The Flowering of Racial Spirit/Foreword
Foreword
I am feeling most pleasant that at present, I find myself in the midst of a New War and a New Dawn. I hope and believe that the day will come in a not very distant future, when all the races of the Orient will realize the magnificent design of “Asia is One,” which is being carried out by the Empire of Japan, our Fatherland, with the final object of restoring the racial spirit of the Orient that is surging among them. Trusting in each other with the depth of alternating current as one group of blood-relatives, we must restore the pride of the Oriental races, which has been bent by Occidental materialism. The Sun of the Orient, which once fell into the hands of invaders, has now been recovered by our hands. Stirring up our valour, which is steadfast and overflowing with sincerity, we must be engaged in the plan of the New Sun. Historically speaking, Japan and the Philippines have been very closely related countries. Now, before us, the Great Road of establishing a New Philippines has been opened with great possibilities by our immutable cooperation. We, Japanese, do not spare any possible effort towards that objective.
Here, several of my shorter pieces have been gathered into one volume, but these were published in Japanese newspapers and magazines and were not written for the original purpose of being read by the Filipino people. Therefore, I fear there may be some parts which are not of interest to them. The translation was made through the efforts of Mr. Nisina, a good friend of mine. I look forward with pleasure, however, to the coming of the day when I will be able to write pieces that are originally intended for the Filipinos. But it is not in the spirit of haughtiness but in the spirit of cooperation with each other.
Asihei Hino
Manila, November 1, 1942.