Dedication
TO
THE MEMORY
OF
MY WIFE
Preface
The Author’s thanks are due to His Excellency Baron G. Hayashi, H.I.J.M.’s Ambassador in London, for most kindly referring to a competent authority in Japan, for confirmation, a doubtful point in feudal land tenure; to Prince Iwakura, Marquis Ōkubo, and Marquis Kido for photographs of three of the eminent statesmen whose portraits appear; to the Right Honorable Sir Ernest Satow for the trouble he took in reading the MS. of the book; to Sir E. F. Crowe, C.M.G., Commercial Counsellor of the British Embassy in Tōkiō, for very useful help given in various ways; and to Miss Maud Oxenden for valuable assistance in proof-correcting.