Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1882-02-24

and since my arrival in Kanazawa,
has also been instructing me.
think he comes from one of the
best families But an interesting
fact in his history, is that he chang
ed his name at marriage, receiving
his wife's cognomen. His wife was
the only child of man Of consider
able rank and wealth, in which case
it seems to be customary for the
husband to receive the wife's name.
At the time appointed, we made
our appearance, and was met at tho
entrance by the hostess, who bowed
very low, holding her head on the
floor for a number of seconds. OF
course we tried to get down in
humble attitude, also; but I per-
formed my salutations with SO
much awkwardness, that, as usual,
I inwardly resolved to give up
that part of missionary life. After
taking off our shoes (Which I always
do with regret since the floor affords
ga cold reception y, we assembled the
stairs to the guest-chamber. There
our host met us with the ease and
suavity so Characteristic of his
people, and we presented ourselves
with the most formal bows that our
stiff foreign backs would admit. My
companion fell upon his knees and
face with the ease of one long prac
ticed in japanese Gus oms but re-
membering my past failures, [ shrank
from displaying my uncouth efforts at
japanese etiquette, SO I remained on
my feet and bowed as low as I
could two or three times, to each
person in the room. Our host in
sisted On Mr.. Wlnn and myself
taking the first seat of honor.
Usually the Oldest men, and those Of
highest rank, are expected to sit at
the head of the circle. / noticed,
during the afternoon, that the guests,
when they came in, would take low
seat, whereupon the host and the
other guests would begin to insist,
with great deal of palaver, that
the newcomer should take a seat
above them. Then ensued a strug-
gle for the lowest seat-so modest
was each one in his own estimation,
or, perhaps, rather SO answering
was each one determined to be in his
adherence to rules of etiquette.
My friend tells me that this struggle
for the lowest seat is some-
times carried into the prayer
meeting, to most ludicrous
extent. In his determination to show
his nodesty, one will sometimes sit
down at the door, and insist on re-
naming there, to his own discomfort
and to the obstruction Of the way
for others.
We took our seats Ia Japanese.
l remained in that position-well,
about one minute. L must confess
that l sat most ungracefully all the
afternoon, sometimes with my feet
crossed before me and sometimes re-
Ginning first one elbow, then on the
other.
Ii you wish to know how japanese
sit, first stand erect with your toes
together and Your heels out. Then
drop upon your knees, and sit back
between your heels, being careful to
keep your toes and knees respective
ly together; and If you can sit III that
position five minutes you are bette I
Japanese than I. The room was a
very beautiful one of IA mails, OF
about rs by 30 feet, nicely papered
and lacqnered. The door-taclDgs
and corners, wherever exposed, beng
covered with lacquer, and very
highly polished. lhe hlbachis, OF
charcoal brazures, were inclUsed II
very neat boxes OF red lacquer. The
| lataml, or mats, were of the the very
best quality.
There were about twenty-five
guests, including seven boys iron
tile Christian SCHOOL 1t was soo1
apparent that in their social gather
ing, they do not lose sight OF thei
1 reilglOn; fer our host tuuk the Bib,
{ and read u chapter, after which b,
= said a few words welcoming hi
friends to his house, and express
ing his delight at having
them. Then different persons
5 were called upon for speecues
: and soon tounu 1t was not yer,
soclabIe meeting after, for L had Il
SIT III my uncomfortable position al
the afternoon, and listen to Ions
speeches, Of which I could not uu-
1 uerstand a word. l learn that thu
3 feature obtains in ali their Shin
box 'ksi, the japanese icing yer,
fond OF making long addresses.
During the afternoon, woman
came in and took her place anon,
= the guests. 1t was amusing to Sc
d the extreme scrupulosity with whicl
;. she adhered to rules of etiquette
She was careful to bob her heas
against the floor no less than tire
= times to each person in the room
= Alter the salutatlons were over sh
t was addressed by one of the gentle
+ men, speaking with her about doz
= en- words, passing, as supposed, tn
u ordinary compliments of weather an
Q health.
d During this brief conversation the
each bowed their heads to the foo
a seven times, the woman persisting /
holding her nose III the dust tn
longest time.
= That woman come into these 90
y clal gatherings at all, is one of til
Y results of Christian teaching.
q After the speeches came refresl