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チベット旅行記 / Three Years in Tibet
Three Years in Tibet
Reprint of the 1909 original, with a new introduction by H. K. Kuloy. Account of Kawaguchi s now legendary solo trip, beginning 1899, through a Tibet long hostile to all outside visitors.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1909
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 26, 2021
"...I left Japan for Tibet in June, 1897, and returned to my country in May, 1903. Then in October, 1904, I again left Japan for India and Nepāl, with the object of studying Samskrit, hoping, if possible, again to penetrate into Tibet, in search of more manuscripts."
He just hadn't enough in Japan, this Buddhist monk. Those "Chinese texts of the Tripitaka" weren't enough. He would rather go to the source to read the original sacred texts, learn the language and meet with the 13th Dalai Lama.
"He held a rosary in his left hand. He was then aged twenty-six. He is about five feet eight inches high, a moderate height in Tibet. The Dalai Lama looks very brave. His eyebrows are very high, and he is very keen-eyed."
So he went, in this long journey, through India, Nepal, Shigatze,...; reaching the Sera Monastery, enjoying the "dialectical debate". And still, returning home with some scriptures, to continue his translation work, one Annie Besant got to know.
It’s a journey against illness, the harsh weather, robbers, those “black-hearted Tibetans” (so said the Mongols), even, temptation from a young woman called Dawa. And yet, Ekai finds refuge in the composition of little “uta” poems; once in a while, he thanks the Japanese language for.
Ekai would lament the cruelty of animal killing; and concur on some filth, on the part of some Tibetans. Some had never washed since birth. Then there were monks addicted to alcohol and drinks. Curious tales he got to know like this one lake whose waters were turned into red blood, by a spell of Sarat Chandra Das; yet, a Lama managed to change the waters (back to its prior) color, though the waters remained poisonous.
After the Shigatze temples, Ekai headed towards Lhasa, to meet the 26 year old, "brave" looking Dalai Lama. He writes though: from the 4th to the 9th Dalai Lamas, none reached the age of 25, because they were all poisoned.
By that time the Tibetans were fearing the British. Ekai was famous as a healing doctor.
("My poor sheep! They crept close to me and lay there in the snow, ….")
The book is indeed very thorough. So, you’ll find data on the economy (currency and commerce) and politics of Tibet (its 4 prime ministers, and 3 finances ministers), along with diplomacy (Tibet a protectorate of China) and the anthropology of its people (mainly their costumes/mores) .
Education and the castes system are approached, as well as different types of burials, festivals, calendar and the religions of Tibet. Ekai would mention the Mohammedans already there; the Christian missions had been a “failure”, in his expression.
To the western mind, but surely to the Japanese mind, the women’s situation was new to him; especially in what concerns polyandry (a woman having several husbands).
“Polyandry flourishes in Tibet even at the present time, and it is considered by the general public to be the right thing to follow …”.
Following the advice of a woman (“you are in danger”) he would leave Tibet, to get back to his nation, Japan. Yet with a Shakespearean sense of “all’s well when ends well”.
As I write these final lines, I cannot escape wondering about what would Ekai say on today’s Tibet. I just watched the video on the “demolishing and eviction” of the people and Larung Gar (a school of Tibetan Buddhism), and cannot refrain from saying: China’s will to destroy the Tibetan culture is relentless. That's sad.
At least we have the memory of those, like Ekai, who wrote about that culture and lived in it while it was alive.
He just hadn't enough in Japan, this Buddhist monk. Those "Chinese texts of the Tripitaka" weren't enough. He would rather go to the source to read the original sacred texts, learn the language and meet with the 13th Dalai Lama.
"He held a rosary in his left hand. He was then aged twenty-six. He is about five feet eight inches high, a moderate height in Tibet. The Dalai Lama looks very brave. His eyebrows are very high, and he is very keen-eyed."
So he went, in this long journey, through India, Nepal, Shigatze,...; reaching the Sera Monastery, enjoying the "dialectical debate". And still, returning home with some scriptures, to continue his translation work, one Annie Besant got to know.
It’s a journey against illness, the harsh weather, robbers, those “black-hearted Tibetans” (so said the Mongols), even, temptation from a young woman called Dawa. And yet, Ekai finds refuge in the composition of little “uta” poems; once in a while, he thanks the Japanese language for.
Ekai would lament the cruelty of animal killing; and concur on some filth, on the part of some Tibetans. Some had never washed since birth. Then there were monks addicted to alcohol and drinks. Curious tales he got to know like this one lake whose waters were turned into red blood, by a spell of Sarat Chandra Das; yet, a Lama managed to change the waters (back to its prior) color, though the waters remained poisonous.
After the Shigatze temples, Ekai headed towards Lhasa, to meet the 26 year old, "brave" looking Dalai Lama. He writes though: from the 4th to the 9th Dalai Lamas, none reached the age of 25, because they were all poisoned.
By that time the Tibetans were fearing the British. Ekai was famous as a healing doctor.
("My poor sheep! They crept close to me and lay there in the snow, ….")
The book is indeed very thorough. So, you’ll find data on the economy (currency and commerce) and politics of Tibet (its 4 prime ministers, and 3 finances ministers), along with diplomacy (Tibet a protectorate of China) and the anthropology of its people (mainly their costumes/mores) .
Education and the castes system are approached, as well as different types of burials, festivals, calendar and the religions of Tibet. Ekai would mention the Mohammedans already there; the Christian missions had been a “failure”, in his expression.
To the western mind, but surely to the Japanese mind, the women’s situation was new to him; especially in what concerns polyandry (a woman having several husbands).
“Polyandry flourishes in Tibet even at the present time, and it is considered by the general public to be the right thing to follow …”.
Following the advice of a woman (“you are in danger”) he would leave Tibet, to get back to his nation, Japan. Yet with a Shakespearean sense of “all’s well when ends well”.
As I write these final lines, I cannot escape wondering about what would Ekai say on today’s Tibet. I just watched the video on the “demolishing and eviction” of the people and Larung Gar (a school of Tibetan Buddhism), and cannot refrain from saying: China’s will to destroy the Tibetan culture is relentless. That's sad.
At least we have the memory of those, like Ekai, who wrote about that culture and lived in it while it was alive.
November 4, 2023
A well written journey to Lhasa about the year 1900. The Japanese priest Ekai wishes to study Buddhism and visit the Dalai Lama. Tibet is a very violent place at the time. Murder and robbery beset the very few people that manage to get through it's border. Even in Lhasa the poverty and corruption make life very difficult. He achieves his quest and returns to Japan and writs his story. A very good read. Glad I spent my time reading it.
November 13, 2012
An amazing three year journey of a Buddhist monk from Japan making his way into Tibet which was closed to almost all foreigners at the time (1899- 1902). The book is initially very tedious as it takes almost 50 chapters to get into Tibet, with the narrative discussing day after day of travel through the rugged terrain. However, once he gets into Tibet he provides a fascinating view of the culture, society, justice, domestic relations, politics, religion, etc. Kawaguchi a very admirable and knowledgeable figure also provides insight to the politics of Japan, Britain, Russia and the international relationships in Central Asia. While Kwaguchi's motive was simply to learn Tibetan and more of Tibetan Buddhism, his motives are seen as sinister by the paranoid culture of Tibet making the endeavor dangerous and complex.
August 20, 2020
Although it's a long book, the chapters are small (few pages) which makes you keep reading.
The book is about the travel of Ekai Kawaguchi from Japan to Tibet via India and Nepal in 1900, i.e. about 100 years ago. It can be called a practical history book describing the scenario of the world in that period. During that time, Japan was an emerging country while and probably had a spirit of the voyage and exploring for new things. While going to Tibet, he uses route from Sunali, Kathmandu, Pokhara, Manang, Kailash Parbat, Shigatse and to Lhasa.
In the book, Kawaguchi, a monk, says he was determined to go to Tibet to learn Buddhism. But after reading the detailed account in the book about history, economy, foreign relation, society etc, it appears he was more than a monk. Maybe he was a spy, which he denies multiple times in the book. He also easily makes friends with high ranking officials which increases the doubt that he was not only a monk. In one chapter he could not answer how his travel was funded when asked by Nepalese Prime minister. These are the points of suspicions. Further, he workes as a doctor in Lhasa by prescribing medicines.
I was interested in the book to the condition of Nepal during that time. I will describe some of the interesting notes Kawaguchi wrote. He describes the Nepalese army as well trained and high ranked due to which Tibetians feared and obeyed Nepal more than the Chinese counterpart. At that time, India did not exist as it was ruled by British Raj. Tibet had to make an alley with Russia to counterbalance the Nepali foreign pressure. Nepal is described as a land of plenty and Tibetian went to Nepal to have a prosperous life.
Lastly, he describes Garuisankar as the highest peak in the world, which is not true, it should be Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest).
The book is about the travel of Ekai Kawaguchi from Japan to Tibet via India and Nepal in 1900, i.e. about 100 years ago. It can be called a practical history book describing the scenario of the world in that period. During that time, Japan was an emerging country while and probably had a spirit of the voyage and exploring for new things. While going to Tibet, he uses route from Sunali, Kathmandu, Pokhara, Manang, Kailash Parbat, Shigatse and to Lhasa.
In the book, Kawaguchi, a monk, says he was determined to go to Tibet to learn Buddhism. But after reading the detailed account in the book about history, economy, foreign relation, society etc, it appears he was more than a monk. Maybe he was a spy, which he denies multiple times in the book. He also easily makes friends with high ranking officials which increases the doubt that he was not only a monk. In one chapter he could not answer how his travel was funded when asked by Nepalese Prime minister. These are the points of suspicions. Further, he workes as a doctor in Lhasa by prescribing medicines.
I was interested in the book to the condition of Nepal during that time. I will describe some of the interesting notes Kawaguchi wrote. He describes the Nepalese army as well trained and high ranked due to which Tibetians feared and obeyed Nepal more than the Chinese counterpart. At that time, India did not exist as it was ruled by British Raj. Tibet had to make an alley with Russia to counterbalance the Nepali foreign pressure. Nepal is described as a land of plenty and Tibetian went to Nepal to have a prosperous life.
Lastly, he describes Garuisankar as the highest peak in the world, which is not true, it should be Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest).
July 19, 2022
this is my current comment-in-review, as I continue to process and read the narrative of Ekai Kawaguchi's observations.
this is from my comment-in-review to Brian Kibler on his 'Hearthstone' C.C.G. youtube channel,
(key-word: Ekai Kawaguchi, Three Years in Tibet. This book, at the core of the Secret History of the World, is a v CONSCIOUS understanding of a fantastic journey into Tibet, recognizing literal Reality, but so understanding of the plight besieged daily in elements, by those surviving the Himalayahs. Imagine... they're leaving Tibet, when it starts to rain. Cold and wet, they need only walk two more miles to gain a night's rest... when the Coolie has already claimed to be too tired to go forward. When turning a bend they find a small tent, which is too small for owner to freely give, when the coolie sticks his head in and refuses to move. This Holy Man stays awake all night long, following the passage of letter to physician's office of Dalai Lama, to ease the resting comfort of his five companions, so that his paid companion may rest for the evening. (now, this could be multiple things) This guy stayed awake all night long in the Himalayahs under threat of robbery and death, just to transmit the knowledge of, "Buddha,"-- which this poor sucker attributed to the consciousness of a singular male figure! Can you belivee it?!! So, this story is v conscious, paying attention to teh suffering of the average human being amongst their Reality, and not just how great a time this dude had relaxing at the Shinto Shrine with his make-believe stepsister Harem)
You should know this book is at the core of the secret history of teh world.
this is from my comment-in-review to Brian Kibler on his 'Hearthstone' C.C.G. youtube channel,
(key-word: Ekai Kawaguchi, Three Years in Tibet. This book, at the core of the Secret History of the World, is a v CONSCIOUS understanding of a fantastic journey into Tibet, recognizing literal Reality, but so understanding of the plight besieged daily in elements, by those surviving the Himalayahs. Imagine... they're leaving Tibet, when it starts to rain. Cold and wet, they need only walk two more miles to gain a night's rest... when the Coolie has already claimed to be too tired to go forward. When turning a bend they find a small tent, which is too small for owner to freely give, when the coolie sticks his head in and refuses to move. This Holy Man stays awake all night long, following the passage of letter to physician's office of Dalai Lama, to ease the resting comfort of his five companions, so that his paid companion may rest for the evening. (now, this could be multiple things) This guy stayed awake all night long in the Himalayahs under threat of robbery and death, just to transmit the knowledge of, "Buddha,"-- which this poor sucker attributed to the consciousness of a singular male figure! Can you belivee it?!! So, this story is v conscious, paying attention to teh suffering of the average human being amongst their Reality, and not just how great a time this dude had relaxing at the Shinto Shrine with his make-believe stepsister Harem)
You should know this book is at the core of the secret history of teh world.
November 12, 2025
The only reason I was drawn to this book was to see if what the Chinese government say about Tibet before they took control, was true, and I found it under CHAPTER LXII The Government:
"This lord is an absolute master of his people, both in regard to their rights and even their lives.
"The lord levies a poll-tax on the inhabitants, and even the poorest are not exempted from this obligation. [...] Besides, every freeholder must pay land tax, the land held by him being understood theoretically to belong to the lord. However heavy the burden of the poll-tax may be, each person is obliged to pay it, for if he neglects to do so he is liable to be punished with flogging and the confiscation of his property to boot."
"This lord is an absolute master of his people, both in regard to their rights and even their lives.
"The lord levies a poll-tax on the inhabitants, and even the poorest are not exempted from this obligation. [...] Besides, every freeholder must pay land tax, the land held by him being understood theoretically to belong to the lord. However heavy the burden of the poll-tax may be, each person is obliged to pay it, for if he neglects to do so he is liable to be punished with flogging and the confiscation of his property to boot."
June 1, 2025
Three Years in Tibet is an interesting case. On the one hand, it is a fascinating glimpse of 1900s' life in one of the most isolated places in the world. On the other, reading it is a chore.
Every lake, mountain, and temple along the way is described in excruciating detail, giving a (repeated) sense of déjà-vu, especially during the first half of the book. It is almost as if the Ekai Kawaguchi wanted us to experience the arduous journey to Tibet alongside him.
Persevere, however, and you'll be treated to a genuinely intriguing second half, after the author does eventually make it there. The hand-drawn images are a delight, making for nice (and arguably needed) resting stops for what is an otherwise dull read. Read the coloured version, if you can.
Every lake, mountain, and temple along the way is described in excruciating detail, giving a (repeated) sense of déjà-vu, especially during the first half of the book. It is almost as if the Ekai Kawaguchi wanted us to experience the arduous journey to Tibet alongside him.
Persevere, however, and you'll be treated to a genuinely intriguing second half, after the author does eventually make it there. The hand-drawn images are a delight, making for nice (and arguably needed) resting stops for what is an otherwise dull read. Read the coloured version, if you can.
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August 17, 2015似乎是刪節本，結束在很突兀的地方
等繁體版看完再一起寫感想好了
河口慧海看到西藏僧侶娶妻生子非常不以為然
又說日本僧侶娶妻應該是有不得不然的苦衷
他自己嚴格遵守過午不食，且不食肉飲酒的戒律
看來到了明治末期，至少黃檗宗還守漢傳佛教的戒律
亦或是只有慧海個人發心???
等繁體版看完再一起寫感想好了
河口慧海看到西藏僧侶娶妻生子非常不以為然
又說日本僧侶娶妻應該是有不得不然的苦衷
他自己嚴格遵守過午不食，且不食肉飲酒的戒律
看來到了明治末期，至少黃檗宗還守漢傳佛教的戒律
亦或是只有慧海個人發心???
Want to read
October 29, 2015To be available at Project Gutenberg.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews