, 1876-01-16
FEEALE EDUCATION III JAPAN.

| lib Impress OF Japan IS eTldontly n ad
vance of the generality of Royal rulers in the
Eastern countries. She has become greatly
interested in the education of women in
Japan. She contributed largely to the ercc-
ton Of building and the founding Of d
normal school for girls at Yedo, and on Nov.
80 last, the school YVES dedicated and formal
ly opened It began operations with no less
than eighty girls. The Empress, attended by
the Minister OF the Interior aud other high
dignitaries, took part in the proceedings.
The Superintendent in his address said:
Our land affords from oldon days down to the pres
ent time uuulbcricss instances Of yirtuous women
but still, if we regard the matter in respect to the
whole Of our country, must be allowed that the reg
uatiuns for the education Of women are exceedingly
defective. 1t thu present moment reforn In enIiglt-
eminent has gradually progressed. and it is source Of
rejoicing TO the ,nyEads OF people that the Toxic
Normal School for girls has been established and that
by her Mljesys attendance to-day the ceremony Of
opening the school ia 5avorably carried out. Our
earnest desire Ia that those who may in after tima
complete their education here may beeome yirtuous
women, end 80 assist their husbands; rIrtuous
nothss, end 10 instruct teir children and that by
their giving birth to aud rearing up worthy pcpu1s
tfon oHr country may become prosperous and tram
gull land.
The Empress, in reply to the addresses,
Thus expressed her interest in the school:
Upon bearing last year that this school vas about to
be established in order foster tho growth Of educa
ton for girls, Was unable to contain nv ov. 1.s
ccnstr uction has now been completed and tho cere-
mory OF its opening has been performed. My earnest
deF1e is that this school hcnceforh be prosper
os aud that may eventually the beautiful frui.
OF fem,c education appear in profuslon throughout
the whole Of the land.
Several Of the pupils read addresses andre |
cited poems. To all these the Empress made
presents, and the whole aifuir terminated |
happily.
This is the present state OF the woman
question in Japan. The effort made is to
educate girls that they may better assist their
and, as mothers, instruct their chill
dren, and thus contribute to the en1ighten-
ment Of the whole population, that the coun-
try may become prosperous and tranquil
land. Nothing WAS said about the ssTyrant
alan" " nor Of the political equality Of the
sexes. The end sought in Japan, by the high
ar and general education of women, looks
mainly tothe elevation Of the family circ1eby
Introducing therein the enlightenment, i'm
3rovement, and entertainment furnished by
education. The assumption is that an edu-
'ated woman will make a better vito
nd be of greater assistance to her
husband than an uneducated one;
hat well-infor1ned mother can better
instruct her children in all the duties Of {
lie than one not educated; and that a
population proceeding from educated moth 1
rs will give new strength and prosperity to
be country. These are points which do not :
cceivo that consideration in 81 Women's Con- ?
resses to which their importance entities +
hem. The Empress Of J,spsn, however,
akes q very enlightened view Of the necessity S
educating girls. She has established the {
ornaal School to educate girls, who in time h
re to become teachers Of rs many schools. e.
I'd thus extend all over the Empire the mn. p
1inery for educating the female portion Of b
10 rising and ell future generations Mar Il
age and the family relation are not e1- tt
uded from the future Of the educated Girls fl
deed, the education itself is designed to al
them better for That state of life. AZ