The Wichita daily eagle., 1904-05-29
WOMEN OF JAPAN
Miss Sidney CIapp's Gradual
ing Grafton.
INFLUENCE IN THE WAR
Pretty Tribute Paid to t h e
OrientaIS.

Miss Sydney Clapp, solutatorian of the
graduates Of the class of the city High
School, was unable to be present at the
commencement exercises last Wednes-
day night owing to sickness. Her ora
ton, 1.-The Woman of Japan was miss
ed from the program, and therefore the
Eagle publishes it in full. Following Is
Miss Clapp's grafton:
Japan is the golden sun Of the Orient.
Its radiance brilliantly illumines the
horizon Of our eastern world Toward
it turn the eyes of all nations. as nee
die to its pole. Interest, sympathy, and
attention are awakened by every strug-
gle for justice, but particularly so when
Japan is a contestant. The Japanese citi-
zen is progressive, ambitious. and looks
with favor on the customs of the west.
W hich he deems would be Of benefit to
his people.
Yet back of the man there stands an
even more powerful factor. powerful in
6eed, in a quiet, unassuming manner,
yet exerting it's noble influence on a
Direct influence it is not, yet the sweet
example of the Japanese woman has left
the imprint on the history of a great ma
ton.
A dainty lady is she of Japan. tiny in
stature graceful and charming. Her
delicate face is lighted by almond shaped
eyes, always black, shaded by long lashes
and brows slightly arched. Scarlet lips
lend a touch of color to her clear skin,
and the black hair, arranged in artistic
coils, ornamented with gold and silver
pins, complete an attractive, piquant face.
| An appropriate, pleasing costume is hers,
in accord with a gentle. yet gay dispose
ton. Her graceful flowing robe and huge
sash, all elaborately embroidered, give
her an unequaled quaintness. She is an
Oriental butterfly, in the midst of per-
petual flowers. cherry blossoms, lotus or
chrysanthemum.
She has frequently been awarded the
palm as possessing the most perfect char
acter of woman among the nations of
the earth. She is trained to absolute
obedience. She is simple and happy; she
is childlike and affectionste. polite and
optomistic Her religious devotion and
coilSldIcy are Wiueiy euioSiLcu iiic
resembles that of happy. irresponsi
bic child, delighting in the joys af-
forded by a bounteous nature, TO one and
all. but particularly to the beauty-loving
japanese.
The visitor to Japan will doubtless no.
tice the cheerfulness of the faces, the
polite bowling will raise the most hum
Bile travellers opinion of himself. Their
expression for good morning" is 'ohaio."
A famous judge from Covington. Ken,
travelling at one time in japan was ac-
costed by dainty maid. who laughing
ly called out to him, with all the can
dor of an innocent child, "Ohaio ohaio?'
The judge faltered. and finally explained,
We'll, not exactly, come from Coving-
ton, just across the river!
Their home life is ideal. II is in truth,
the only sphere of the Japanese woman.
Some indeed, have risen to the rank of
teachers in their native schools, and a
very few have proved themselves efficient
writer's; but her attention is centered on
her home a happy. cheerful abode for
husband and children. home whose
beauty is enhanced by the willing per-
formance of recognized duty, to rear
Iicf CHlluItn 10 lON0 VI COuHlIy anu W I
able citizenship.
The woman of japan has progressed In |
a marked degree within late years. While |
her position is far from that which the |
woman of the western world now proudly |
occupies, ii is equally as far removed |
from the degradation which has been |
hers in the past and which still is, that |
of the Chinese woman.
Women of America and Europe, far |
more educated and socially advanced as /
they are, look with a feeling akin TO |
envy on the peace. the restfulness and the /
calm contentment of the life of their |
Japanese sister Such is the impression |
she leaves upon US, such her character. |
and her irresponsible happy life. VIII |
she have an influence on the present /
crisis? Who can say she will not? The
world may look on with aniazement at |
the courage of n fghing race, IL may
stand aghast at the cruelties of bloody l
war. but above all. its heart must be
filed with a tender respect and a grow
ing admiration for the mothers of a
mighty natiop-the women of Japan