Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1886-12-29
9ailn eagle
A JAPANESE FAMILY.
ANOBLE FATHER, A TENDER MOTHER
AND LOVELY CHILDREN.

AND LOVELY CHILDREN.
Careful Training of the Sons and DauSh-
ters-Several Interesting Customs-Rev-
erent Reliefs of Many Generations-A
Pile of Charms.
In this home an ex-dai1nio and family
dwelled, with whom l exchanged frequent
Inequalities during my sojourn in Japan.
As L was one Of the family in which tho
daimio's youngest brother and eldest son
had found a home while pursuing their
education in America, | was cordially re-
ceived by the ex-prince in turn. The fam
lily then consisted of his wife, two little
girls, two grown daughters and three sons
One baby-and the grandmother OF these
children-a charming old lady three
nurses, and large retinue of servants.
The father was noble specimen CT devo-
ton to his country, yet, withal, an apostle
Of progress. He was one of the many who
had consented to the destruction Of the old
government, and had voluntarily yielded
his revenues and title without murmur,
for the public good. The lady mother and
eldest daughter were peers of the ladies of
any land in their love of beauty, ornament.
elegant dress, and neatness, AMI in their
skill in household management, as well as in
those social amenities and tactics of polite
circles that etiquette prescribes.
This mother was as strong in tenderness.
patience and long suffering for and with her
children as her European or American Sis
tiers; and equally faithful and assiduous in
their training and education, according to
her knowledge. She taught her daughters
as her mother had taught her. that the
three fundamental duties of woman arc
obedience to her parents when child, OBJ
dience to her husband when married, and
obedience to her eldest son, if she becomes
widow
She also instructed them from The Japan
csc Ladies Library, which is a conlpcn-
dunn Of the moral and physical duties of
woman. It includes the subjects of house,
hold and social management, rules for tho
strictest etiquette, a guide to letter writ
ing, proverbs, poems from a hundred au-
thors memoirs of noble women and order
ing for the whole conduct of life They
were likewise taught to read the standard
histories of Japan in Chinese characters, and
both boys and girls were thoroughly drilled
III the Evolutionary heroic and mythology
cal lore OF their own land.
Tho sons were trained to manly sports
and exploits, and their ambition fired by
historic tales of heroes. They were urged
to overcome obstacles by the symbol over
the massive outer door, where swung the
huge paper carp suspended from q bamboo
POLE ever reminding the youth of Japan how
the carp leaps the waterfall. These lads
were also taught natural sciences and mill
tary tactics from English and Dutch au-
thOrs. Often in their half holidays have l
found them constructing miniature earth
works, by the aid of book, diagram and
trowel
Then came the tutor with lessons in fenc-
ing and wrestling and the use of cross
spears and swords, in the handling of which
they became marvelously expert. The father
instructed the sons in the Chinese classics
himself and stimulated their young souls
by tales Of classic lore
One OF the interesting customs | thus
learned Of III the life of this house was that
Of the many festivals-the Feast OF the
Dolls for the daughters of the house, when
year after year the great nursery was
decked with blooming bows, and the many
toys in which Japan abounds, while pretty
mimic life of motherhood and housekeeping
prevailed for one whole day; Of the Feast
of the Banners, when the boys were marched
out in triumph TO the streets, with emblaz-
oned banners to enact a mimic war; Of the
New Years day, when prince and retain
ers, master and servants, pledged anew
their devotion to each other, and received
gifts of good things; of the religious fes-
rivals, when the masters household, like a
great heart, beat for the birth and death,
the joy and sorrow, OF his tenantry.
Here, for two centuries, tine daughters
Of the house had been given in marriage,
without spoken vow or priestly rite but by
gift and song, dance and cheer, began their
new career From thence had gone out
the father to Eeddo or Ful1ui on public or
private business-the sons for education
and culture, the daughters for travel or re-
Hgious duty. These walls had echoed with
songs and laughter, with cries and sobs
Here, in time of bereavement, in the ora
tory of the house whore the sacred lights
and incense burn, one after another black |
tablet was set, gilt-lettered, to be honored
by later generations.
In the path by the old shrine, made sa-
cred By the raverent beliefs Of generations,
L took my final leave of this interesting |
family. | asked for a memento from its |
hallowed contents, and the ex-prince gave
me case Of light wood, containing an |
amulet written in Sanskrit and Chinese, for |
the protection of this ancient house: aud |
as | passed out 81 the great gate, I stood |
under pile of charms a foot in thickness, !
which had been added year by ye2r, to |
ward off sickness and harm-Holen S. H. |
Thompson IL Overland Monthly