In-Depth Notes on Rizal's Romantic Interlude in Japan (1888)

Overview of Rizal's Romantic Interlude in Japan 1888

  • Timeframe: February 28 - April 13, 1888
  • Location: Japan, known as the Land of the Cherry Blossoms.

Rizal's Arrival in Japan

  • Initial Landing: Arrived at Yokohama on February 28, 1888.
  • Accommodation: Registered at the Grand Hotel, Yokohama.

Stay in Tokyo

  • Travel to Tokyo: Moved to Tokyo Hotel the next day.
  • Cost Comparison: Noted that Tokyo is more expensive than Paris.
  • Infrastructure Observations:
    • The walls of buildings constructed in a cyclopean manner.
    • Streets perceived as large and wide.

Social Interactions

  • Visit from Juan Perez Caballero:
    • The Secretary of the Spanish Legation invited Rizal to live at the Spanish Legation.
    • Accepted invitation to save money and because he had nothing to hide from authorities.

Cultural Experiences

  • Language Learning:
    • Faced embarrassment for not knowing Japanese (日本語, Nihongo).
    • Studied the language within a few days.
  • Interest in Local Arts:
    • Studied Kabuki (Japanese drama), arts, music, and Judo (self-defense).
    • Visited museums, libraries, art galleries, and shrines.

Impressions of Japan

  • Personal Impressions:
    • Praised Japan for its:
    • Beauty of landscapes.
    • Cleanliness and politeness of people.
    • Industry among Japanese.
    • Picturesque dress and charm of Japanese women.
    • Lack of crime; very few thieves, rarely seeing beggars.
  • Transportation: Dissatisfied with rickshaws drawn by men.

Romance with O-Sei-San

  • Meeting Seiko Usui (O-Sei-San):
    • Met her outside the legation and learned she took daily afternoon walks.
    • They started communicating despite Rizal’s limited Japanese; she spoke English and French.
  • Joint Adventures:
    • Together, they visited places of interest such as:
    • Imperial Art Gallery
    • Imperial Library
    • Shokubutsu-en
    • Hibiya Park
  • Admiration for O-Sei-San:
    • Rizal found qualities of his ideal woman in her:
    • Beauty, charm, modesty, and intelligence.
    • She assisted him in improving his knowledge of Japanese history and language.

Emotional Turmoil and Departure

  • Dilemma:
    • Tempted to settle in Japan due to love for O-Sei-San but also judged by a good job offer at the Spanish Legation.
  • Departure:
    • Boarded the Belgic to the USA, feeling heartbroken about leaving Japan and O-Sei-San, marking his time there as one of the happiest interludes of his life.

Post-Rizal Life of O-Sei-San

  • Life After Rizal:
    • A year after Rizal's death, she married Mr. Alfred Charlton, a British chemistry teacher, and had a daughter named Yuriko.
    • Received the Order of Merit, 5th class.

Voyage to the USA

  • Encounters on the Belgic:
    • Met the Turner family, who were proud to travel with a celebrity.
    • A bright young boy recognized him as Richal.
  • Friendship with Tetcho Suehiro:
    • Cultivated a friendship with a Japanese journalist and activist.
    • Shared similarities in their patriotic causes and mutual disdain for oppression.
    • Tetcho later published political writings resembling Rizal's works.

Conclusion

  • Rizal's time and experiences in Japan contributed significantly to his personal development, cultural understanding, and the relationships he formed during his travels.