Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1868-11-18
DOMESTIC LIFE JAPAN.
Family Relations.

ward each other in their family rela
tiOns. Among the lower classes faith
, ers may often be seen earressinr thei
t children. | have before me now a ma
tive sketch of family, Ather. moth
er and children, walking along tn,
ishoreS Of one OF the numerous inlet,
Of thesea which intersectthese island
in all directions. The father bears ,
a single sword, and therefore belong
to class above that of a labOrer oI
tradesman. BY the sumptuary law,
of Japan doctors, for instance, are per
mitted TO carry one sword, while the
retainers of princes, and all who art
I accounted gentlemen wear two. This
father carries on his back his son. q
stout child, who is stretching our his
hand to his mother. The BOYS head
is carefully shaved, with the exception
of small tuft ON each Side above the
ear, which as he grows older, will be
permitted 10 lengthen, and finally
VIII be drawn up and stiHened into a
eOiffure similar to that Of his paternal
parent. The mother has the aid Of q
stick, necessitated by her using tall
patterns. Her large straw hat hangs
from her shoulders. She also carries
a parcel, strapped by thong round
her waist. We may conclude that
they are travellers who have had wet
ground to pass over, from the careful
way in which their feet are projected.
the husband wearing, instead of his
ordinary sandals, others that are
adapted fof. had roads In the dis
tance rises Ensi-yama. Possibly.
therefore, these travellers are proceed-
ing to Neddo, the capitol cify OF Jap
an. The sea is dotted with rowing
and sailing boats, most of which are
employed in fishing operations, so nee
essary where the population depends
mainly on the tinny tribe for their
maintenance.
In the summer time, almost naked
.cOpper-cOlOred fathers may often be
seen carrying in their arms entirely
naked cOper-cOlored children, who
seem perfectly eontented with their
nurses.
Sometimes drink is the cause of
much unhappinessin japanese homes,
rs in those nearer TO US; but as rule,
domestic life rolls on smoothly enough
thanks 10 the forbearanee of the wives.
for the habits of the husbands are not
always conducive to the happiness Of
married life.
Once year feast is celebrated TO
the births of children.
Houses where there has been an addi-
ton TO the family are decorated with
flags and streamers Of eolored e0tten.
Over the threashold, small figures,
dressed in gay eolors, are suspended
from long poles; two denote the birth |
Of son, and one TINT of daughter.
Among the higher classes the heads
Of families often show their devotion |
to their relatives by their extremest |
self-sacrifice, killing themselves by
-hc hari-kari, or happy dispatch,
when through any circumstance the /
aw has been violated, in order that /
he consequences of the act NAV not |
all upon their relatives, who would |
otherwise be liable to forfeiture of
and perhaps death, if the un-
oward act were not at once acknowl-
'dged and atored for by this shocking
lind of suicide. Among the high Of
icials it is point of honor to perform
his act if any failure occurs in their
department. which would render them
liable Is the displeasure of the supremei
'ower, and by so doing all bad cOnse-
luences are aveTted from their chill
lren, and their sons are sometimes
,laced in high offices as a reward for
he fathers self-abnegatiOn.
As another instance of their self de-
Otion, the servant of a much loved
ord Will some times cause himself tobe J.
laced in a small stone Enclosure, and
overed with eartI, pipe conveying
efficient air to the mouth to support
The devoted servant
rays incessantly for his master until
cath from inanition puts an end to
is self-inflicted sufferings.
Parents are said by the old Dutch
-riters frequently to give up their
rOperty to their children on the lat 9
er attaining their majority, and from [
he tender care of the latter for
leir father and mother, they have t
sldOm cause TO cause 10 regret this
bdicatiOn of power and property. tG
TOy-shOps abound i'm Japan, and '
his fact is regarded as a proof of the Q
of the seniors for the
Oung people. By-the-by We may v
lentiOn here the admirable way 2
l which the squeaking Dutch dolls $
re initiated by japanese toy makers q
'ith few bits of bamboo and paper.
hese babies, which have the unmis- \
lkable Dutch features, squeak on i
ressure quite as successfully as those Il
hich amuse our children. o
Female domestics wait ON their mis- V
esses, attend them TO the baths, hold o
nbrellas over their heads TO protect 4
lem from the glare OF the sun, or o
ON rain or snow, cook food, and
weep, and do the small amount of
requisite in japanese
buses.
The system of noblemen assembling G
Ound them all their most distant re- b
liners makes the ramificatiOns of Jap g
lese families extend as widely as didi n
-Ose of the Highland clans in the n
ST century, and these retainers are e
devoted to the interests of the head Il
the family, and as willing to sacri- Il
e life and and all that makes it val 81
lble for their prince, as the dunnie tG
assels Were to fight and die for their n
Iieftains. "