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後世への最大遺物

Name: 後世への最大遺物
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Author: Kanzō Uchimura

by Kanzō Uchimura

A lecture asking what is the greatest legacy one can leave behind.

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Original language: JapaneseLevel: Advanced2,916 characters · ≈ 12 minSource: 青空文库

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Sample: three-line reading

Each word has its meaning in this sentence underneath, and each sentence has a full translation. Read the original and glance down only when you need to.

はしがきpreface

Preface

このthis小冊子small book / pamphletはas for (topic marker)明治二十七年七月July of Meiji 27 (1894)相州箱根駅Hakone in Sagami Provinceにおいてat / in開設せられしthat was established (archaic passive-past)キリスト教徒第六夏期学校the sixth summer school for Christiansにおいてat / in述べしthat I delivered (archaic past)余の講話my talk / lectureを(object marker)同校委員諸子の承諾the consent of the school's committee membersを(object marker)得てhaving obtainedここにhere印刷に附せしthat has been put into printものなりis (a thing that) / it is that

This small book is my talk given at the sixth summer school for Christians held in July 1894 at Hakone in Sagami, printed here with the consent of the school committee.

事the matter/talkキリスト教Christianityとand学生studentsとandにwith/in relation toかんするconcernことthings多しare manyしかれどもhoweverまたalso多少somewhat一般のgeneral人生life問題questionsを(object marker)論究せざるにあらずdoes not fail to discussこれthisけだしpresumably余のmy親友close friend京都Kyoto便利堂Benrido主人ownerが(subject marker)しいてstronglyこれをit発刊せしurged the publication ofゆえなるべしis probably because読者のthe reader's寛容toleranceを(object marker)待つI ask for

The talk deals much with Christianity and students, but it also discusses some general life questions; this is likely because my close friend, the owner of Benrido in Kyoto, strongly urged its publication. I ask for the reader's tolerance.

明治三十年Meiji 30 (the 30th year of the Meiji era)六月二十日June 20th

June 20, 1897

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About the book

This text consists of the prefaces to a printed lecture, explaining how the talk came to be published and revised over successive editions, along with the author's reflections on the changes he has witnessed since. The prose is formal Meiji-era written Japanese, carrying a measured, personal tone.

Cultural notes (selection)

Background a translation can’t carry: social roles, history and allusions. While reading, tap “Note” at the end of a sentence to see them all.

京都便利堂 History

A Kyoto printing and publishing firm run by Nakamura Yazabemon, renowned for its fine art printing. Uchimura Kanzō and Nakamura were close friends, and the first edition of this book was published by Rinden-dō (便利堂).

膝を打ち合せて Customs

『膝を打ち合せる』 is a set Japanese expression meaning to sit knee to knee and talk openly, with nothing between the parties. Here it contrasts with the tense, heated speeches given on busy city streets like Tokyo, emphasising the intimate, relaxed atmosphere of lectures held in quiet mountain settings.

山陽 Allusion

Refers to Rai San'yō (1780–1832), a kanbun poet and historian of the late Edo period, author of the Nihon Gaishi (Unofficial History of Japan). Uchimura Kanzō came from a family of Takasaki domain samurai and studied Chinese classics from childhood.

About the author

Uchimura Kanzō (March 26, 1861 – March 28, 1930) was a Japanese author, Christian evangelist, and the founder of the Nonchurch Movement (Mukyōkai) of Christianity during the Meiji and Taishō periods. He is often considered the most well-known Japanese pre–World War II pacifist.

How the glosses are made

Word glosses and sentence translations are generated in context by AI models (DeepSeek and Zhipu GLM), and every word is checked to have a gloss. AI can make mistakes; you can report problems from the book page.

FAQ

Is this the original text?

Yes. The library holds the opening section of the public-domain original, taken from 青空文库.

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What level is it?

This one is marked “Advanced”. Every word is glossed, so you can keep reading even with a small vocabulary.

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