara (The Big Ocean) which was similar to El Filibusterismo.
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CLASS ACTIVITY
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