St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-08-12

fausHu 10 ultSSSUI aHu superintendent
Of h99sP2 sSfylsS kn Mrs. , Dr. ,l Lsnnis
1901 and f6Spitai surgery. qhs gre
which me 6tricers of tie hospiIai e&.
pended on ny training will entail my
gratitude while l live, and the associa-
tons formed there, among which is that
of my friend Miss Pierce, will remain
with me as an inspiration forever. In
few DAYS | shall go to New York,
where | will take the post graduate
course in the Cancer hospital of that
city. Next spring l shall return to my
home in Japan"
"Will you please say, Miss Sakaki.
what use your purpose making of the
knowledge so acQuired?"
Yes; while circumstances necessi-
tate my return home earlier than / want
to go, shall couple my present knowl-
edge with that of medicine, to be
learned in America later. and shall
thenceforward devote myself to their
practice i'll my native country"
xviii you please say something of
your schools and religion: D"
You will remember that my native
city, Toxic. embraces population of
more than 100000. and that the rapid
changes being made in Japan render
accuracy in detail. after an absence of
two years, impossible; but. speaking of
things as they were when | left home
land | doubt if very much change can
have taken place since in these particu-
lars), my city contains
Six Colleges,
which are supported by the govern
ment. Much has been done in the edu-
catlonal field through the impetus
pivpn and aroused Inv thu
Sonal appeal of the emperor in 1872 ask
ing that: Education shall be so diff
fused that there may not be village
with an ignorant family, nor a family
with an ignorant member" Elemen-
try education has always been fairly
dltfuSed among the Japanese, and even
IN the lower classes the man or woman
who cannot re ad aud write is a rarity.
We use the Chinese hieroglyphics in
our schools, as well as the forty nire
characters of more recent invention
there is, however, no similarity between
the spoken languages of China and
Japan.
Our educational system embraces the
kindergarten, elementary schools, mid
die schools, special schools and uni
yersity. Children from three to six
years Of age are placed in the kinder
garten, Of which there are about $50 in
the country. Education is compulsory.
The most of the schools are supported
by a tax upon the people; The govern
ors of cities and departments supervise
the schools, while all are subordinate
to the department of education. In the
study Of languages English is first,
then French. then German. From six
to fourteen years of age children are
required to attend the elementary
schools. Attendance at the higher
schools is not compulsory. The burden
OF schools support is sometimes very
Severe on the People.
Two years ago the cost OF maintaining
Japan'S elementary schools was $751;
900 yep-or sum equivalent to Sc, 297,.
500. Nearly all school teachers are ma
lives. The missionary schools teach
English. Ii prohibited districts for
eigners can only procure toothold in
educational institutions when such are
conducted in the name and under the
auspices of natives. This rule and law
also apply 10 commercial and other in.
terests in those districts. There is a
special educational course Of four years
provided for the poor, free. Our people
are Siu1lOuS, matter-of-fact and prac.
teal. Violations of law are promptly
and surely punished. Criminals who
suicide receive after death the kindest
expressions of gratitude for relieving
the authorities of the necessity of APP
plying the penalties prescribed for their
otfenses. Regarding religion. You know
the Bible is printed in our language,
and Christianity has too firm hold
upon the intelligence and hearts of our
people ever to be removed. The Roman
Catholic religion pred0minates in ia
pan. Buddhism, while still practiced
ID certain districts, is SO nearly effete
hat the ultimate Cb ristianiZing of the
entire people is question of short
time. l am a Presbyterian. and am
much attached to my faith"
Intercepted as to the condition of
women in Japan, Miss Sakaki said:
Perhaps in no other direction is the
education of the masses of our people
marked so distinctly aud benefcially
as iii the emancipation Of our women.
Perfect freedom is accorded to women,
and their influence in all that is elevat-
ing is recognized in Japan with as much
readiness and generosity as your Amer
lean notions could wish" Here Miss
Pierce politely and reluctantly sug-
gested that her pretty little guest be
excused in the interest of some social
demand, and, with Il gracious courtesy
betting princess of the blood royal,
Miss Sakaki withdrew. From Judge
Pierce l learned that the father of Miss
Sakaki has long been a
Prominent Parilamentarian
in Toxic, and is now a retired govern
ment official of great wealth and prom
inence. His name is Kenkichi Ito, and
he is now about tifty-eight years of age.
(Can 1t he that he is the eX-minister of
education, Count Ito? l meant to learn
definitely OF this from the lady, but on
this topic l could plainly see the 'sno
thoroughfare" sign sticking out and did
not inQuire).
From the foregoing interview, which
is as nearly verbatim as it was possible
be seen that she is intelligent, progress
i've and we'll equipped Internationally.
She Informed me that the advantages
she possessed at home were not eXcep-
tlonal-that every woman in Japan had
an equal margin of limit in which 10
acquire knowledge. l had the temerity
20 ask Miss Sakaki her age; it was faux
pas from which may recover before
become president of this cou ntry! Wom-
en- are very much alike the world over.
l may, however, be permitted to sus.
pic.on that she is about twenty -one
years Of age. She is decidedly pretty,
speaks excellent English with a mOdu-
lation of voice which adds to the charm
of her conversation, her words and
tones falling most unsteady upon
the ear of the listener. Her hands
and feet are small and shape.
ly. her head exquisitely poised
upon her shoulders, which are SQUARE
and broad for her height, which latter
is about four feet and ten inches. She
is in excellent physical health. very
practical, possesses keen intuition anc
is imbued thoroughly with the spirit OF
investigation. She is intensely loyal tC
her native land, but en- rapport with the
United States and our institutions, thrift
and "push" of our citizens. She will
soon return to America to prosecute hel
studies, and will carry away with hel
the fOndeSt remembrances of her visit
to "Yankeedom," which she says will
always remain with her.
E. W. w.