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2/10/1941 - Quotations from de Becker’s “Principles and Practice of the Civil Code of Japan” by Thomas L. Blakemore

NOT FOR PU LICA O TLB WSR Nichome ichibeicho Azabu Tokyo Japan February Dar Mr Rogers Having pushed rapidly first chapter layman fifteen pages first weeks occurred might glance introductions English translations Civil Code oerhaps things about Y library Becker Principles Practice Civil Code Japan Sebald The Civil Code Japan modern I In these addition understandable historical account which I looking I found interest observations Not being adverse stealing thunder I rumble myself I quote freely From Becker As consequence Code having compiled basis European models teinology borrowed This necessitated adopti ensive vocabulary special technical words which translations German originals The resnlt often becomes difficulty render legal terms appropriate English equivalents tutor versed English English already agree6 In instances thebest translation amours simply definitions conceDt_ons therefore notwithstanding exercise considerable found virtually impossible instances cumbrous somewhat strange expressio times paraphrase eneavour preserve eaning Japanese To attempt translate Oriental language literally hopeless while transltion technicl always risky It interest state legal lauguag Japan created using combinations Japanese Cinese characte pronounce manner peculiar count2y great ingenuity having displayed forming necessary Cempounds Owing inexhaustible material available ideographs Japanese language capable vigerous unlimited growth exaggeration human intellect probably incapable conceing however abstruse profound which cannot immedlateloy presented extraordinary lucidity brevity ecuracy Chinese Japnese characters incorporate vernacular throug medium sound ideographs hDloyed The following serve illustrate process translating legal words Japanese means ideogaphs Civil Law Compounded IN people nation H6 precept N MIN changes M combination euphony people people words Civil Law pertaining citizens YMP Constitutional Law Compounded KEN fundamental pattern H6 precept The N KEN changes M combinatio euphony which serves fundamental pattern Constitutional Law I SHI HYOSHI Epression Intention Co ounded I thought SHI think desire I SHI intention manifest forth evfnce SHI display notify express tentlon express intention SHINRI RYSHO mental reservation Compounded SHIN M Ri S reason RYD retain H0 guard preserve To retain preserve reason intention which being meaning mental reservation Sebald discusses troubles translator expresses caution which References ordinances Supreme Court decisions translation given thought exhausting possible erial rather illustrating Japanese viewpoint various problems which arise Furthermore footnotes serve students comparative pitfalls which ahead Japanese Jurisprudence demonstrating dangerous solely entire Dode The footnotes serve demonstrate practical manner cardinal principles which Japanese founde6 Laws rarely merebutlines details vhich rounded Imperial Departmental Ordinances Incidentallv convert letter Agony column anyone become V J Sebald He practiced international Kobe until couple years returned America I No I knows present occupation I shoul whenever return America information appreciated Sincerely