Asheville daily citizen., 1894-09-25
JAPAN AND JAPS.

Rev. MIR. GrInnan's Interesting Talk
ON This subject.
Key. X. Bryan Grinnan, who for nine
years has been missionary to Japan,
and who addressed the congregation at
the First Presbyterian church Sunday
morning, gave yesterday afternoon at
the Presbyterian church very interest
ing tax on the Japanese, their customs,
manners, beliefs, etc, and in an inter-
view with THE CITIZEN gives some cur
ious facts about these remarkable people,
who have been called The Frenchmen Of
the East"
1t will probably be matter of sur
prise even to the best informed to know
that Japan, consisting OF 1000 islands,
is 1000 miles ir length which means
that 1t extends between the latitude OF
Newfoundland and Cuba The four
main islands have the latitude OF Maine
and Florida. Not withstanding this great
length, the area of Japan is equal only to
the combined area of New Jersey, Mary
land, Virginia, North and South Caro-.
lima. With population of Al, 100000
this means very thick population. The
common report that the Japanese are
very progressive is true, in this contrast
ing strongly with the Chinese, over
whom Mr.. Grinnan believes the Japanese
will be victorious in the present war.
The charge of superfciality is true to a
certain extent, but there are very many
who are not superficial. In politeness.
Mr.. Grinnan thinks the Japanese can
teach even the Frenchman, and so great
is their admiration for Americans that
our national vanity should be tickled.
In one instance when Mr.. Grinnan was
travelling on railroad, an old native
gentleman, asked him his nationality
and on being told that he was an Ameri-
can the old gentleman arose and took
off his hat with the remark that he al
WAYS took off his hat to Americans. The
United States government has always
been most friendly to Japan in the vari-
Gus treaties. and this is the cause OF their
admiration. The country is one of won.
drous beauty, the people are of a bright,
happy disposition, and the children are
treated with tenderness and care that
many so-called civilized people might
well initiate.
Cupid has very little work to do in
Japan. At least he is not allowed
much swav by the older people,
matches being made by the
parents regardless of the whims or
wishes Of the younger generation,
Divorce is easy. One OF the seven grounds
of divorce Is the talking of the wife. Il
she talks too much the husband can get
divorce. II the wife is not pleasing to
her motber-in law divorce may be got
ten by the husband. While the woman
is not treated as a slave, as in China
and has some privileges, she is not the
queen Of all she surveys, as in America
In walking the wife takes her plac,
behind the husband, and this is dom
even in marriage ceremonies, when th'
couple goes to and from the altar. Will,
the Japs do not chew tobacco they ar,
great smokers OF cigarettes. The Allei
and Ginter, and other posters and pic
lures can be seen, as in America
in the barber shops and elsewhere
The present Emperor il the 123rd il
line, tie japanese giving him high an
cestry, claiming that he is descended
from the gods. There are about eigh
million gods, according to the Japanes
belief. The central thought Of Iapanes
religion is obedience" and this run
through their entire system Of govern
ment, extending through the family, tn
Youngest child being obedient to tn
next older.