em - ‘omenti lotertude In Jepen (1628) 1d economize his living expenses by staying as. (he ae) ne had nothing to hide from the prying atthe 16E spanish authorities. a 7, Rizal checked out of Tokyo Hotel and lived (on March 7 ion. He and Perez Caballero became good tie Spanish fer to Blumentrtt, he described the Spanish i as “a young, fine, and excellent writer” and “an able oa ‘who had traveled much”.” During his ist day in Tokyo, Rizal was embarrassed because te dd not know the Japanese language. He looked like.a Knowid not talk Japanese. He had a hard time Chapter 12 Romantic Interlude in Japa (1888) sy est i sprening, for he could not be understood and the Japanese One of the happiest interludes in the life of Rizal wisi hidten laughed at him. Thus he wrote to Blumentrit. “Here jou have your friend, Rizal the wonder of the Japanese, who fas the face of a Japanese but does not speak Japanese. On the streets, when I go shopping, people,look at me and ill-educated children laugh because I speak such a strange language. In Tokyo very few persons speak English, but in Yokohama many speak it. Some believe I am an Europeanized Japanese who does not Want to be taken as such.” To avoid further embarrassment, Rizal decided to study the Japanese language. Being a born linguist, he was able to speak ‘twithin a few days, He also studied the Japanese drama (kabuki), 4, music, and judo (Japanese art of self-defense). He browsed Museums, libraries, art galleries, and shrines. He visited 1 Bu Nikko, Hakone, Miyanoshita, and the charming willges sojourn in the Land of the Cherry Blossoms for one month 2! a half (February 28 — April 13, 1888). He was enchanted the natural beauty of Japan, the charming manners of ty Japanese people, and the picturesque shrines. Morcover, he ft in love with a Japanese girl, whose loveliness infused joy #¢ romance in his sorrowing heart. Her real name was Seiko Usi Rizal affectionately called her O-Sci-San. Fate, however, o! for his happy days in Japan. He had to sacrifice his o* 'appiness to carry on his work for the redemption of his oppres# people. et Rizal Arrives in Yokohama. Early in the morning of Tues) ‘ebruary 28, 1888, Rizal arrived in Yokohama. He registe at the Grand Hotel. The next day he yn proceeded to Tokyo and took a 100! Tokyo Hotel, where he stayed from March 2 to 7. He Rizal and the Tokyo Musicians. One cool afternoon in March, tte Tongs Sty of Tokyo. He wrote o Profesor BAS] 4 Raa was pomenading ina sect of Tokyo ner 8 atk je ‘pensive than Paris. The wal a beaut re - in eyopean mame es an Tai: The wa the pak Mtl spring afternoon. There were many people at Rizal in Tokyo. Shor ead He ‘yo. Shortly after Rizal's arrival in TOkY® As he approached the park, Rizal heard the Tokyo band Play : re cassical work of Strauss. He was impressed by the the span at his hotel by Juan Perez Caballero, seer} ev lniejPtformances of the Western music. He stopped and the Spanis Spanish Legation. The latter invited him to live atthe SP# Legation, ‘ nel in ra 7 " Ai Ri nee io) tenditigg "Pt attention. He thought: “How admirable was the miso ‘sing an intelligent man, realized that the Pd naa I wonder how these Japanese people have assimilated his ies were instructed from Manila to MO, | mya European music to the extent of playing the beautiful Masterpieces of the great European composers so well!” ny ‘movements in Japan. He accepted the invitation £0" " bs Scanned with CamScanner=p JOSE RIZAL: LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS Romantic Interiude In Japan (1888) ‘The band stopped playing. The musicians des et .es among the legation employees and the bandstand and walked around for a made inquiri ‘dener) that she was sr Test. Soy Japanese gardener) that she Sonverts, a Rizal's amazement, they were talking in Seti 0 one of them parents" home and that she’ used Fee eenttem; inquiring in Tagalog: “Paisano, ct seiko Usin Who lived tt er daily afternoon walk. Po kayo?” (Compatriot, where are you from?), "’ “®*8] ps by the legation it 1oon, Rizal and the Japanese gardener The flowing afterno. Tyatched for the gil AS she ation gat Pr As vat tn reek off his hat and politely introduced himself, re the custom in Germany. At that time, Rizal’s Japanese to his aid and sill very poor so that the gardener came to his Tapined to the girl that the young man was a physician from Manila who was a guest of the Spanish Legation. iko-san was mildly amuséd at the gallant gentleman from the Philippines who spoke in halting Japanese. She replied in Englsh, for she knew that language and also French. The two thea conversed in both English and French — the language tarier was thus eliminated. Since that first meeting, Rizal and O-Sei-San, as Rizal called ‘met almost daily, Together, they visited the interesting spots The musicians were equally surpri 4 8 irprised and deli him.‘ They told him they were Filipinos and than oe instruments in the band were Japanese, but they wer a only the secondary instruments. mm Rizal's Impression of Japan, Rizal was favorably i + imprest by Japan. He was a keen observer, taking copious notes eri life, customs, and culture of the people. He was no sil, i headed tourist who merely enjoys attractive sights that appeid only to the senses. The things whi it i Bi eoce ings which favorably impressed Ri 1. The beauty of the country — its flowers, mountains, streams, and scenie panoramas. 2. The cleanliness, politeness, and industry of the Japanese people. ofthe cit | - : ‘ity — the Imperial Art Gallery, the Imperial Library, ° 3. The. picturesque dress and simple charm of the the universities, the Shokubutsu-en (Botanical Garden), the city \ ‘ats (Particularly Hibiya Park), and the picturesque shrines. then 084 happiness in each other’s company. Rizal was °C Physician of 27 years old, disillusioned. by his Sparish injure’, With Leonor Rivera and embittered by instices at home. O-Sei-San was a lonely samurai’s E 3. ‘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. jg BeBeats were rarely seen in the city streets, unlike in Mania and other cites. 7 “ehter of 25, fon a a Years old and had never yet experienced the and ar Net {here is one thing which he didnot ike in 88] vay'p © te Love, Aitinity of interest in the oie sowed the Tekshare 2S the popular mode of transportation by mea im °F their romance, thuman beings 03,2: His sensitive soul recoiled a 0 P . Rlat sau inoue 7 ‘Mes working like horses, pulling the: carts a vely O-Sei-San the qualities of his ideal 1g HD Ponder, he a beauty, charm, modesty, and intelligence. No Tickshaws. He felt dispuste in ike whee A the! way a human be ‘deeply in love with her. an reciprocated employed like a horse ing iON, for it we : Romance with O.Sei-San, One 5 n, afew ot E10 sce ‘as the first time her heart palpitated with after shad moved Si Spare ee eee - tens,“ ® Man of gallantry, dignity, courtesy, and versatile ‘okyo, Rizal saw a preity Jay past panese girl walking me OSeiSan hy ‘ legation gate: Being a man with an eye for feminine beau," | tear, ane HElPed Rizal in many ways. More than a was attracted by her regal loveliness and charm. He in observinn’s his Buide, interpreter, and tutor. She guided "ooheg NE the shri nowledge ins, an4 villages around ‘Tokyo, She ippongo (Japanese language) and 130 — Scanned with CamScannera OSE RIZAL: LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS Japanese history. And she in tory. terpreted for hi and the quaint customs-and mores of the pale 7 ne, O-Sei-San’s beauty and affecti a fection alm: sei down in Japan. At the same time, he was oes job at 7 Spanish Legation. If he were a man of lesser mould, of lesser will power, he would h in Japan — and happily at that with O-Se-Sen: fet ea ia on that with O-Sei-San; but the eer fa general and the Philippines, in particular, wos ae, jp Sesee. Rizal’s great love for O-SeiSw ero’ i roe cre aa: On the eve of his departure tow. tPan, bas enchanted me. The beautiful scenery, th flowers, the trees, and the inhabitants — so peaceful, # Gourteous, and so pleasant. O-Sei-San, Sayonara, ‘Sayonara! peay® spent a happy golden month; I do not know if e FACE nother one like that in all my life. Love, mone Teniship, appreciation, honors — these have not hit fe ee Mat am leaving this life fr the ance mown. There I was offered an easy way 10 1° beloved and esteemed. 2 To you I dedi of my licate the final chapter of ony 204th. No woman, like you, has ever loved me. ofthe suite You has ever sacrificed for me. Like the owe Taing oa at fas from the stem fresh and whole wither. its fal — 4.0" Without withering — with poetry still despite 1S You fell. Neither have you lost your put nor have the ef Sayonara, Sy ittste petals of your innocence fade these memoirs ‘You shail thought ever return to know that J have once MO" tnd ence 204 hd that your image lives tn my mero lives in the sight 22 always thinking of you. Your 9% animes an go! lip, your image accompanies 2 I find them: * hours I spent ith tweeter, with you return? When color of the came eMail more pleasing? You is freshness, ts elegance 132 Flomantic Interlude In Japan (1888) ‘Ab! last descendant of a noble family, faithful to an anforunate vengeance, you are lovely like. . . everything tas ended! Sayonara, Sayonara! With this tenderly tragic entry in bi farewell to lovely O-Sei-San.? Japan. On April 13, 1888, Rizal boarded the at Yokohama, bound for the United Sites, He left Japan with a heavy heart, for he knew that he would never again see this beautiful “Land of the Cherry Blos- toms” and his beloved O-Sei-San. Truly, his sojourn in Japan for 45 days was one of the happiest interludes in his life. is own diary, Rizal bade Sayonara, Belgic, an English steamer, has to end, the beat inevitably came to a dolorous ending. Sacrit happiness, Rizal had to carry on his libertarian mission in Europe, accordingly, he resumed his voyage, leaving behind the lovely OSeiSan, whom he passionately loved. \ cap b@ke-hearted by the departure of Rizal, the first man 10 tre her heart, O-Sei-San mourned for a long time the loss \ lover. Eventually, she became resigned to her fate, cherish; isguto death the nostalgic memories of her romance with Rizal” dbs 1897, a year ater Rizal's excetion, she married MF” ited Chariton, British teacher of chemistry ofthe Peers Schoo! gat. Their wedlock was blessed by only one eld = ¢ walter named Yuriko. After many years of teaching, Charlier Aeqgatarded by the Japanese government with an imperial tion — Order of Merit, Sth Class. He died on November ° San, whose real name was Sei Tater married 4,015 saved by 0: Youd their daughter Yuriko. This daughter ae Takiguchi, son of a Japanese senator. abi fl Chariton (O-Sei-San), as a widow, lived in 2 comer TL gue in Shijuko district, Tokyo. She survived Worle War of Tojtt home was destroyed in 1944 by the U.S bombing butieg 72° She died on May 1, 1947 at the age ‘of 80. She was Japaness” et husband's tomb at Zoshignwe ‘Cemetery. A inscription on their tomb reads a5 follows: wend Charon, Sth Order of Merit, and Scanned with CamScannerOSE RIZAL: LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS Voyage Across the Pacific. Rizal enjoyed the pleasant tran: a States. On board the ship, he met a semi-Fifgs Voi Sie On ; lipino family — umer,—his_wife Emma Jackson (4, Englishman, their children, and their maid PA nan. Despite his sorrow s-Pacific voyage to he te fy Pang, One day one ofthe children, a bright young boy, asked Rint «Do you know sit, a famous man in Manila named Rcus He wrote a novel, Noli Me Tangere. “Yes, hijo, I am Richal.” replied Rizal. 1m great joy the boy rushed to his mother, informing he that the famous man is their fellow passenger, she feliceitd Rizal, feeling proud that they were travelling with a celeb Rizal and Tetcho. Another passenger which Rizal bftiendel on board the Belgic was Tetcho Suchito, a fighting Japance Tpurealist, novelist, and champion of human rights, who w forced by the Japanese government to leave the country, jt as Rizal was compelled to leave the Philippines by the Spanis " Miborities. At the beginning of the voyage from Yokohan 1piiho was miserably alone, for he knew only his own Japance {anguage and so he could not communicate withthe ship offices Enew."® Passengers. Learning of his predicament, Rizal, #® pe many foreign languages, including Japanese, bette Yokarn acted as bis interpreter during their long trip f tekohama to San Francisco, across the 0.8. to New York ‘hey reached London, where they parted. Rizal and Tetcho were kindred spirits. Both were vals Patriots, implacable foes of injustice and tyranny. Both we aa Of Peace using their trenchant Pens as formidable weap ‘0 fight for their peoples’ welfare and happiness, ” — ‘Romantic Intertude In Japan (1888) ify his own crusade for human rights in im to fort i rm handshake and 1888, after a last war pike ecember 1s * Rizal and Tetcho pat ving each other ee remained in London to conduct meet agai. a ile foes ae Mora at the British Museum, whi ant ssearcl tistical 19 returned to Japan. : e ae cortly after his return to Japan, he uti tpi contained hi impressions of Rizal, as | ee Rizal was a citizen of Manila in the Philippines. age Mat byt 29. Young ws he Was, he was proficient Seven languages.” jo England asin I Bell that we ist met eae Eng wy wy of America ith him, Ever sin I had been inter orig ith” ir-spit- “Rizal was an oper-hearted man, He was not hairsplit- tig, He was an acomplised, good at picture, skill in ‘exquisite wax work, especially.” “lL amived at London late in May, 1888. 1 temporarily ‘Saved at “King Henry's Road,” then moved to Room 56 ‘Farament Hill Road. I intended to stay here until Feb- he ,of March, but unfortunately London had been ‘trouded by fog since carly October. I have a slight illness, weal 8pPeared to be very hard for me to spend the coming Tintr hete. 1 decided to go home, and scheduled to leave London on December the First. On December the First, I got up early, It was a fine mantday, after uncomfortable days of fog and rain. The Toone if it congratulated my lucky departure for home ‘was goin farewell of my people and at 9:30 A.M. when I confi down the Parliament Hill Road, T met Me. Rizal ning up to my hotel. I called him to ride with me on the of seh: Rizal came feom Manila. He has a good command twemyerelferent foreign languages at the age of only of varioayt: «« He was a frank and daring fellow, fond ows arts, especially good at dearing. --. Scanned with CamScanner£, WORKS AND WRITINGS JOSE RIZAL: LIF After the publication of his travel diary, Tetcho rec: his position as editor of Tokyo newspaper, Choya, Sado ed litics. In 1890 he was elected as member of the lover ne of the First Imperial Diet (Japanese parliament), whe Ole carried on his fight for human rights. The following year ge he published a political novel titled Nankai-no-Datharan (Sto i Over The South Sea) which resembles Rizal’s Noli Me Tan, = in plot. Three years later (1894) he published another ee entitled O-unabara (The Big Ocean) which was similar to 5 Filibusterismo. : While still a member of the Imperial Diet, Tetcho died of heart attack in Tokyo in February, 1896 (ten months befor Rizal’s execution). He was then 49 years old. 136 Scanned with CamScanner