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The feudal system, however, put a stop to the literary growth. The feudal lords were far too occupied in seizing lands and waging wars to give any attention to literature or education. Then came the dark ages, with great set-backs to all literary endeavour. Gradually everybody became tired of this life and thought of the hereafter. The endless feuds and fightings reduced the joy of living to a minimum, and priests and religion were greatly in demand. From the point of view of literature this was all to the good, because it at least insured the preservation of the literature that already existed. The priests also did good work in spreading education.

Meanwhile, great changes were coming about in the outer world. The discovery of America and the discovery of printing were great steps forward; the Reformation was another. All these brought hope to the peoples, and encouraged them to widen their spheres of life. Jesuit missions left Spain and Portugal; some, passing round Cape Horn, arrived in Japan, and were welcomed. Many of the feudal chiefs became Christians, and temples were built at Omi and Kyoto. This was some 350 years ago. This welcome of the foreigners continued for sixty or seventy years, and only ended because of the intrigues of the Jesuits and the jealousies of the various sects. These sixty years brought about in Japan many changes in literature and also in education. The foreign priests were very zealous in teaching the people, and spread education very considerably. When, however, the Shogun decided that it was necessary to expel the foreigners, not only was the religious element shut out, but also the literary and educational intercourse with the West. Only the Dutch, who had sided with the Shogun, were allowed to remain at Nagasaki, under special restrictions. They were not allowed to import books, for fear of any recurrence of religious teaching. Thus Japanese literature, which had begun to expand in that direction under the stimulus of foreign intercourse and books, was stopped in its rapid growth. There were 250 years of this seclusion, which were years of peace, without wars to disturb the country. Japanese literature, however, grew naturally and Japanese philosophy developed.

In the beginning of the nineteenth century British and Russian vessels arrived off the coasts of Japan, even before the advent of Commodore Perry with his American squadron, but were refused permission to enter the country. Russia, in Kamtchatka, also desired a treaty, but met with no encouragement. Although these attempts on the part of foreign nations did not succeed, they are indications of the outside pressure which was gradually being brought to bear upon the country. The people of Japan were also dissatisfied