The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-08-13
JAPANESE WOMEN.
Fine Qualities Hitherto Not Under
stood by the World,


One of the results of the Russo-Japan
for the women of Japan The attitude
and participation OF the Japanese wo-
men in this great event has given her
a real place in the worlds history. For
the first time in her proper sphere she
has been introduced to the world.
what the war has done TO open the
eyes OF the world to the sterling cuali-
Ties OF the japanese man is also true
or Japanese women
from the Russo-Japan war will date
renaissance for the Japanese woman,
e as Tar as history Is concerned. Here
torore she has figured only in fiction
and oftentimes bad fiction at that. ow-
ing TO the unfortunate misconception
or the writer's subject IN question.
while the war has brought sorrow
anG suffering into the hearts of its
thousands OF soldier widows it has also
Drought Its blessings to the japanese
woman as q whole
Inc japanese woman has been the
least understood of all women of civil
izeu nations. Carefully reared, con-
tented IN her secluded home life. she
mas SHOWN no desire to change her posi-
ton, and her position today remains
20 large extent that of her ances-
TORS The outside world has known
little or nothing of her. Her home life
she considers sacred, and carefully
guarded in this. as she is there has
been little opportunity or even desire
Tor her TO extend her acquaintance out
SIDE her immediate family and other
relatives, simply for social entertain
ment or for her personal pleasure She
mas devoted her life to her family in
the performance of the thousand and
one little duties done in the interests
OF love. So long as she was happy
and contented as the center of the best
type OF home life she had no desire.
to penetrate into the outside world to
seek the ffattery and admiration Of
so-called society. Thus the world knew
little, If anything. of the true Japa-
nese woman
1t is true that visitors to Japan met
certain type of woman called the
Geisha," or chorus girl, and they I'M
fortunately carried away with them an
opinion of japanese women based on
their limited knowledge of her
Before the war 1 am sorry TO say this
opinion was quite general. Nor did we
take the trouble to correct it.
The serious side of the japanese wo-
man and her innate talents have found
best expression during these trying
times through which her country is
passing. To appreciate that she has
shared generously in these it is only
necessary to consider her work which
has contributed to the Japanese sue
exception of active service in the ranks
Almost all appliances OF war including
clothing. special food for the soldiers
cotton balls and bandages, even to the
manufacture OF cartridges. have been
the work of woman. While she men
tally formed letters of announcement
to brother. father, husband or sweet
heart on the battlefield. her hands We're
busily employed in making the appur-
tenances of war which would spell their
country's success. Every home through
out the empire, humble or grand, rep
resenting princess to maid, was a bee
hive of wonan's industry. Those not
engaged in this work were admins
tering to the wounded and dying
friend and foe alike-in the hospitals
The keynote OF a japanese woman
ambition is Ito. become the wife of a
great man and the mother of an illus
trious sora.'' For this end she will sac
rifice everything. even her own life.
The effect of the war will not be to
lose a particle of this. but it will tend
to strengthen it, The widows interest
viii be centered in her sons-to educate
them to take their fathers place, both
in the home and in service TO their
country. thus to keep up, the family
name and honor.