The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1904-03-30
tBy onoto Watanna.)

NbN Onoto Matanna.)
Copyright, 1904, by the Newspaper Enter,
prise Association.)
The position of japanese women at this
time is one of extreme delicacy and hard.
ship. Like the women of all nations in
time of war, they ache at the thought
Of their limitations and comparative help.
lessness. Their hands are tied against
sharing in the work of fighting for their
beloved native land They must submit
60 custom Their place is at home.
In what way, then, can she, at home,
share somewhat of the great burden
There must be something for her to do
The greatest of all work entails self
sacrifice Japanese women deliberately
train their sons, not for their own plea
sure and eompanionship, but service to
their country. The male may abide but
a little while, He belongs to higher SER
vice than that Of the home service of his
country and of Tenshi.sama.
1t is with no feeling of shock that the
Japanese woman, at the outbreak of war,
gives up her best beloved. Nay, if he were
10th to 90, she would urge and entreat
his departure-spurn him with indignant
scorn Il he stayed.
The day Of the departure to the war.
the family celebrate the event. They
drink midzu (water) cups together. sym
bolic of the fact that they will never sec
each other again. They are peculiarly 0r-
entail IN this, since they viii not permit
hope to soften the parting hope Of the
possible return.
Better says the mother or wife chat
you do not come again. Better that YOU
houorably die upon the field of battle We
will indeed be blessed IL you are permit
ted TO die for Tenshisama."
The soldier permits the woman he loves
to help him garb himself for the war. TO
fasten his sword TO his side lie feels none
of that agony the Western soldier must
experience at the sight of his mothers
tears; none OF that feeling Of hesitancy or
doubt as to whether he Is taking the prop
er course There IS not the slightest
question in his mind that he is taking
the only honorable course. Always Ten.
shi-sama and Dai-Nippon come first.
The women keep back their tears. 1t
would be shame and q lasting disgrace
did they permit their beloved to leave
them with the memory OF their tears. On
the contrary. they part with loving almost
happy smiles. "Sayonara, sayonara." they
repeat tenderly. and that word means liz.
orally, II il must be resignation.
But when the soldier has gone from the
house, when he has marched away, when
the woman permits herself to realize what
has befallen her, at last she weeDs and
ptays Tears are Injuries she may indulge
In only after the warrior has gone.
The household continues unchanged
Even the meals are set as ever--not a
vacant place not one. For the japanese
women continue 20 set the repast for the
absent one just as il he We're still there in
person. and fondly they say, and let us
hope, for their comfort, they believe, that
the spirit Of the departed one continues
to abide and eat with them
The children are told where the father
has gone. what he IS doing and how
glorious his career. They are told they
must be proud and strong and good al
tins time 80 that they too, may grow
old enough 10 serve Tenshi-sama.
Ihue. the chief part played by the Jap
anese woman IS one Of selfsacriiioe.
This is not all, however. From the
highest 10 the lowest woman in the land
the privilege is extended of contributing
in some way to the war fund. II it b,