Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1904-03-08
JAPAN. LAND OF THE CHRYSANTHEMUM

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her inferiority consists neither in in.
tcllectual nor moral worth.
Eaotistic Patriotism.
Her people have their faults. One
OF the most serious Of these lies in the
fact, at first glance apparently a merit
that they believe themselves to be
Just about the most wonderful folks
in the world. and that nothing is i'm.
possible of accomplishment when at.
tempted by japanese. Unfortunately
this sentiment, an inspiring one un-
der some conditions has bred
throughout the empire a large class OF
young men who are vain as peacocks
OF the progress that has been made up
TO the present time and who are only
held in check by wiser heads, who
know what swashbuckling methods
are likely to lead to II made part Of
the national program.
What added responsibilities this
sentiment may be materially toned
down. The Emperor and his minis
ters are bending all their efforts to
keep IL from making headway, and II
is safe to say that every pronuncia-
manto Of the Japanese Government
with regard to the present conflict
will be marked by studied conserya-
tism, and, no matter what the out
come may be. by an entiro absence
Of a boastful or vainglorious word
Happy and United.
The Japan OF today is happier and
united empire OF 100000 people a
land of wonderful charm, Of sweet
faced women and dapper little men
Of beautiful customs and traditions, a
land above all OF fast growing liberty
OF thought and high endeavor. Her
farms, like her farmers are tiny and
Picturesque; her passionate love Of
color, followed through the ages with
steady devotion, and her equally
passionate worship OF cleanliness and
order have driven everything ugly
and lnharmonious from her shores
Children and Education.
Japan Of today Is progressive
enough to provide equally for the boys
and the girls in the school system.
This came about through the influence
OF the various missionary schools,
and. finally the government offered
girls a broader education than the
old instruction in Chinese, etiquette
and the accomplishments
Now the streets In the cities and
villages are alive every morning with
little boys and girls clattering along
on their wooden clogs, with their
books and lunch baskets In thelrhands
TO the kindergarten, primary, gram
mar and high schools. Music IN Ja-
pan Is an accomplishment reserved
almost entirely for women, blind men
and priests, so the boys are not
troubled with the necessity Of study
Ing IL. and Il seems TO a traveller very
fortunate that the art is not more
generally practioed, as the music is,
as a rule. far from agreeable.
Before the year 1871 education of
the young in Japan was for the mass
OF the people. a matter OF private ef.
fort The children were then. to a
great extent. taught in the teachers
homes. When a father took his
child for the first time 70 such
house, he took with him a barrel OF
sake (rice spiriD and couple OF
fishes which were presented 10 the
teacher and large box Of kowane-
shl, a compound OF rice and beans,
for distribution among the pupils
Each child had 10 provide q small
table and writing materials Black.
boards. states and pencils were not
yet known. and writing was dono.as
Il is even today with a little brush
or hairponcil called fudc The
cake OF ink. which Il is necessary to
rub on an ink stone with a little water
Is made OF lampblack or scot secur.
ed from burning pine branches
kneaded with glue and water and
then pressed into a mould and dried