Fascinating info from Dr. Baelz

Serizawa, I read that those chrysanthemum dolls were a specialty of
Hongo...I wasn't sure if those place names you mentioned are in
Hongo but they are VERY beautiful (^_^) *thank*you* for sharing
---------------------------
*following info from...

Baelz, Erwin O. E. von, 1849-1913. Awakening Japan: the diary of a
German doctor: Erwin Baelz, edited by his son, Toku Baelz;
translated from the German by Eden and Cedar Paul.

*I think people who study Meiji Era Japan would find this book worth
its weight in gold because you will be exposed to alot of "insider"
information not to mention Dr. Baelz's sincere attempts at
incorporating jiujitsu+kenjutsu into a physical education program
(summarized in this article here http://www.ao-denkou-
kai.org/new_page_6.htm)

*he was not an adventurer, mercenary or missionary, but a
professional with alot of money and access to people in power...but
at the same time curious and humble in his observations of Meiji Era
Japan

Dr. Fukuzawa and Yamakawa Kenjiroo see [post
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SHQ/message/2023]
were not the only ones who were fascinated with the mysteries of the
human mind
(written by someone who *OBSERVED* Dr. Baelz treating a
patient...deals with fox possession and religious ecsctasy...and the
commentary at the end is a bit odd since Dr. Baelz's treatments are
based on science)
http://1happyturtle.com/DrBaelz/drbaelzfox1.jpg
http://1happyturtle.com/DrBaelz/drbaelzfox2.jpg
---------------------------

(self-control)
Page 122
*Hana, Dr. Baelz's wife, lost her 12 year old adopted daughter
*Dr. Baelz frequently compares the Japanese to Roman stoicism
"Sometimes Hana's self-control makes me uneasy. Those who do not
know the depths of her feelings and the tenderness of her heart
might regard her as callous. They would make a great mistake!"

Page 118
*I certainly HOPE that a certain member of the TMPD called upon to
provide security of the Queen Mother, on more than one occasion
would –not- be subject to this form of treatment (^_^)
"An evening or two ago I was invited to a Japanese supper at the
palace of the Emperor's mother. The court ladies pressed "sake" on
me, intending to amuse themselves by making me rather drunk. I was
equal to the occasion, however, having a fairly strong head."

*Dr. Baelz also treated, and saved the life of Emperor Meiji's real
birth mother, Nii no tsubone.

(plain clothes policeman)
Page 83
Mori Arinori was the Minister of education I think…Mori made very
many important contributions during the era but many western
scholars will mention that Mori wanted English to be the official
language of Japan (it is sad that a person's most radical belief
ends up defining him historically)
"As soon as Mori entered the room, Nishino sprang on him and stabbed
him in the belly with a great kitchen-knife. A plain clothes
policeman (the minister's constant attendant), armed with a Japanese
two-handed sword disguised as a swordstick, drew his weapon and
instantly clove Nishino's skull. For some obscure reason it was
three hours before professional help could be secured for Mori, who
by that time was unconscious from loss of blood."

*I have read 2 accounts of Mori Arinori murder and this is the
*first time that I have heard of Mori's bodyguard….interesting how
much time passed before he was given medical aid

Treated Okuma, the minister of foreign affairs after assassination
attempt
Dr. Baelz was also the trusted physician of Yamagata Aritomo and
NUMEROUS other important figures (e.g. Viscount Enomoto, crown
prince = emperor Taisho)… and often called upon to treat important
foreign dignitaries….essentially this German doctor knew many people
on a professional and personal basis.

*a Matsudaira plays polo
-----------------------------
PICS (there is a pic of his daughter Uta who died young...it was
extremely depressing to read his diary entries during that period)
http://1happyturtle.com/DrBaelz/drbaelztitle.jpg
http://1happyturtle.com/DrBaelz/drbaelz1.jpg
http://1happyturtle.com/DrBaelz/drbaelz2.jpg
http://1happyturtle.com/DrBaelz/drbaelzfamily.jpg
*Dr. Baelz frequently mentions his BELOVED wife after the birth of
their son...I believe that entries regarding the courtship of Hana
were omitted by the folks who published the book because Dr. Baelz
had the tendency to write down just about -everything- in his
personal diary....he took a great interest in the status of
woman...and he was very much a down to earth normal young man

*secretarytocapt3*

sorry to clutter the list...
I needed to clarify that he has NOT treat Viscount Enomoto but has
attended Enomoto party and met him on several occasions...I'm only
half way through the book who knows he may treat Enomoto soon (^_^)

--- In SHQ@yahoogroups.com, "secretary"
wrote:

> Treated Okuma, the minister of foreign affairs after assassination
> attempt
> Dr. Baelz was also the trusted physician of Yamagata Aritomo and
> NUMEROUS other important figures (e.g. Viscount Enomoto, crown
> prince = emperor Taisho)… and often called upon to treat important
> foreign dignitaries….essentially this German doctor knew many

people

> on a professional and personal basis.

> Serizawa, I read that those chrysanthemum dolls were
> a specialty of
> Hongo...

First of all, sorry for mistaking Hongo for Bange.

AFAIK, the only "Hongo" that I have heard of nearby is
Hongo-machi, next to Aizu Wakamatsu. Though
Hongo-machi is better known for its pottery
(Hongo-yaki) than chrysanthemum dolls...

Nihonmatsu is a bit far from Aizu, lying eastwards
from Aizu Wakamatsu.

> I wasn't sure if those place names you
> mentioned are in
> Hongo but they are VERY beautiful (^_^) *thank*you*
> for sharing

No problem :)



=====
Serizawa Kamo

"I am the bone of my sword.
Steel is my body,and fire is my blood.
I have created over a thousand blades.
Unknown to Death.
Nor known to Life.
Have withstood pain to create many weapons.
Yet, those hands will never hold anyting.
So as I pray, unlimited blade works."

(Fate/Stay Night)



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