Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-28
john IF. DonoG1oe Sons.
'Phone East 81. 3O8 East Capitol Street

IN this national tragedy is the wife and
mother. II 1t were possible to conceal every
nope OF the soul and feeling of the heart
by artificial gesture, then the Japanese
woman couldsdo it. But as ii is not one
soon learns the motives that underlfe the
substftutions and from these instinctively
Ieeis what the natural expression would be-
Even foreigner soon decides the worth
OF even japanese SMILE and every baby
knows just how little his IA Tiers frown
implies. l wonder if the japanese them
selves do. not take considerable plea sure
In understanding each other IN this round
about way. But this self-suppre sss;on is not
the lovely spontaneity it seems; it is often
dolorous duty and the effect of ages of
severe schooling. 1t is certainly contrary
TO nature, yet it is as beautiful as it is
possible for art to be.
The children of japanese homes are weir
pred. A foreigner never fails to notice it,
AS rule they are obedient and deferential
to their elders, sweet and obligfng among
their equals, and patient u a de gree that
is philosophical, yet no more genuine chill
dren are anywhere to be found. No child
is without its responsibilities, and in most
cases these are strapped to its back and
1t hears them cheerfully. There is a beau
t1ful spirit of heipfulness between brothers
and sisters
Affection of Children.
think the children have more real affec-
ton for one another than they do for their
parents. for whom their respect is I'M
bounded. Although the japanese take great
pride in their babies and their growing sons
and daughters. they strenuously endeavor
not to reveal it, and if you had naught but
their word for it you would think they Were
quite harrassed and disguised with their
offspring.
81 suppose" said a friend. before / left
for Japan. you will have to refer to your
baby as my dirty, Insignificant and trou-
blescme little son. "
Still, after all, no one can withstand the
Establishments of an infant and many a
japanese mother have 1 entrapped into
her small children.
The mother does not often give them all
the attention which mothers should She
Is ever at the beck and call of the head OF
the family to the exclusion of all other re-
quests. At such times II the babies pro-
test they are stuffed with sweets or turned
over to the servants, and such times are
nearly all the time. The servants are not
refined, but they are kindhearted women.
and they are closer members of the house
hold than our servants are or would like
to be. and for that reason they mother
the children and naturally get the creator
half of their love-
Much of the discipline Of the family ts
turned over to the elder brother. 1t is sum-
mary and sound. Occasionally the father
devotes himself to the children on a picnic
or walk in the evening, telling them sto-
ries or playing games. but never under any
circumstances will he lay aside his pipe and
IIiS oNSu ~ CfdWl dDOut on MS ma ndS ana
knees in the similitude of lion. '.Ototsan''
is always imperturbable. Mothers and faith
ers often speak admringly and wistfully Of
the care and love that are bestowed upon
the children OF the west, and 1t may come
to pass some day that their own will figure
more as human opportunities than as issues
and heirs.
japanese away from home is the most
homesick thing in the world. What is II ne
longs to get back to? His own family? HIS
friends! No; these are too easily put on
and on II ds Japan itself All Japan is
home to him. and no wonder Never did
any nationality dn any age become more
amalgamated. Its racial instincts exactly
correspond to family pride and family at
lection Its former exclusiveness bred these
in the bone Besides, it's blood relationships
are SO closely interviewer that It u.s. in
reality, one huge household and family