New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-14
JAPANESE GIRLS OF TODAY.
Present Era One of Social Struggle-A
Mother-in-Law.

Present day conditions % japanese girls particu-
larry with regard to education and social status.
are thus described by young japanese who has
been IN this country for the last two years:
We japanese girls OF the present age are the
happiest and the most unhappy girls born
in our country. We do call ourselves happy because
We are born In the most enlightened. civilized age
ever reached IN our history. and able 20 share
the glory OF rising sun (the national fag)
shining over the Orient. We happy because
we receive full and high education. never dreamed
Of by our predecessors. and have chance TO show
whatever ability or intellect We have IN way
another. Again. are happy because the men
OF Japan beginning 70 realize our true value
and ready to give appropriate position and
treatment 70
Then why are thu most unhappy ones? Be
IN spite OF ali these pleasant advantages our
condition Is like weak vessels struggling against
opposing currents. Ike young plants bending
under mighty winds. The vessels try proceed
but the ercess currents ever check their progress
the trees are eager % grow UP. but the strong
winds are ready 10 blow them down. The currents
opposed 10 us ths winds against US. are the old
ideas and the old customs. We. the sirls % TO-
oay. are constantly aud relentessly Blended. swayed
checked and oppressed by these clements. Who
has ever met such an age o. struggle
Looked az from the point OF enjoying peace and
couteEtment. the woman OF one hundred years ago
The goddess outside. the devil inside though
She was worm ia the eyes Of the government
uuobs-rved. though she was born to die in snail
Ike home. she Mas happy F"r then she DID not
taught natural ana proper she was Fa-isteC
with the position society gave. ~ue never aspired
never complained, but was cCnt1uJed ard At ease
We certainly DO not prefer such e condition 10
now lighting! 30 matter whether We are conscious
or ciOlS q the battle whether we Ike 10 or
not. each and every ono OF us g. obliged % take
part lI g. FOR instance. after sirtug nv" hours uu
chairs In the srhOoIroor1 We EO home a2d there We
have TO sit down ia perfect Stiffness AID calm, our
bodies straight and knees Blended. our fset ache
under the heavy weight and tLa position becomes
uuUeITaule. We suffer and show signs OF Uueasl-
ness. There is OIr grandmother watching. She,
WHO has sat an hex N', and known no ether way.
cHldes US laying What 10 you learn IN your
~cauplf Ig u the place 70 teach bad manners
We tTy tI carry ourselves erect and walk with toes
out our mother fI0wus and eutrea-s, You are
girls do not u- Ike boys. DO not move your hands
Walk more slowly and carefully We gain
prizes iu athleu. games and nv home Wild tO Tell
EroachtgI looks await us. When We speak clearly.
answer promptly and behave actively, then the
public complains Of the aar-huess OF our voices. %
the fJTWdTdueSs ~ our manners. " hen We us1
intellectual scientific words iu our speech. then
the people reproye us ASSUMING. linpeEtiueus
Girls. Ira short while we want u I've lie easy,
natural and unrestricted. they-t6@ old fashioned
Cues-try 10 make Us live o. they We're trained. IN
: quiet. narrow way. with few eujuymeuts. But
the parents are authorities. the voice o- the I.DN1
ton The only way We have % DO Is 81 wander
between the IDEAS ue@ and o.G. Ike weeds IN a
stream. going one way and tnVE the other. put
never reaching either side.
with IL whatever is entertaining and interesting %
IS Is sealed uu. Books 20 90 moths. tennis racket
Isl fsrSs ken. iu their place com. sewing and han
dlirE or cups and plates. And soon after follows
che age % 'wifr'-ths most trying time Tor gr.>--
the er. % strife stronger end srf-r=r then before