Los Angeles herald., 1905-01-02
JAPANESE PROVE
FINE L|NGU|STS
MIKAD0'S SUBJECTS LEARN
ENGLISH READILY
Bright Child Of Former Well Known
Artist Of the Orient Is the De-
light of Fellow coun-
trymen

During the past few months residents
Of Los Angeles have been greatly sur
prised by the ability of visiting Japan
ese merchants and officials in speaking
the English and many other languages.
The American accent of these visitors
has been the chief source of surprise
and the Japanese linguists appear to be
far in advance of those of any other
nationality.
An explanation of the perfect pro-
nunciation of the Japanese has been
given by Totaco Kawara, a Japanese
artist and curio dealer on South Main
street. Kawara has been in the United
States scarcely more than one year and
his English is rounding into excellent
pronunciation.
In speaking of the japanese linguists
he said: "Since the Japanese adopted
the civilized methods of Americans
many years ago the linguists of my
country have been perfecting them
selves in the English language until
it is taught by American teachers in
many Of our universities and schools
'In this manner they acquire per-
lection of speech which otherwise could
not be obtained. Even now many of
the Japanese mothers are having their
children taught the American language
in preference to the Japanese because
the latter language will come naturally
to the child through hereditary tender-
cies.'
Artist of Note
Shortly after his arrival in America
Mr.. Kawara came to Los Angeles and
opened a curio store. In Japan, prior
to his immigration, Kawara was an
artist of no small note and since coming
to the United States has instructed
many Of his countrymen in the Japan
ese style of painting and drawing.
To this he has added the American
style of drawing, making a new addi-
tion to the many advancernents of the
finer arts Of the Japanese. Mrs. Yume
Kawara, the little wife of the artist, is
one of the fairest flowers of the Orient
and is also a clever linguist.
A little over a year ago, shortly after
the arrival of Mr.. and Mrs. Kawara in
Los Angeles, a little almond eyed
stranger arrived at the family house
hold on South Olive street and the cele-
bration of his first birthday was held
three days before Christmas. The boy
is exceptionally bright and is the pride
of the Japanese residents of the city.
The naming of the baby occurred
shortly before his first birthday and
was accompanied by appropriate cere-
monies, and after that as is the custom
in all well regulated Japanese house.
holds, a profession was selected for him
to follow. This custom in the extreme
early youth of a Japanese child has
caused the men and women of that ma
tion to be among the most skilled ar
tisans.
Japanese Surgeon
The father held for the boy to follow
the army life OF the Mikado's troops
but the mother refused and the laugh
ing little youngster is to be fitted for
the life of the japanese surgeon and
physician. His name. Horo Saku, has
various meanings in his native tongue,
chiefly referring to happy state OF
prosperity.
The rearing Of the child will be along
the modern views of the Japanese anJ
when the boy begins TO find that he has
tongue for the purpose of speech. an
American nurse will be hired and he
will be taught the language of his land
of birth prior to receiving instruction.
The Kawara family is regarded as ona