The record-union., 1899-06-21
The True Japanese Woman.

The fair sex in Japan are the most
simple, and at the same time the most
complicated creatures imaginable. In
their general ideas and knowledge of
the world they are like children-de
lightful children, tCo-and, in their love
of enjoyment and simple pleasures they
retain their youthful simplicity all their
lives. But, on the other hand, it Is al
most impossible for foreigner really
to understand their natures. Up to a
certain point a japanese lady is ap-
parently friendly, as she greets one on
meeting with that easy grace and
courtesy which is one of their peculiar
charms. There seems to be a wall Of
reserve beyond which it is impossible
to penetrate. I have vainly attempted
to fathom the cause of this barrier, but
without success; and I find 1t is the
general experience of those who like
myself. have lived among the japanese
and know them well.
Perhaps the natural antipathy which
has so long existed between the Eastern
and Western races may somewhat ac-
count for this want Of intimacy, and
also, I fear, We Europeans have often
wounded the delicate susceptibilities of
OuA 6dStSIu COuSiliS ny OuI WdIl u
tact and our tendency to treat their
manners and customs with ridicule, if
not contempt.
I am speaking more particularly of
the ladies Of the upper classes. The
little "musmee," generally considered
by the ordinary globe-trotter to be the
recognized type of a Japanese woman,
is no more so than is the "grisette' the
typical Frenchwoman or the English
ballet girl the typical Englishwoman.
Nowhere, perhaps, in the world does
one find a more ideal lady than
among the wives and daughters of flair
Japcmca." A Japanese lady reminds
me of a, delicate sea a-anemone which, at
the first approach of a, rough hand,
shrinks into itself, avoiding contact
with with the practical hardness of
everyday life. She is almost morbidly
sensitive, but her natural pride and
politeness forbid her in any way to re-
taiiate. How little we understand her
feelings! A japanese never forgets.
Sometimes revenge is impossible, but
have heard Of more than one case when
a foreigners official position has been
lost owing to his wifes indiscretion,
though he, and his wife also, may be
entirely ignorant of the cause of his
dismissal. In appearance a Japanese
woman is smaller and of sLdghter build
than an European. Many are distinct
ly pretty when young, but they age very
quickly, and with their youth every ves-
tige of good looks departs. Their COM
plexions are very sallow, but their faces
are generally thickly painted and pow
dered, hard line around the neck
showing the point where art stops and
nature begins.
Beauty, from Japanese standpoint
consists in a long, oval face, regular
features. almond shaped eyes slopdpg
slightly upwards, high narrow fore
head, and abundance Of smooth, black
hair. Their movements are graceful
although the style of their dress pre-
vents them walking with ease; and
their feet and hands are delicately
formed, and their manners unquestion-
ably charming.
They take little or no exercise. and
one wonders sometimes how the little
ladies employ their time-there seems
so little to be done in Japanese house.
-Cornhill Magazine.