The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1889-09-13
NO KISSING THERE.
An Easy Discovery Which the Japanese
Strangely Failed to Make.

An Easy Discovery Which the Japanese
Strangely Failed to Make.
Young girls are as nature made
them, and very sweet they are, too,
in their quaint dresses, showing the
plump chest and rounded arms. Pages
could be written about their charms.
What dear, dainty little dolls they arel
Such white teeth, rosy lips, and coy
smilesl Who shall describe themi and
what nexta A kiss, perhapsl Not
over here. Oh, neverl They never
do. They don't know how, actually
don't know how, and even peasant
girls are closely guarded.
Fancy young man in cotton kimo-
no and wooden clogs stealing a chance
to walk with his best girl under the
blooming cherry trees, explaining the
consultations and quoting sentimental
poetry; telling her that "he hung
upon her eyelids," that ''her voice was
like a temple gong;" in fact, that he
loved but her alone, and then making
her several formal bows at the door Of
her fathers straw thatched hut as they
parted in the moonlight. Can any
American lover stretch his imagina-
ton far enough to believe in sweet
heart not kissing those pretty lips,
paint and all, by sort of natural So
leetion9"
Tis melancholy fact, but q Japan
csc has no such impulse. No lover
courts his mistress with ''sweet per-
suasive kisses" No mother kisses her
baby as she cuddles 1t against her bo-
som. Parting husband presses the
hand Of his wife and bends his fore-
head TO the mats In sad farewell.
Our salutations run through the cre-
scendo Of bow, handshake, kiss and
kiss. can't explain the difference in
grade between the last two, but every
body knows. But in Japan the ex-
preston Of regard is regulated by the
number and length of the salaams.
A friend who constantly travels
about the country told me Of little
illustration in point. He had been on
the road for six weeks, having with
him a native merchant who was inter
ested in his business. On their return
10 Toxic he accompanied the broker
to his home, a permit for the nights
visit having been obtained from the
local inspector Of police.
Aho "AO lily ASi huouohN dIbN LID
friend at the door and ushered them
in. Together they assisted their guest
TO remove his coat. The wife next
took from her lord his wadded kimono
and other wraps and folded them
away.
Then, and not until then, did they
kneel upon the mats and bow long and
low to each other. "You have been
many weeks away from us, " said the
wife in a sweet, affectionate voice.
I'VE have waited for you with impa-
tience. hope that you are we'll, dear
Ianoskesan." And he thanked her and
said he was.
My friend had been curious to know
whether these formalities which no had
always witnessed between acquaint-
ances would be repeated between tho
devouted couple, who would not feel
restrained before an old friend.
! retold the story to select audi
ence, and added my opinion that the
missionaries might give the belated
Japs some pointers ON earthly bliss
when instruction on tho heavenly joys
Of another life had vacation. Why
not get up classes 70 teach the art Of
kissing, with some good old gray
headed elders as instructorsi That
would be quito harmless and proper.
The girls could learn if they began
quite small.-Tokio Cor. San Francis
co Chronicle.