Introduction
ern world affected the young man deeply, and he wanted to seek his fortune in a wider world.
“At the age of seventeen, I went to Tokyo to study law as a preparation to go into politics. My tendency to argue even today, I am afraid, is a hangover from that experience. Within six months, however, I had to give up any idea of study, for my sight was fast failing.”
A series of examinations by specialists disclosed that he was suffering from a serious case of progressive myopia, and he was told that his sight was like a cracked china bowl. If he used it with care, it might last him a long while; otherwise it would be gone. There was nothing now for him to do but to go back to his parents, who
“… did not consider my case serious. Many a man has been totally blind. If I were to be only near-sighted, I should consider myself very fortunate. There is, moreover, nothing strange for a farmer’s son to be a farmer. In fact believing that now I would probably remain home contentedly, they were quite pleased.”
Of his life during the succeeding four years we know little beyond the fact that he overcame his desire to go to America so that he might care for his aged parents.
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