New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-28
THE JAPANESE WOMAN.
DR.. Igenaga COrrectS Some impress
siOns as to Her Traits.

"A Japanese lady IN Occidental dress presents a
perfectly appalling sight. The clothes which suit
the Western woman so well 90 not suit her at al;
and she is so awkward and 81 al ease in them that
she is a spectacle 10 reduce you 70 laughter. X
not 10 tears"
Thus trenchantly did Professor Toyokich I'VE
maya sketch his Fair compatriots IN his lecture at
the Brooklyn Institute Thursday. Very natural
H." he continued. under these circumstances
japanese women are not anxious 20 adopt the
Western dress. You may pass month in Toxic
without seeing a japanese woman in Western
dress and you may 60 a year in the country with
out beholding this sight
"As for the men since Japan has become a
modern nation. dealing with other modern nations.
the members % her official class DO not care 70
be regarded as freaks or cUriosities The Official
class has therefore adopted Western dress, but
only for Office hours. IN his own home the Japan
ese gentleman invariably gets into the national
costume as quickly as possible; for the reason
that the national dress Is comfortable and health
ful and adapted 20 the national character and
habits.
For instance the adoption OF Western dress
would render impossible the habitual house man
Of Japan-an the 'souattins' knesling md re-
cining on the floor which are the customary meth
ods OF taking ones ease IN the house. II would
render impossible the sitting the floor to eat.
with the food little elevated tray IN front OF
each person. Il would necessitate the introduction
OF chairs tables and other things which the race
has always got along very comfortably without
The tight sleeves OF Western dress would DO away
with the national form OF salutation, by raising
the arm
NATIVE MANNERS AND CUSTOMS.
The impression seems to prevail that. because
OF her eager adoption OF some forms OF Western
civilization. Japan has become a land Of chimney
pot hats and stn collars. on the contrary you viii
not see che man in ten thousand in Western dress
IN the country aside from students. soldiers and
the police. The dress Of the japanese man IL not
much different from that OF the japanese woman
But when he is going 10 receive foreigners the
japanese gentleman dons correct Western evening
dress which with your pardon, is not very artistic;
with It's chnneypot hat. its swsllowtais Tapping
behind and its rght shoes. calculated 70 raise an
abundant crop Of corus and other products OF out
RACED nature.
..Japan has adopted very generally the outer
phases % western c3vilizatonits telegraphs tele-
phones and railroads But the inner life OF the
people remains in al Its important features much
ii has existed for ages. The native customs.
They have not died out and viii not 90 so FOR
centuries because they are the result Of very old
civilization worked out the most comfortable
and convenient to the race after centuries Of de-
Bsginnng win he bringing UP OF girls the let;
The same blessing, love ano care as the oaby koI
There Is now compulsory education for girls and
aide BY side
when the little japanese girl is home from
mother by carrying her baby brother or sister on
her back, singing him 70 sleep with her pretty
cradle song. Though the kid there seems 20 be
W'ldeawake' ssid he. suddenly glancing the
screen on which very lively infant discovered
gazing interestedly from his sisters back. The
learned professors sudden lapse into the vernacusr
'fSid'' caused ripple OF amusement
hen she is little older the girl Is taught how
q receive guests and how 70 make and drink tea.
This last Is q ceremony which would be perfectly
ridiculous 10 YOU, but Il Is part 81 formal ei-
ouette n which girls are instructed very carefully.
little later she Is taught Moral 2Trans ernent TIE
proper manner OF nCinE flowers IN vase" DIT.
lyenaFa took a long breath and plunged into this
portion q his subject con amore
Japan abounos IN magnificent nowers,' said he,
ard .he people love them SO much that they write
poems 10 them and the arrangement OF flowers
has become an actual study. without which no girls
education is complete. The japanese IDEA Of the
the Western i6ea as docs the conception OF art
BY flowers q japanese Includes beautiful leaves
ana stems well blossoms. The blossom is
only one detail. instead q being the whole as IN
rsngement of flowers means placing them as nature
would DO lie separates single blossoms from
their environment and masses them together. one
o. your 50 bouquets from your florists vast MAS
OF roses crushed together and wrapped In tissue
paper. is q monstrosity 70 q japanese
ARTISTIC LOVE OF FLOWERS
Nothing gives me more pain said the speaker
with energy than to sec an American LADY IN her
beauty and grace. deck herself with a great bunch
81 blossoms cruelty rnEssec without the slightest
regard Natural arrangement OF environment To
the japanese eve q IS a harbsrous habit Utterly
lsck.ng IN artistic taste"
And he threw o. the screen a bit OF Japaness in
ttrior- merely great vase. standing on the floor
and within. outlined against the wall IN dainty
-