"In the meantime, as a sop to the masses, as well as the the Diet and the press, they recommended the election as the new prime minister of one of the grand old characters of Japanese politics, Marquis Okuma. Okuma was well into his seventies, lived in great luxury, and liked nothing better than to relax with a jug of sake and an armful of beautiful young concubines. He was known as the Sage of Waseda becaue he has founded the university of that name, but was apt to make light of learning. The same young fanatic who had killed Viscount Mori had also thrown a bomb at Okuma and blown off his leg, but the new premier was so eccentric that he had cheerfully subscribed to the building of the assasin's memorial: 'He was a great patriot. He meant well.' "

--Leonard Mosley, Hirohito: Emperor of Japan.

Nothing makes the joy of studying early twentieth century Japanese political life more enjoyable than the fact that is it written with that peculiar British flair for droll wit, compelling narrative and a seemingly careless precision in word choice.