The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1895-12-28
Japanese Social Life.


One OF the first lessons that Is taught Il
Japanese girl is that she is inferior to a
boy, and this early lesson is impressed
ceaselessly upon her during her life. The
boy calls his sister by her name, but she
must call him Ami San, (dear brother
being less familiar term than his name.
Quite commonly the brother eats with the
father, and after waiting on them she eats
with her mother. 1t is commonly under
stood that it is not the proper thing for
girl to play even with her brother after
she is ten years old, and thus wall sepa-
rates the sexes in the same family.
Courting is an unknown science in Japan.
The .'NakOdo, or go-between, is not only
Il matchmaker. but arranges all the pre-
liminary details to the hour Of marriage
\ father comes to the conclusion that 1t Is
time that his daughter should marry.
Without speaking with her on the subject,
he consults friend, and arrangements
are made to find suitable life partner for
her. Now the ''go-between' takes the
whole matter in hand, and as he expects
to be we'll paid for his trouble finally, he
becomes very busy person indeed. This
official with the consent of the fathers Of
the intended groom and bride, may arrange
for miyai (look -at each other meeting)
before the marriage, but frequently the
young people never see each other until
the moment Of marriage.
But after the union this important char
acter. whose services we have explained,
has not ceased his duties. IT, unfortu-
natelv. there should occur such an uncom-
mon thing as family quarrel. the go-be-
tween is called in and brings about final
settlement by putting them on good terms
or arranges for a permanent separation.
A MARRIED WOMAN $ DUTIES.
When a woman is married two solemn
duties Immediately are laid upon her. In
certain parts of Japan she must shave off
her eyebrows and blacken her teeth. By
these beautiful performances she brands
herself with the information, IL am mar
ried woman. Take care not to fall in love
with me- The arrangement Of the hair
also indicates whether woman is married
or unmarried 1t is the duty of the mother
to give parting instructions to her daugh-
ter as she enters into this slavery of mar
riage.
Thi. is done by impressing upon her the
following rules Of conduct: !. When you
marry you are legally my daughter no
longer, so give the same perfect obedience
to your father-in-law and mOther-in law
that you have given to your father and
mother ,. When you are married you
have no other lord than your husband. BE
humble, be polite Perfect obedience to
the husband is Il noble virtue for the wife.
B. Be kind always to your mother-in- law
and sister-in-law. /. Don't be jealous.
That is not the way to win your husband 5
affections s. Even where there is injus-
tice on the husband $ part do not be angry.
Be patient and when he is quiet, then
advise with him. g. Don't talk much
Don tell another person mischief. Don
in any case tell lie Z. Get up early,
stay up late at night and do not take NAP
| in the daytime Don't drink much wine,
and do not 90 into a crowd until you are
ffty-one years old. g. Do not ask for
tune teller what your future destiny
will be- Q. Be Il good housekeeper;
I be economical in everything. 10.
/ Though you are married Young, do not as
sociate with young men, even if they arc
relatives. H. Don't wear gay dress
! be clean always. II. DON be proud OF
your father prosperity or position; do moi
boast of them before your husband 5 rela
tives. 13 Be careful how you treat the
men servants or maid servants.
TIE WEDDING CEREMONY.
The bride vows that she will keep all O
these rules, and if she fails to do 50, she
has become false to her marriage VOWS
The wedding ceremony takes place in th'
home of the bridegroom, where the larges
room is decorated for the occasion. The
bride, in her long -sleeved and elaborated,
made furisode and the groom with hi
silk kamishimo. accompanied by Il smal
bridal party, take their seats i'll the brida
room \ table is placed in front of th'
bride, and upon it are three-s sized cup
filled with sake or japanese wine
The bride takes three sips from each
and at her invitation the groom does th
same.
This indicates that they will share eacl
others joys and sorrows, and after tn
announcement of the marriage by the go
between to the parents the ceremony
completed.
As a rule the completion of this form
the beginning of life for the poor littl
woman that has for her very few rays o
sunshine. She is the mistress rather thai
the queen of the home, and her chief car
is to look after the comfort and pleasure o
the man, who too often is cruel and over
bearing.
CAUSES FOR DIVORCE.
There are seven recognized causes fo
divorce in Japan l Disobedience. =. n
child. 3. Adultery. I. Jealousy. .
Loathsome disease. 6. Talking too much
I. Stealing. Indeed, the husband for tn
most trivial cause can secure separation
from his wife. No court is needed. Th
ever-ready ''go-between is told of hi
desires, and, with more speed than he ar
ranged the union, this all-important per
sonage brings about the disunion. TIL
first boy is often called ''Ichiro, meanin
s'frst one;" the next ''Niro, ''secon
one;' the third ''Saburo," and so on, ac
cording to numbers The girls are general
ly given fanciful names, such as Flower,
''Glory'' and the like, Iftheir lives wer
as bright and beautiful as their names, tn
Japanese home life would be charm in
stead of curse, as too often it is.
Clearing the Air.