The Washington times., 1904-10-12

Many and grievous were the restric-
lions IN 0Ideu times laid upon Japan
csc girl OF the middle or upper class
Her husband practically chosen for her.
she entered upon her new life without
any OF the illusions of a love match
She was determined 90 be faithful and
submissive TO bring up her children
wei. and 10 serve her lord truly an the
days of her life. waiting ou him at ta-
Bile, attentive TO his slightest behesJ-
Very constant seclusion was her duty
says the Guardian and, If necessary
business called her outside her home.
she must not 60 unattended, and never
on foot.
To visitors she was "a mere shadow,
appearing possibly with gracious ser
vice now and again. never speaking. nor
spoken TO, nor spoken OF. Friends Of
her own sex she SAW sometimes on for
mai occasionsi bus of any Spontaneous
individual life she knew next 10 moth
ing. Even with her children she must
preserve her dignity, her aIoofuess, her
impressive self-couUrol. no caress. no
demonstration Of affection was permits
sible.
In the Lower Class.
In the poorer strata of society matters
were perforce different; the woman
shared as she does today, The toll of the
man. even il its hardest and toughest
shapes. She carries brushWuud over
the mountains, gathers seaweed Ou the
seash0re works in the rice fields. even
acts as coolie 10 the foreigner. and with
all this does the household duties also.
Bent and worn and WriukLld before her
time. with shaver head ana shortened
sleeves. her back doubled by many bur-
deus. the japanese woman Of the lowest
class IS "a pathetic figure, uuloveiy iu her
old age. and without hope for the future.
Living as I did for many months with
"a japanese family turFe were frequent
opportunities Of ui5eusails matters ll-
tails that are uupercelFed hy the casual
traveller OF even the RESIDENT foreigner
AlF hostess was "a charming type OF
japanese ciFl-iztIl-h ~ rs pest re
longing no one OF the oldest and richest
families W the empire, she emp 5--el az
that rs most admirable lu us me- while
set ready and eager 10 adopt all THAT Is
good lu ours Soft voiced. gentle and
dieuiEed her th8uElLtlluess and hos
pitlllLy surpassed amy have met with
elsewhere while her courtesy was per-
feet
Exquisite Taste IN Dress.
Ehe dressed always ln the most ez-
guisitaly tinted gowns OF native FASH
son, soft srays and blues and hello
tropes. with inner Eim0uo of white,
single Jewel al her Eirdle clasp. Yet
she wisely adopted foreign dress Tor
her boys and The youngest girl. reserve
ing the gorgeous klmouo 0f softest silks
Tor the elder one. who is the ideal of
Japanese maiden. with the added cul-
tlre Of European training. She is %
come 70 England some day when "she
Us quite japanese perfect in heart" her
mother said 10 me- -BuL she must
marry before she IS twenty-five this is
inc custom OF our house, This Blrl
might not sleep under any roof but
theirs unless her mother was with Ler.
or even spend an evening alone away
from home.
Tbe house and its Furnishings showed
ffI-aI discrimination. Partly foreign
U.lrtIv Eauauese. lL combined Cur Gem
forts WlrE their artistic sense their
neatuess ana -1mpactness and opel-alI
beauty With our useleule Ideas, ia l1ol
The afr. q eeEueuts Heru similar r.
ever Is best lu both was --9seus and
me result was admirable. and your
Eugiish mistresse5. they look after ala
4hfre-94 u1v hostess querle4 one day
u do so ourselves uHt e5E
ant ana then another and
SO i cannot nnQ whom 10
j could go direct as you
the multIp ilcltF OF ser-
e shifting Ol responsibility
q japanese mistress iiLe