How little they knew of the world! How acutely they felt their lack of knowledge, and yearned to know more!

A portrait of Watanabe Kazan by Tsubaki Chinzan to mark the 13th anniversary of Kazan's death.  | TAMAHARA MUSEUM / PUBLIC DOMAIN
A portrait of Watanabe Kazan by Tsubaki Chinzan to mark the 13th anniversary of Kazan's death. | TAMAHARA MUSEUM / PUBLIC DOMAIN

It was impossible. The pursuit of knowledge — unless Confucius had taught it, or was said to have by his official Japanese interpreters — was criminal. It implied criticism of the government — a crime punishable by death.