Glimpses of Unfamiliar Japan

Lafcadio Hearn, or 小泉八雲、as he came to be known after naturalization, arrived in Japan in April, 1890. In "Glimpses of Unfamiliar Japan" Hearn describes his early experiences and impressions of the country, at the time 22 years into 維新、or the restoration of the Emperor. Visiting a temple (unnamed) in Yokohama, Hearn writes that temple authorities had posted signs in English informing foreign visitors that "IT IS FORBIDDEN TO INJURE THE TREES" (an interesting choice, not deface or damage, but injure , as of a living thing). I was reminded of a recent story about graffiti on bamboo at Arashiyama in Kyoto and authorities' decision to remove the injured plants.