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Introduction
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As early as 1903 and for years thereafter, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá urged
Bahá’ís to travel to Japan to spread the Message of Bahá’u’lláh. On
occasion He said He Himself would like to go to Japan, and also to
some other countries.
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In 1908 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá wrote to an American believer, Mr.
Howard McNutt
, “A trip of the believers of God to the Orient is of
the utmost importance and it will become the cause of great connection
between the two regions… Perchance, God willing, in Japan,
you may lay the foundation for the Kingdom!”
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In 1910 He said to the first two Bahá’ís to visit Japan, “Blessed
results will appear from the Holy Cause established in that land. I
have sent your letter regarding the work in Japan to Mr. McNutt in
New York, that he may spread the word for some of the American
Bahá’ís to go to Japan, and there serve and teach the Cause. It is
very good for teachers to travel, and, through the love of God, give
life to the people. American Bahá’ís should go to Oriental countries
as teachers.”
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The first Bahá’ís to make the long voyage, Mr. Howard Struven
and Mr. C.M. Remey, 1909; Mme. Aurelia Bethlen, 1911; Mr.
and Mrs. Dreyfus-Barney, 1914, stayed for brief periods of time and
continued around the world. Dr. George Augur and Miss Agnes
Alexander both arrived in 1914—Miss Alexander shortly after Dr.
Augur. They sailed to Japan with the intention of residing there for
some time. All these believers traveled in response to the wishes of
‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Besides Japan, He also encouraged travel in those
early days to China, India, Persia and other Asian countries.
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In the Tablet of the Divine Plan written to the Bahá’ís of the
United States and Canada, Japan is mentioned six times and the
Japanese language itself once. In those Tablets ‘Abdu’l-Bahá again
urged travel. “How good would it be were there any possibility of a
commission composed of men and women, to travel together through
China and Japan…”
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In 1919 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá wrote to Mr. Roy Wilhelm
, “Attach great
importance to the Japanese people. Mrs. Magee should continually
communicate with them.” And again, later in the year to the same
believer, “Convey to Mr. Nasu
, the Japanese, my greeting and say:
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The world of nature is darkness but the heavenly Sun dissipates by
its light this darkness that prevails over the world. Likewise the world
of mind and of souls is a dark one and nothing will illuminate it save
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the rays of the Sun of Truth. My hope therefore is that thou mayest
be the cause of the shining of the Divine Teachings in Japan, that thou
mayest vivify the dead. The people of Japan are intelligent but they
are in need of a leader that he may awaken them. I hope that thou
mayest be the cause of their awakening and may vivify them.”
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To Mr. William Randall
, in 1920, He wrote, “The association
which has been formed for promoting the relationship and love between
America and Japan, will, God willing, be confirmed and assisted.
This association is important. It will unquestionably, bring
forth great results.”
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“These are His very words, that still keep ringing in my ears:
‘Japan will turn ablaze!’”
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The title of this book was taken from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s prophecy
of the spiritual future of Japan as quoted by Shoghi Effendi, Guardian
of the Bahá’í Faith, in his first letter to the Bahá’ís of Japan,
January 26, 1922.
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We have taken the liberty of adding a few words, for the sake of
continuity, and also that the reader, knowing something of the individuals
and circumstances might better observe the creative power in
the words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi as reflected in the lives
and actions of the recipients.
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For further information on the history of the Bahá’í Faith in
Japan, we recommend to the reader History of the Bahá’í Faith in
Japan 1914–1938 by Agnes B. Alexander, and Traces That Remain,
(A Pictorial History of the Early Days of the Bahá’í Faith Among the
Japanese) by Barbara R. Sims.
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Barbara R. Sims
Tokyo, Japan 1992
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