Lakhasly

One of the happiest interludes in the life of Rizal was the sojourn in the Land of the Cherry Blossoms for one month and a half (February 28 - April 13, 1888).One day one of the children, a bright young boy, asked Rizal:

    "Do you know, sir, a famous man in Manila named Richal?" He wrote a novel, Noli Me Tangere. In great joy the boy rushed to his mother, informing her that the famous man is their fellow passenger, she felicitated Rizal, feeling proud that they were traveling with a celebrity. RIZAL AND TETCHO. Another passenger that Rizal befriended onboard the Belgic was Tetcho Suehiro, a fighting Japanese journalist, novelist, and champion of human rights, who was forced by the Japanese government to leave the country, just as Rizal was compelled to leave the Philippines by the Spanish authorities. At the beginning of the voyage from Yokohama, Tetcho was miserably alone, for he knew only his own Japanese language and so he could not communicate with the ship officers and the passengers. Learning of his predicament, Rizal, who knew many foreign languages, including Japanese, befriended him and acted as his interpreter during their long trip from Yokohama to San Francisco, across the U.S. to New York until they reached London, where they parted. Rizal and Tetcho were kindred spirits. Both were valiant patriots, implacable foes of injustice and tyranny. Both were men of peace using their trenchant pens as formidable weapons to fight for their people's welfare and happiness. Rizal told Tetcho the story of his life's mission to emancipate his oppressed people from Spanish tyranny and of the persecutions which he and his family suffered from the vindictive Spanish official and bad friars, causing him to flee to foreign countries where he could feely carry on his libertarian activities. During their intimate acquaintanceship of almost eight months (April 13-December 1, 1888) Tetcho came to admire Rizal, whose patriotism and magnificent talents greatly fascinated him and influenced him firmly to fortify his own crusade for human rights in his own country. On December :1, 1888, after a last warm handshake and bidding each other "goodbye," Rizal and Tetcho parted ways --- never to meet again.On the eve of his departure, he wrote in his diary:

    "Japan has enchanted me. The beautiful scenery, the flowers, the trees, and the inhabitants --- so pleasant. O-Sei-San, Sayonara, Sayonara! I have spent a happy golden month; I do not know if I can have another one like that in all my life. Love, money, friendship, appreciation, honors -- these have not been wanting. To think that I am leaving this life for the uncertain, the unknown. There I was offered an easy way to live, beloved and esteemed... To you, I dedicate the final chapter of these memoirs of my youth. No woman, like you, has ever loved me. No woman, like you, has ever sacrificed for me. Like the flower of the chodji that falls from the stem fresh and whole without falling leaves or without withering -- with poetry still despite its fall -- thus you fell. Neither have you lost your purity nor have the delicate petals of your innocence faded -- Sayonara, Sayonara! You shall never return to know that I have once more thought of you and that your image lives in my memory, and undoubtedly, I am always thinking of you. Your name lives in the sight of my lips, your image accompanies and animates all my thoughts. When shall I return to pass another divine afternoon like that in the temple of Meguro? When shall the sweet hours I spent with your return? When shall I find them sweeter, more tranquil, more pleasing? You the color of the camelia, its freshness, its elegance... Ah! The last descendant of a noble family, faithful to an unfortunate vengeance, you are lovely like . . . everything has ended! Sayonara, Sayonara! With this tenderly tragic in his own diary, Rizal bade farewell to lovey O-Sei-San."He left Japan with a heavy heart, for he knew that he would never again see this beautiful "Land of the Cherry Blossoms" and his beloved O-Sei-San. Truly, his sojourn in Japan for 45 days was one of the happiest interludes in his life. O-SEI-SAN AFTER RIZAL'S DEPARTURE. As everything on earth has to end, the beautiful romance between Rizal and O-Sei-San inevitably came to a dolorous ending. Sacrificing his personal happiness, Rizal had to carry on his libertarian mission in Europe, accordingly, he resumed his voyage, leaving behind the lovely O-Sei-San, whom he passionately loved. Broken-hearted by the departure of Rizal, the first man to capture her heart, O-Sei-San mourned for a long time the loss of her lover. Eventually, she became resigned to her fate, cherishing unto death the nostalgic memories of her romance with Rizal."Together, they visited the interesting spots of the city -- the Imperial Art Gallery, the Imperial Library, the universities, the Shokubutsu-en (Botanical Garden), the city parks (particularly Hibiya Park), and the picturesque shrines.Shorty after Rizal's arrival in Tokyo, he was visited at his hotel by Juan Perez Caballero, secretary of the Spanish Legation.O-Sei-San reciprocated his affection, for it was the first time her heart palpitated with joys to see a man of gallantry, dignity, courtesy, and versatile talents.He thought: "How admirable was the rendition. I wonder how these Japanese people have assimilated modern European music to the extent of playing the beautiful musical masterpieces of the great European composers so well!"Rizal was then a lonely physician of 27 years old, disillusioned by his frustrated romance with Leonor Rivera and embittered by Spanish 

Injustices at home.If he were a man of lesser heroic mold, of lesser will power, he would have lived permanently in Japan - - and happily at that with O-Sei-San, but then the world, in general, and the Philippines, in particular, would have lost a Rizal.Onboard the ship, he met a semi-Filipino family -- Mr. Reinaldo Turner, his wife Emma Jackson (daughter of an Englishman, their children, and their maidservant from Pangasinan.In 1889, shortly after his return to Japan, he published his travel diary which contained his impressions of Rizal, as follows:

    Mr. Rizal was a citizen of Manila in the Philippines.He visited Meguro, Nikko, Hakone, Miyanoshita, and the charming villages of Japan.Rizal saw in lovey O-Sei-San the qualities of his ideal womanhood - - beauty, charm, modesty, and intelligence.Mrs. Chalton (O-Sei-San), as a widow, lived in a comfortable home in Shinjuku district, Tokyo World War II, but her home was destroyed in 1944 by the U.S. bombing of Tokyo.A Japanese inscription on their tomb read as follows: 

    Alfred Charlton, 5th Order of Merit, and wife Seiko.Rizal remained in London to conduct historical research on Mora at the British Museum, while Tetcho returned to Japan.'Rizal being an intelligent man realized that the Spanish diplomatic authorities were instructed from Manila to monitor his movements in Japan.The things which favorably impressed Rizal in Japan were:

The beauty of the country -- its flowers, mountains, streams, and scenic panoramas.Rizal made inquiries among the legation employees and learned from one of them (a Japanese gardener) that she was Seiko Usui, who lived in her parents' home and that she used to pass by the legation during her daily afternoon walk.Seiko-san was mildly amused at the gallant gentleman from the Philippine who spoke in halting Japanese.On April 13, 1888, Rizal boarded the Belgic, an English steamer, at Yokohama, bound for the United States.About 1897, a year after Rizal's execution, she married Mr. Alfred Charlton, a British teacher of the chemistry of the Peers' School in Tokyo.Despite his sorrowing heart, Rizal enjoyed the pleasant trans-Pacific voyage to the Unified States."Here you have your friend, Rizal the wonder of the Japanese, who has the face of a Japanese but does not speak Japanese. On the streets, when I go shopping, people look at me and ill-educated children laugh because I speak such a strange language. In Tokyo, very few people speak English, but in Yokohama, many speak it. Some believe I am a Europeanized Japanese who does not want to be taken as such."He browsed in the museums, libraries, art galleries, and shrines.As he approached the park, Rizal heard the Tokyo band playing a classical work of Strauss."Paisano, taga saan po kayo?""Yes, hijo, I am Richal," replied Rizal.RIZAL IN TOKYO.

One of the happiest interludes in the life of Rizal was the sojourn in the Land of the Cherry Blossoms for one month and a half (February 28 - April 13, 1888). He was enchanted by the natural beauty of Japan, the charming manners of the Japanese people, and the picturesque shrines. Moreover, he fell in love with a Japanese girl, whose loveliness infused joy and romance in his sorrowing heart. Her real name was Seiko Usui. Rizal affectionately called her O-Sei-San. Fate, however, cut short his happy days in Japan. He had to sacrifice his own happiness to carry on his work for the redemption of his oppressed people.

    RIZAL ARRIVES IN YOKOHAMA. Early in the morning of Tuesday, February 28, 1888, Rizal arrived in Yokohama. He registered at the Grand Hotel.



    The next day he proceeded to Tokyo and took a room at Tokyo Hotel, where he stayed from March 2 to 7. He was impressed by the city of Tokyo. He wrote to Professor Blumentritt: “Tokyo is more expensive than Paris. The walls are built in a cyclopean manner. The streets are large and wide.” 



    RIZAL IN TOKYO. Shorty after Rizal’s arrival in Tokyo, he was visited at his hotel by Juan Perez Caballero, secretary of the Spanish Legation. The latter invited him to live at the Spanish Legation. 



    Rizal being an intelligent man realized that the Spanish diplomatic authorities were instructed from Manila to monitor his movements in Japan. He accepted the invitation for two reasons: (1) he could economize his living expenses by staying at the legation and (2) he had nothing to hide from the prying eyes of the Spanish authorities.



    On March 7, Rizal checked out of Tokyo Hotel and lived at the Spanish Legation. He and Perez Caballero became good friends. In a letter to Blumentritt, he described the Spanish diplomat as “a young, fine and excellent writer” and “an able diplomat who had traveled much”.



    During his first day in Tokyo, Rizal was embarrassed because he did not know the Japanese language. He looked, Japanese, but could not talk Japanese. He had a hard time shopping, for he could not be understood and the Japanese children laughed at him. Thus he wrote to Blumentritt. “Here you have your friend, Rizal the wonder of the Japanese, who has the face of a Japanese but does not speak Japanese. On the streets, when I go shopping, people look at me and ill-educated children laugh because I speak such a strange language. In Tokyo, very few people speak English, but in Yokohama, many speak it. Some believe I am a Europeanized Japanese who does not want to be taken as such.”



    To avoid further embarrassment, Rizal decided to study the Japanese language. Being a born linguist, he was able to speak it within a few days. He also studied the language drama (kabuki), arts, music, and judo (Japanese art of self-defense). He browsed in the museums, libraries, art galleries, and shrines. He visited Meguro, Nikko, Hakone, Miyanoshita, and the charming villages of Japan.



    RIZAL AND THE TOKYO MUSICIANS. One cool afternoon in March 1888, Rizal was promenading in a street of Tokyo near a park. It was a beautiful spring afternoon. There were many people in the park.



    As he approached the park, Rizal heard the Tokyo band playing a classical work of Strauss. He was impressed by the superb performances of Western music. He stopped and listened in rapt attention. He thought: “How admirable was the rendition. I wonder how these Japanese people have assimilated modern European music to the extent of playing the beautiful musical masterpieces of the great European composers so well!”



    The band stopped playing. The musician descended from the bandstand and walked around for a rest. Some began to converse. To Rizal’s amazement, they were talking in Tagalog. He approached them, inquiring in Tagalog. “Paisano, taga saan po kayo?” (Compatriot, where are you from?).



    The musicians were equally surprised and delighted to meet him. They told him they were Filipinos and that the principal instruments in the band were Japanese, but they were playing only the secondary instruments.



    RIZAL’S IMPRESSION OF JAPAN. Rizal was favorably impressed by Japan. He was a keen observer, taking copious notes on the life, customs, and culture of the people. He was no silly, light-headed tourist who merely enjoys attractive sights that appealed only to the senses. The things which favorably impressed Rizal in Japan were:

The beauty of the country -- its flowers, mountains, streams, and scenic panoramas.
The cleanliness, politeness, and industry of the Japanese people.
The picturesque dress and simple charm of the Japanese women.
There were very few thieves in Japan so the houses remained open day and night, and in the hotel room, one could safely leave money on the table.
Beggars were rarely seen in the city streets, unlike in Manila and other cities.

    However, there is one thing which he did not like in Japan, and that was the popular mode of transportation by means of rickshaws drawn by men. His sensitive soul recoiled at seeing human beings working like horses, pulling the carts called rickshaws. He felt disgusted at the way a human being was employed as a horse.



    ROMANCE WITH O-SEI-SAN. One spring afternoon, a few days after he had moved to the Spanish Legation in the Azabu district of Tokyo, Rizal saw a pretty Japanese girl walking past the legation gate. Being a man with an eye for feminine beauty, he was attracted by her regal loveliness and charm. He craved to meet her -- but how?



    Rizal made inquiries among the legation employees and learned from one of them (a Japanese gardener) that she was Seiko Usui, who lived in her parents’ home and that she used to pass by the legation during her daily afternoon walk.



    The following afternoon, Rizal and the Japanese gardener waited at the legation gate and watched for the girl. As she approached, he took off his hat and politely introduced himself, as was the custom in Germany. At that time, Rizal’s Japanese was still poor so the gardener came to his aid and explained to the girl that the young man was a physician from Manila who was a guest of the Spanish Legation.



    Seiko-san was mildly amused at the gallant gentleman from the Philippine who spoke in halting Japanese. She replied in English, for she knew that language and also French. The two then conversed in both English and French -- the language barrier was thus eliminated.



    Since that first meeting, Rizal and O-Sei-San, as Rizal called her, met almost daily. Together, they visited the interesting spots of the city -- the Imperial Art Gallery, the Imperial Library, the universities, the Shokubutsu-en (Botanical Garden), the city parks (particularly Hibiya Park), and the picturesque shrines.



    Both found happiness in each other’s company. Rizal was then a lonely physician of 27 years old, disillusioned by his frustrated romance with Leonor Rivera and embittered by Spanish 

Injustices at home. O-Sei-San was a lonely samurai’s daughter of 23 years old and had never yet experienced the ecstasy of true love. The affinity of interest in the arts paved the way for their romance.

    Rizal saw in lovey O-Sei-San the qualities of his ideal womanhood - - beauty, charm, modesty, and intelligence. No wonder, he fell deeply in love with her. O-Sei-San reciprocated his affection, for it was the first time her heart palpitated with joys to see a man of gallantry, dignity, courtesy, and versatile talents.



    O-Sei-San helped Rizal in many ways. More than a sweetheart, she was his guide, interpreter, and tutor. She guided him in observing the shrines and villages around Tokyo. She improved his knowledge of Nippongo (Japanese language) and Japanese history. And she interpreted the Kabuki plays and the quaint customs and mores of the Japanese people.



    O-Sei-San’s beauty and affection almost tempted Rizal to settle down in Japan. At the same time, he was offered a good job at the Spanish Legation. If he were a man of lesser heroic mold, of lesser will power, he would have lived permanently in Japan - - and happily at that with O-Sei-San, but then the world, in general, and the Philippines, in particular, would have lost a Rizal.



    RIZAL ON O-SEI-SAN. Rizal’s great love for O-Sei-San is attested by the hero’s diary. On the eve of his departure, he wrote in his diary:



    “Japan has enchanted me. The beautiful scenery, the flowers, the trees, and the inhabitants --- so pleasant. O-Sei-San, Sayonara, Sayonara! I have spent a happy golden month; I do not know if I can have another one like that in all my life. Love, money, friendship, appreciation, honors -- these have not been wanting.



    To think that I am leaving this life for the uncertain, the unknown. There I was offered an easy way to live, beloved and esteemed…



    To you, I dedicate the final chapter of these memoirs of my youth. No woman, like you, has ever loved me. No woman, like you, has ever sacrificed for me. Like the flower of the chodji that falls from the stem fresh and whole without falling leaves or without withering -- with poetry still despite its fall -- thus you fell. Neither have you lost your purity nor have the delicate petals of your innocence faded -- Sayonara, Sayonara!



    You shall never return to know that I have once more thought of you and that your image lives in my memory, and undoubtedly, I am always thinking of you. Your name lives in the sight of my lips, your image accompanies and animates all my thoughts. When shall I return to pass another divine afternoon like that in the temple of Meguro? When shall the sweet hours I spent with your return? When shall I find them sweeter, more tranquil, more pleasing? You the color of the camelia, its freshness, its elegance…



    Ah! The last descendant of a noble family, faithful to an unfortunate vengeance, you are lovely like . . . everything has ended! Sayonara, Sayonara!



    With this tenderly tragic in his own diary, Rizal bade farewell to lovey O-Sei-San.”



    SAYONARA, JAPAN. On April 13, 1888, Rizal boarded the Belgic, an English steamer, at Yokohama, bound for the United States. He left Japan with a heavy heart, for he knew that he would never again see this beautiful “Land of the Cherry Blossoms” and his beloved O-Sei-San. Truly, his sojourn in Japan for 45 days was one of the happiest interludes in his life.



    O-SEI-SAN AFTER RIZAL’S DEPARTURE. As everything on earth has to end, the beautiful romance between Rizal and O-Sei-San inevitably came to a dolorous ending. Sacrificing his personal happiness, Rizal had to carry on his libertarian mission in Europe, accordingly, he resumed his voyage, leaving behind the lovely O-Sei-San, whom he passionately loved.



    Broken-hearted by the departure of Rizal, the first man to capture her heart, O-Sei-San mourned for a long time the loss of her lover. Eventually, she became resigned to her fate, cherishing unto death the nostalgic memories of her romance with Rizal.”



    About 1897, a year after Rizal’s execution, she married Mr. Alfred Charlton, a British teacher of the chemistry of the Peers’ School in Tokyo. Their wedlock was blessed by only one child -- a daughter named Yuriko. After many years of teaching, Charlton was awarded by the Japanese government with an imperial decoration -- Order of Merit, 5th Class. He died on November 2, 1915, survived by O-Sei-San, whose real name was Seiko Usui, and their daughter Yuriko. This daughter later married Yoshiharu Takiguchi, son of a Japanese senator.



    Mrs. Chalton (O-Sei-San), as a widow, lived in a comfortable home in Shinjuku district, Tokyo World War II, but her home was destroyed in 1944 by the U.S. bombing of Tokyo. She died on May 1, 1947, at the age of 80. She was buried in her husband’s tomb at Zoshigawa Cemetery. A Japanese inscription on their tomb read as follows: 



    Alfred Charlton, 5th Order of Merit, and wife Seiko.



    VOYAGE ACROSS THE PACIFIC. Despite his sorrowing heart, Rizal enjoyed the pleasant trans-Pacific voyage to the Unified States. Onboard the ship, he met a semi-Filipino family -- Mr. Reinaldo Turner, his wife Emma Jackson (daughter of an Englishman, their children, and their maidservant from Pangasinan.



    One day one of the children, a bright young boy, asked Rizal:



    “Do you know, sir, a famous man in Manila named Richal?” He wrote a novel, Noli Me Tangere.



    “Yes, hijo, I am Richal,” replied Rizal.



    In great joy the boy rushed to his mother, informing her that the famous man is their fellow passenger, she felicitated Rizal, feeling proud that they were traveling with a celebrity.



    RIZAL AND TETCHO. Another passenger that Rizal befriended onboard the Belgic was Tetcho Suehiro, a fighting Japanese journalist, novelist, and champion of human rights, who was forced by the Japanese government to leave the country, just as Rizal was compelled to leave the Philippines by the Spanish authorities. At the beginning of the voyage from Yokohama, Tetcho was miserably alone, for he knew only his own Japanese language and so he could not communicate with the ship officers and the passengers. Learning of his predicament, Rizal, who knew many foreign languages, including Japanese, befriended him and acted as his interpreter during their long trip from Yokohama to San Francisco, across the U.S. to New York until they reached London, where they parted.



    Rizal and Tetcho were kindred spirits. Both were valiant patriots, implacable foes of injustice and tyranny. Both were men of peace using their trenchant pens as formidable weapons to fight for their people’s welfare and happiness.



    Rizal told Tetcho the story of his life’s mission to emancipate his oppressed people from Spanish tyranny and of the persecutions which he and his family suffered from the vindictive Spanish official and bad friars, causing him to flee to foreign countries where he could feely carry on his libertarian activities. During their intimate acquaintanceship of almost eight months (April 13-December 1, 1888) Tetcho came to admire Rizal, whose patriotism and magnificent talents greatly fascinated him and influenced him firmly to fortify his own crusade for human rights in his own country.



    On December :1, 1888, after a last warm handshake and bidding each other “goodbye,” Rizal and Tetcho parted ways --- never to meet again. Rizal remained in London to conduct historical research on Mora at the British Museum, while Tetcho returned to Japan.’



    In 1889, shortly after his return to Japan, he published his travel diary which contained his impressions of Rizal, as follows:



    Mr. Rizal was a citizen of Manila in the Philippines. Age about 27 to 29. Young as he was, he was proficient in seven languages.”  



    “It was in S/S Belgic that we first met. I came to England by way of America with him. Ever since I had been intercourse with him.”



    “Rizal was an open-hearted man. He was not hair-splitting. He was an accomplished, good at pictures, skillful in exquisite was work, especially.”



    “I arrived at London late in May 1888. I temporarily stayed at “King Henry’s Road,” then moved to Room 56 of Parliament Hill Road. I intended to stay here until February or March, but unfortunately, London had been shrouded by fog since early October. I have a slight illness, and it appeared to be very hard for me to spend the coming winter here. I decided to go home and was scheduled to leave London on December the First.



    “On December the First, I got up early. It was a fine day, after uncomfortable days of fog and rain. The sun rose as if it congratulated my lucky departure for home. I took a farewell of my people and at 9:30 A.M. when I was going down the Parliament Hill Road, I met Mr. Rizal coming up to my hotel. I called him to ride with me on the coach. Mr. Rizal came from Manila. He has a good command of seven different foreign languages at the age of only twenty-seven… He was a frank and daring fellow, fond of various arts, especially good at dearing 



    After the publication of his travel diary, Tetcho resigned his position as editor of Tokyo newspaper, Choya, and entered politics. In 1890 he was elected as a member of the lower house of the First Imperial Diet (Japanese parliament), where he carried on his fight for human rights. The following year (1891) he published a political novel titled Nankai-no-Daiharan (Storm Over the South Sea) which resembles Riza’s Noli Me Tangere in plot. Three years later (1894) he published another novel entitled O-unabara (The Big Ocean) which was similar to El Filibusterismo., 1896 (ten mo



    While still a member of the Imperial Diet, Tetcho died of a heart attack in Tokyo in February 1896 (ten months before Rizal’s execution). He was then 49 years old.