p. 7 | The Novel in Japan

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 13, 1908

The Novel in Japan

THE unclean novel, that pernicious parasite of a free press, is rapidly finding its way into countries but recently opened to modern ways. China and Japan are suffering already from a flood of such literature, and soon no doubt Korea also will be bearing her share of the noxious burden. Modern civilization brought to the Orient the demoralizing agencies of liquor and opium which ruin the body, and the salacious novel is following in their wake to do the same work for the mind and heart. A Tokyo paper appropriately designates the writers of such works “the messengers of Beelzebub, putting on the masks of smiling angels to tempt men.” That paper calls such books “the most terrible enemy of young people,” and warns every household to “build an iron wall to keep out immoral novels.” Japan having opened wide her door to the messengers of gospel, Satan will do what he can to make her regret it by ruining the character of her young people with the vicious product of a conscienceless press. Japan would set the world a good example if she would refuse to permit such literature to enter her ports.