Anniversary in Tokyo

Into Tokyo's Metropolitan Gymnasium last week poured an impressive throng of 4,500 Anglicans and Episcopalians, including church dignitaries from eleven nations, to celebrate the centenary of their first mission in Japan.* The Buddhists had just been in the same hall to commemorate the 2,500th anniversary of Buddha's birth by posing such questions as "Does the accomplishment of sunya [nothingness] depend on pratityasamutpada [cause and effect]?" The Anglicans held a more down-to-earth meeting. There were speeches on the benefits of atomic energy and discussions of the Communist menace to Asia. But the high point of the meeting was the Communion service conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Geoffrey Francis Fisher.

Decked in the miter and cope presented to him by Japan's Anglicans in 1948. in which he had crowned Elizabeth II, the Archbishop presided over Communion for 4,000 delegates, ancl, gave them a sermon. Said the Archbishop, reminding Japan--and the world--of the last war: "None of us dares forget the years of war. so full of evil and hateful memories.'' When the service was over, everyone got an obento --a box lunch of fish cakes, eggs, white rice and sesame seeds.

There was one other meal that caused no end of consternation. The Archbishop was not invited to the royal banquet following the wedding of Crown Prince Akihito and Princess Michiko--apparently because imperial officials had confused him with the Communist-lining "Red Dean" of Canterbury. "It's fearfully embarrassing for Ambassador Sir Oscar Morland," said one Briton. "Morland has been invited, yet Fisher outranks him. In fact, Fisher outranks everyone in England except the royal family."

If anything, hearty Geoffrey Fisher seemed relieved at having one less official affair to sit through. On a quick tour of the Far East, he had plenty to do in Japan. He wanted to visit Kobe to consecrate St. Michael's Cathedral and see various Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. What did he most want to see in Japan? Replied Fisher: "What I most wanted to see was Bishop Michael Hinsuke Yashiro [Japan's Anglican Presiding Bishop]--and I am very happy to have seen him."

Lest anyone think he was slowing down at 71, the Archbishop had a direct word for his Anglicans. Said he, on his arrival in Tokyo: "My trip through the East to this point has left me untouched by mental, moral or physical indigestion. To be the Archbishop of Canterbury, you must be tough."

*Founded by U.S. Episcopalians John Liggins and Channing Moore Williams.

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