the ideal saint

1860, Katsu had voyage to the United States along with the first envoy to United States.
He was ship captain.

”How was national character of the United States?”
After returning home,Katsu was asked so from "Yokoi Shōnan" of his friends. (横井小楠)
Yokoi was a Confucian scholar of Japan.

Katsu has described about the political system of the United States.

"It's a society of Yao・Shun." (堯舜)
In response to it, Yokoi replied so.

Yao and Shun.
It's China's legendary Holy emperors.
　
It is said that they had ruled the country with the virtue.
And it is said that they did not the hereditary of their throne.
They were handed over their position to a man of exceptional virtue.

They are the ideal saint of China.


・・・・・・・・・

　
By the way, the era of Confucius is ago in about 2500 years from now.
Even when viewed from that era，Yao and Shun era was mythology of ancient.

Person who Confucius was longing as human.
It's "the Duke of Zhou". (周公)

About 3800 years ago, a country called ”the Shang” was born in China.　(殷)
Its last king called ”Zhou”. (紂)
(Though confusing，these two people are different person.)

He was a very tyrant.
People had suffered greatly for him.
(Although this is due to the recording of the winner.)

Shang had dominated the neighboring countries with a mighty force.
One of its country was "the Zhou". (周)

About 3100 years ago,King of Zhou at that time named "Wu".　(武王)
Finally he stood up to overthrow Shang.

There is also cooperation of neighboring countries，it was successful.
Then he was founded the Zhou kingdom as a central state.

Little brother of Wu who made a very contribution to this founding.
He called duke of Zhou.