New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-04-08
A JAPANESE REVOLUTION.
MADE AT A SILVER WEDDING
ROYAL FESTIVITIES MARKED BY THE
SOCIAL EMANCIPATION OF WOMAN.

Toxic. Japan, Mdrcn 10
Friday March O. 1894, was a day to be iong
remembered in Japan as one dedicated 10 the
enunciation OF a great social principle, never be-
fore proclaimed under such circumstances OF au-
thority, and never seriously recognized by the
people. In most monarchies the celebration OF
royal "silver wedding would have no Striking
Significance and would appeal only 10 pleasant
and possibly affectionate sentiment of loyalty
and goodwill It certainly could not be asso-
ciated with ideas OF moral progress, or win
any purpose Of teaching q Wholesome lesson 20
the entire community Here however. 1t was
designed to indicate the sovereigns desire that
the usages which have hitherto regulated the
domestic life of Japan should be 50 far amended
as 10 establish a nearer approach 10 equality II
not an actual and thorough equality, between
his male and female subjects. The twenty-fifth
anniversary of the imperial marriage afforded
happy opportunity for this declaration, and Tor
ACCOMMODATING II with forms which could not
be misapprehended In ordinary national fest-
walls the Emperor stands alone as the central
figure. and the observances prescribed. whatever
they may be. are exclusively to his homage. In
this instance the honors were not merely shared
by the Empress but il was felt that they were
in greater and worthier part addressed 10 her
Only twice before had she appeared with the
sovereign in any public function, and these were
occasions in which her presence necessarily
subordinate to that Of the ruler of the nation
They had such direct and unequivocal mean
ing the jubilee in which the people have just
now been called upon to unite. The ceremonious
and elaborate commemoration Of the marriage
day-a commemoration the like Of which had
never been witnessed or expected in japan
could be interpreted in but one way The En-
peror had resolved to show that the place of his
wife was beside him. and on his own level; not be-
meath him. nor at distance, in the subservent
attitude which custom assigns to the women Of
this country In every aspect the innovation
was commendable and of excellent promise.
Its results may may not be Immediately APP
parent, but blow has been struck by the high
est power in the land against an abuse and evil
which could no longer be made consistent with
the pretensons to civilization which the empire
is constantly striving to vlndcate
Traditions die hard. especially those based upon
selfish egotism and arrogant assumptions of
masterful superiority. For years after the Jap
anese had announced their determination to put
themselves on the same grade that OF the
foremost Western nations all references to the
errors of their social system. and all remon-
strances against the degradations to which their
women are liable. received at the best with
mockery. and often with Impatient irritation.
upon the leaders of the State that the claim TO
enlightenment will never be admitted while the
heads OF families continue to administer their
households in accordance with Oriental custom.
1t is doubtless true that the women suffer less
hardship and indignity here than in other Eastern
countries. and that their bondage is often rather
theoretical than oppressvely practical. But they
are nevertheless. rule, the chattels and not
the cherished and trusted companions OF the
physically stronger sex. That they were entitled
to be otherwise regarded was a proposition which
at first excited derision. The japanese, keen
witted enough in detecting the weak spots In
adversary's armor. amused themselves by sug-
costing that moral reproaches came with bad
grace from members of a community OF strangers
the majority OF whom were addicted to fragrant
departures from recttude; and that their accusers
would do well to purify themselves before ar
raigning the people whose habits they initiated
even to excess 1t not convenient for for
eigners to meet this strain Of argument, for the
assertion that indulgence in vice on side does
not Justify vice on the other involved disagree
able confession and the fact was indsputabe
that. setting aside the missionaries whose lives
are In this respect blameless the alien residents
taken as a whole. were not in position to act
the role of censors. The natives were quite safe
sn defying their monitors to prove that their
of the temporary jewellers in Japan. Elated by
the success of their poor "tu quogue" retort they
continued to be satisfied with their methods Of
household control and discipline, until the ex-
perience of students and travellers who had
visited America and Europe gradually led to a
diffusion of ideas. Then, although there
were still but few attempts to rectfy the wrong
Of centuries, disposition toward conceament
began to manifest itself An uneasy Of
humiliation visible or the part of all who
were challenged TO discuss the subject and de-
malls OF patent facts were frequently heard in
stead Of the former unqualified Qualifications
When Mr.. Tamu-a's little volume "The japanese
Bride" originally published in New-York. was
translated and reprinted here, ludicrously vio-
lent storm OF objurgatlon burst forth The author
was denounced unpatriotic. a renegade foe
TO his country's fame and reckless perverter
of the truth. SO furious was the excitement that
the Government actually prohibited the sale Of
the book. on the alleged ground that it was sub
versve Of morality. 1t really plea on be-
half Of morality, and did not contain a single
statement that could not be promptly substan-
tiated. Its revelations might have gone much
further without oversteppng the limits Of strict
accuracy. Mr.. Tamura's intention was plainly
to present a simple portrayal OF the existing state
of things. without the slightest thought OF cast
ing reprobatior upon his ow-citizens BIZ the
sting Of the exposure was too sharp to be en-
dured. To this extent, at least instinct Of
shame had conquered the stod self-content OF
earlier years.
The first endeavors to improve the situation
were not we'll conceived discreetly carried
out. Instead Of proceeding by moral suason."
and working through the minds OF their country
men. the political leaders in Toxic fancied that
regeneration on a broad scale could be
complished by such expedients as gathering both
sexes together In halls and dinner-parties, de-
creeing that foreign dresses should be b.
all who were invited. and by making dances the
prominent feature OF every fashionable enter