The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-14
THE WOMEN OF JAPAN
THEIR SPHERE THAT OF OBEDI-
ESCE TO MEN OF THEIR FAMILIES.
Influence OF the Empress Has Inn
proved Their Condition-The
Charge OF immortality.

lands hut when a girl appears instead she
Is not unwelcome. She runs no risk of I'M
timely death as in parts of China. Society
recognizes her, both as convenience and
n necessity. and domestic affections are
singuIarly strong. So she is reared and
cherished, and takes up the tasks which
custom alIots TO her with the cheerful ac-
uuiescence that reflects an accomplishing
nature. AS a fodder, her back becomes
accustomed to a rag baby, TO be exchanged
for live one as soon as her strength will
permit. Her attitude toward her parents
is that Of unquestioning obedience; toward
her brothers that of Difference and care,
and when she marries her husband is her
lord and his parents her superiors; as
widow she must obey her eldest son. With
out essential variation this is the life laid
out for the girl or woman. 1t comprises
the whole of life to her. Aspiration beyond
Il Is rarely INDUCED. She accepts it. not
resignedIy, as If something other or better
might be reached IL she could have her
way but with smiling content; and with
ambition beyond her simple duty, quite I'M
conscious of sacrifice of SELF her years are
gentle and happy.
While these principles underlie the life
of woman. differences quite as wide else
where separate the rearing of those in COM
Portable circumstances and the poor. There
Is no rich class as such in Japan, money
gathering never having been a national
trait, and those whom modest fare and
shelter satisfy number millions. But in
families in which girls may escape drudg-
cry and apply themselves somewhat to the
cultivation of the graces, the guards of
seclusion, OF freedom from vulgar contact,
and of tender oversight protect them. The
daughter of a gentleman is destined to
fill an honored place in the social order, and
the care which la noblesse in France ex-
ercises over girlhood life is not greater than
that habitual here. For centuries the edu-
cation of girls of such families super
vised at home, through the offices of private
tutors, being confined mainly to a study of
social ceremony and accomplishments, with
only incidental attention to branches in
which boys were instructed. Etiquette, as
manifested in national habits of everyday
politeness, is part Of the education OF all
the people, both precept and example teach
ing II from babyhood In recent years
great changes have occurred, including the
establishment Of advanced schools for girls,
OF industrial schools of various institutions
for higher instruction, and of a university
for women. Although opportunity is thus
widening, and women may reach a broader
mental plane than before, there is no pres
ent prospect that the social and domestic
relations which they have heretofore sus-
tanned will be materially affected.
THE POLITE EDUCATION.
A woman in Japan within twenty years
was regarded as highly educated If she
could embroider, arrange flowers artistical-
ly, conduct the tea ceremony, perform on
one or more Japanese musical instruments
and compose verses. She had some instruc-
ton in the literature of Japan and in the
Chinese classics. In steps for her better
ment the Empress took the lead. Her first
reform abolished the practice of blackening
the teeth and shaving the eyebrows at mar
riage. She obtained for girls school in
struction on modern lines, whereby purely
ornamental studies have been supplemented
with useful ones and her efforts, avowedly
for the benefit OF women, yet continue.
Such good results had been obtained
through them several years ago as to win
both popular and official recognition. and
from the unnoticed place which she might
have occupied had she not lifted herself
higher than the rules of precedent, her per-
sonality is distinctly taken into account IN
plans within the official household, and her
at the palace.
1t may not be that in the lifetime Of the
Empress the status which woman has here
toiore had will be outwardly benefited that
the customs which bind her to life of
obedience and service will be modified. ard
probably the men will continue to hold
themselves vastly superior. Indications to
the contrary are merely superficial. Men
who ostentatiously give precedence to their
wives at of cial Or high social receptions,
at which the wOn.en appear in European
costume, have been noticed to drop that
courtesy when native dress is resumed and
to make conspicuous by contrast the con-
firmed practice of letting the woman tag
on as Il unescorted. But the training of
boys and girls by the same teachers in the
same studies in the common schools, and
the increasing chances afforded to girls to
keep pace with the boys in higher develop
ment will at least produce mothers able TO
give to public life and thought endow-
ment ricner than IL has yet enjoyed and so
contribute to the future their share OF the
eouipment for national progress.
The place to which woman is relagated
in japanese life has not excluded her from
tribute the most sincere, if much of ii is
posthumous. Japanese knighthood never
partook of the chivalry which embraced in
a halo the middle ages of Europe. Like
his descendant the ancestor regarded wom-
an as his servant rather than his COM
panion. Yet lack of open admiration and
love did not denote its absence. In the
fascination of her manner, in the neatness
alike in her person and in the adornment
and management of her household; in the
warmth of her affections and her domestic
loyalty; and in the care and training OF her
children, woman in Japan has shone with
the best, and she has not been unappre-
ciated.
LITERATURE AND ART
Literature has handed down no tales
better loved than those which embody the
tenderness of women, their charms are
sung in the brightest verses, and in the
exquisite art before which the world bows
woman has furnished chief inspiration OF
the sovereigns of Japan nine have been
women, ole of them, Jingu. the conqueror
OF Korea, having been deified Images of
Kwannon. Goddess OF Mercy, draw the
prayers of the people all over the land;
and the Sun Goddess. the chief deity of
Japan mythology. symbolized In the mirror
that occupies central place in every Shinto
temple. compels the worship of all follow
ers of that faith, including the imperial