New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-01
THREE PROGRESSIVE JAPANESE.
First Girls of Their Race To Be Educated in
This Country

To Count Mort Japan is largely indebted for the
organization OF her new school system. While at
the head Of the japanese Legation in Washington
the count persuaded his government to send girls,
well as boys. to America to study and fit them
selves to play part in the Japan Of the future.
Public attention in Japan was then being called
to the Importance of the education Of girls and
the necessity Of freeing them from the backward
condition in which they had been held. Acting on
Minister Morris advice and persistent eudeavOr,
Ave girls of the Samurai class We're sent over in
1872 and arrived in San Francisco with the Japan
Embassy under the charge of Charles (. pc
Long. Minister Resident to Japan. Before setting
out their Journey they We're given audience by
the Empress Haru Ko, who has done much TO
advance the life of Japanese women.
In a most kindly way the gracious Empress babe
the girls remember the responsibility devolving en-
them, and urged them to spare effort tit
themselves to be leaders and examples for their
countrywomen. Their education to be borne
by the government and they must ever keep in
mind the gratitude they owed for the unprece-
dented advantages given them.
Minister De Long native Of Nevada, with
charming but ambitious Wife t pleased her
well to be the chaperon Of the first japanese girls
of gentle birth who had ever visited America. She
was anxious that every one should see and know
them. but her young charges could not stand the
unwonted excitement and society to which they
were introduced. Late hours proved too great a
strain on their naturally delicate constitutions.
and two Of the young girls obliged to return
to Japan broken down in health and with eye
sight much impaired. The youngest OF the remain
ing three Une Tsuda, became a member OF the
family Of Charles Lanman. of Georgetown, d. c.
artist author. long private secretary Of Daniel
Webster, and that time secretary Of the Japan
csc Legation Stematz Yamakawa placed in
the family Of DR.. Leonard Bacon. Of NewHaven
whose daughter Alice wrote japanese Girls and
Women" largely aided by Ume Tsuda-
Shige Nagai was also sent to New-Haven as an
inmate of the family OF John S. c. Abbott. the
historian. Each OF the three girls was placed at
school and vacations were spent visiting the most
interesting parts Of the country. 1t is difficult to
separate shige Nagal-Mme. Uriu-from her two
friends as their careers necessarily blend. After
thorough preparatory studies. Miss Nagai entered
Vassar College in 1873 as a pupil of music on ac-
matz Yamakawa, as regular academic pupil.
students were greatly attached to them and show
cred fayors upon them, but their heads were not
Al a vassar class day, when a number Of An, An
love at FIRST sight. The marriage determined
turned home one Of the FESTIVITIES attendant upon
/ the marriage AT Toxic was the amateur presenta-
! chant Of Venice" After her marriage Nine Uriu
! became teacher IN the Woman's High Normal
/ only competitive examination. This school,
] under her special patronage. was the first school
Tor me hgher eaue9 b 81 women Ia JaPan men
! religious influence was TO be exerted over them.
! Church. and Miss Yamakawa and Miss Nagai OF
! the Congregational denomination.
/ Nine Uriu's English was pure as to shame
many an American girl. and she adapted herself
to American life and customs as one TO the manner
/ try. she was charming girl and delighted
musician end a conscientious and thorough teacher
As my uncle was secretary Of the japanese Lega-
/ given a letter of introduction TO my father and
TyrjI fha1 very modest AnnsnoIts ra5et I'M ~ ~
/ was one Of a party Of six japanese invited TO a