The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-04-08
ETIQUETTE In THE ORIENT.
The Curious Rules Regulating Soeial Affairs
Among the Residents of japan.
sp.eial to the 1ndianspoli. gournal

special TO the indianapolis Journal
NEWARK, N. j., April IA conversation with
Japanese student at enc Of our colleges recent
ly brought out ints resting facts relating to
the street etiquette of that lett-handed nation.
A young Japanese gentleman promenadine the
streets of Yokohama must act very differently
from his cousin on Fifth avenue. Should he be
SO fortunate as to meet young lady he must
sheer of to the right, and at a respectful
distance pass her unnoticed, even though he be
acquainted with her. She must tip her parasol
to such an angle as to conceal her face, and if
she be very precise turn her eyes earthward,
though it is more likely her womanly curiosity
will prevail, and she will peep just little
through q hole in her sunshade. If the
cavalier should chance to meet maiden who
suits his fancy to such degree thas he wishes
to marry her, he will follow her a distance
that he may learn where she lives. aud at
o'clock that evening he approaches the garden
wall and tosses over his shoe. Returning to
make his observation, If the shoe is gone he
has been accepted; il it still remains he has
been rejected.
There is scarcely any American custom which
surprises JaUanese more, when he hrst turns
his telescope on the solar system of Occidental
etiquette, than the sight of young people walk
ing the streets arm in arm. such liberty n
Japan is unheard of, undreamed of. save on one
solemn occasion. Has some woe overtaken
them, or is unavoidable calamity foreseen.
then, as they walk to the rivers bank to drown
their sorrow beneath its waves linked affection
ately arm in arm; then, and only then, is this
custom permissible.
When it comes to calling, the poor man of tie
house where the call is received has hard time
of it. de must receive his visitors with the
greatest respect, and remain kneeling while
they ask him some such list of questions as this:
How is your grandfather? Has he recovered
from his recent coldl Is your
grandmother free from the neuralgia these
damp days7 How is your fathers healthq Is
he still very halel Your mother Is able 20 be
about at present. is 3hel How long has she
been able to be out of doorsl Does your wife
continue to as well as everl Have her slight
headaches passed away9 What is your health
this mornsne7 Are your sons all enjoying the
blessings of strong phykique2 How are your
daughters bearing the burdens of their new
from the mumpsl Is your dear little grand
daughter in any danger of having her beautiful
complexion ruined bv the chicken-pox2 After
these have been continued for a half-hour and
all answered, he may relieve his wearied knees
without fear of Infringing upon n law strlcter
than that of the Medes and Persians
There is one month In the year when this icy
reserve is broken through, and the Japanese
proverb, January month goes swifter than the
arrow indicates with what pleasnrable
thoughts it is regarded Then the children all
play together. and the older children have
r ems, and whatever Japanese ingenuity has de-
vised to take the place of the church social and
the Suuday-school picnic Altar it has passed
ali is quiet In the streets Puritan Sabbath.
until another January month brings its
merry days, aud for eleven, or according TO JAP
anese reckoning, twelve weary months the ris-
ing generation must be content to pass each
1t is matter for scandal if he speREs the
street 10 one OF the opposite sex.