ca 1900)]

"Your name will forever remain associated with the rise of the Faith and
its establishment in Japan and the record of your incessant and splendid
endeavors will shed on its annals a lustre that time can never dim."
(Shoghi Effendi, June 8, 1933)

INTRODUCTION

As early as 1903 and for years thereafter, 'Abdu'l-Baha urged Baha'is to
travel to Japan to spread the Message of Baha'u'llah. On occasion He said
He Himself would like to go to Japan, and also to some other countries.

In 1908 'Abdu'l-Baha wrote to an American believer, Mr. Howard McNutt(1),
"A trip of the believers of God to the Orient is of the utmost importance
and it will become the cause of great connection between the two
regions... Perchance, God willing, in Japan, you may lay the foundation
for the Kingdom!"

In 1910 He said to the first two Baha'is to visit Japan, "Blessed results
will appear from the Holy Cause established in that land. I have sent your
letter regarding the work in Japan to Mr. McNutt in New York, that he may
spread the word for some of the American Baha'is to go to Japan, and there
serve and teach the Cause. It is very good for teachers to travel, and,
through the love of God, give life to the people. American Baha'is should
go to Oriental countries as teachers."

The first Baha'is to make the long voyage, Mr. Howard Struven(2) and Mr.
C.M. Remey, 1909; Mme. Aurelia Bethlen, 1911; Mr. and Mrs. Dreyfus-Barney,
1914, stayed for brief periods of time and continued around the world. Dr.
George Augur and Miss Agnes Alexander both arrived in 1914--Miss Alexander
shortly after Dr. Augur. They sailed to Japan with the intention of
residing there for some time. All these believers traveled in response to
the wishes of 'Abdu'l-Baha. Besides Japan, He also encouraged travel in
those early days to China, India, Persia and other Asian countries.

In the Tablet of the Divine Plan written to the Baha'is of the United
States and Canada, Japan is mentioned six times and the Japanese language
itself once. In those Tablets 'Abdu'l-Baha again urged travel. "How good
would it be were there any possibility of a commission composed of men and
women, to travel together through China and Japan..."

In 1919 'Abdu'l-Baha wrote to Mr. Roy Wilhelm(3), "Attach great importance
to the Japanese people. Mrs. Magee should continually communicate with
them." And again, later in the year to the same believer, "Convey to Mr.
Nasu(4), the J