Traces That Remain:
A Pictorial History of the Early Days of the Bahá'í Faith among the Japanese

by Barbara R. Sims

edited by Sheridan Sims

chapter 3

start page

single page

chapter 5

Chapter 4

4. 'Abdu'l-Bahá's Prayer for Japan

Miss Alexander had contact for many years with Japan Women's University. She knew that the founder and first president, Mr. Jinzo Naruse had met 'Abdu'l-Bahá in London in 1912.

After she arrived in Japan in 1914, she contacted Mr. Naruse. He asked her to speak in the university chapel. She spoke there at least one other time at the invitation of the second president, Mr. Aso. Mrs. Keith Ransom-Kehler also spoke in the chapel in 1931.

Miss Alexander was acquainted with the first four presidents of the university. The third was Viscount Eiichi Shibusawa, the friend who gave her introductions to prominent people in Korea (see Ch. 24). The fourth president was Mrs. M.H. Inouye, who wrote an interesting article for the Bahá'í World Vol. V.

Mr. Jinzo Naruse, Viscount Shibusawa, and Dr. Masaharu Anesaki, all famous names in Japanese history, started a peace movement called "Concordia." Mr. Naruse, founder of the first

23

---

women's university in Japan (1901) took an around-the-world trip in 1912 in the interests of the movement. While he was in London, he was able to obtain an interview with 'Abdu'l-Bahá. 'Abdu'l-Bahá wrote a prayer in Naruse's notebook. It is the only prayer He wrote for the Japanese. Mr. Naruse's notebook is carefully preserved in the university archives.

click here for larger image

'Abdu'l-Bahá's prayer for Japan

chapter 3

start page

single page

chapter 5