p. 621 | Northern Japan by F. H. De Vinney

Pacific Press Publishing Association

FromSigns of the Times, Harvest Ingathering Number

Northern Japan

By F. H. De Vinney

F. H. DE VINNEY

HOKKAIDO, the northern main island of Japan, has a population of about two million. With its vast plains and wooded hills, its climate and other features, it reminds one of the United States.

Until the last half of the twelfth century, it was inhabited exclusively by the Ainus, the aborigines of Japan, when a few of the people of the Yamato race went there to live. Many eminent Japanese scholars hold that the Ainus are related to the Eskimos, whom they much resemble.

The Ainus have never been reached by Christianity to any extent; and though many still remain in little villages scattered through the island, they are sunk in ignorance and heathen superstition. Since 1870, the Japanese government has encouraged migration from the other main islands of Japan; and now Hokkaido has several cities with more than one hundred thousand inhabitants. It is said, by those best acquainted with conditions, to be more open to the influences of the gospel than any other part of the country.

PIONEERING AMONG INCA INDIANS IN PERU
How our missionaries cross rivers in grass boats. — PIONEERING AMONG INCA INDIANS IN PERU How our missionaries cross rivers in grass boats.

We expect that workers will enter this unworked territory this year. Not only to the Japanese, but to the Ainus, must be given the good news of a soon coming Saviour.

AINU FAMILY OF NORTH JAPAN AT WORK They are of the aboriginal tribe of Japan, to whom the gospel of Christ's soon coming is to go.

We are also looking to the south, to the island of Formosa, which is a possession of Japan, and must be worked from here.