The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1895-11-29
Ghelemnrraf- STA,
A JAP C%OURTSuIp


The social laws Japan ,so,,.
That a man shall marry at The aas a''e
IS or 49, and It is a disgrace for , OF
or woman to remain single after , I"l
are 20 or Fl. AS a consequence lucy
are very few old bachelors Or r" es
maids. od
hat young mar usually has a, =,
portunlty to inspect the girl th,,
selected by his parents or his nar's
before an engagement is decided uroa
and II either is dissatisfied w,,h w.
appearance of the other the arra,a "s
ments may be declared of. The mas.
ing is called a ''mi-yal,' which ,i,s'
ally means mutual seeing.n ~
According to etiquette, the int.
view may take place at the resldona.
OF the nakodos or at the house ., IVY
young lady's father but amona ,"'
lower classes a picnic or A ,hs ,"e
party, a boat ride, or an cxcursioae
some sort serves the purpose. If w.
visit takes place at the house If W, ne
lady's father, the young man and hs
nakodo nre received by the host ana
salute each other with great noI iha
ness A servant brings a pot Of IT,,
and materials for smoking, over wbis%
inc three gentlemen discuss politics
business matters, the condition NJ ,La
rice market, the news from Cnh, " ~
any other indifferent subjects ~.
awhile. 'f
Then the host will clan his hand,
and the young lady in interest horso,,
appears, dressed in her prettjest him.
mo and obi and bearing a tray con.
tanning three cups and a not Of to,
These she places upon the mat in
'front.' OF the guests and proceeds IN
serve the beverage and swcctme,,s
winch her mother or servant brings
r.. tlIEN
after her. Girls are trained to mar.
form this duty with the greatest do.
gree OF grace, for tea pouring is 70.
garded as the highest accomplishment
il japanese woman can acquire, and
TINS occasion Is naturally of the great.
est Importance.
she is not to speak unless she IL
spoken to, and the responsibility of
beginning conversation with her
rests upon the nakodo. II he is a
gentlemen OF Il tact he introduces
some subject or asks some question
that Is calculated to bring out what.
ever conversational powers the young
lady may possess, and ia meantime
she sits upon her heels and cndeayors
to be as charming as possible. Tho
young man may engage in the CONVEX.
satlon, but 1t Is. not good form for
him to address BIS remarks to her.
lie may speak To her father or her
mother, but he usually remains en-.
tirely silent during the ordeal. II the
"mi-yal" happens to be excursion or a
thcater party the same rule is OBJ.
served. He may look as much as he
likes, but it is bad manners for him to
show the young lady any particular
attention.
After the mi-yal Is over the young
man and his nakado retire for consul.
tation. He thinks the matter over,
and II he decides that the candidate
is acceptable his parents send her a
handsome box of gifts.
Sometimes it contains silk and
other fabrics, ornaments or jewelry.
decorative works of art, and among
the common people, lsll, seaweed, and
other forms Of foot. Then the brides
parents send presents in return, which
is equivalent to an engagement, and
an early day is selected for the wed.
ding. If the young lady should hap.
pen to object, which Is not often the
case, rs she is guided entirely by the
wishes OF her parents in this and all
others matters, the nakodo is notified
before an opportunity to send presents
is given.
When the day for the wedding ia
selected, the trOusseau Ut the bride
and several articlesO Of household furn-
iture r sent to her husbands home,
and they are usually exhibited to the
friends of the family beforehand.
The wedding gown is always pure
white, and the bridegroom is dressed
in a "kamishimo"-a peculiar dress
made Of various kinds of silk in colors
according to his rank.