The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1907-11-23
JAPANESE SIDE
OF QUESTION
SUBJECT OF MikADO IN SPO-
KANE TAKES ISSUE WITH
SPECIAL WRITER ON MATRi-
MONIAI MORALITY.

A Japanese resident Of Spokane
who for some reason wishes MS
name withheld. submits the follow
ing interesting reply to special ar
ticles published in The Press and
showing why the Japs are unfit for
American assimilation:
Editor, Press: | read Mr.. c. H.
Tavenner's socalled solution OF
Japan question in the last nights
Spokane Press, depicting Japanese
marriage system and also situation
of Japanese women.
wonder if the writer (Mr. TaV-
enner) has got enough common
sense tot observe nation and
criticize it. judging from his view
Cf 1t can be called so) which
grounds on absolute misunderstand-
ing.
| desire to prove his mistakes,
explaining our system, custom, etc.
The writer is ignorant Of our GUS
tom and habits.
Mr.. Tavenner said Japan has no
sweetheart" We have not an eQul-
violent in our society, but betrothed
wife or husband resembles sweet
heart" in some respect,
OF course, different countries
have different customs, habits and
systems. So we should not criticize
them from our own usage. If some
one boldly criticizes them on his
own standpoint he is a "put-feather-
his-own-nest" fellow.
like to state our matrimonial
system in brief here for reference
of my explanation.
Our affectionate parents desire to
get good match for their sons or
daughters, when the latters get
grown up to marry.
AS first step they begin to seek
good introducer from among
their relation or friends. This in
PRODUCER must be an experienced
man Cor woman in some case) in
married life, and shrewd to observe
mans or woman's qualification.
Introducer try his best TO find
out a good bride or groom for the
parents. The part of introducer's
act is to find out some candidate,
and again and again sift away them
until reduce to one, after strict in
vestigation on character, ability,
moral and line of family of the
sifted candidate, and report the
parents to recommend him or her
After the parents were reported
by the introducer. they themselves
detect character of the young folk
When these efforts get through
and manifest satisfaction, the bride
to-be and the grOom-to-be meet tC
get their own observation in per
son. This meeting, if suitable, fol
lows promise between the parents
of the both parties. Some days aft
err promise tied up. the young folks
study each others character and
habit and taste more close than
before.
After they studied their persona,
character and qualification they
enter into married life according
to legal matrimonial ceremony
do not detail here marriage cere
mony. as | do not believe it is
much necessary.
New married couple enter into
true love and enjoy their happy
life. This fact is just contrary &c
this country's system. While in
this country young couple exchange
their ardent love ere their married
life, during their courtship.
In our country. why the parents
are SO much meddlesOme concern
ing their children's marriage"
will reply in a word, their affec
tionate anxiety.
While young folks intoXicate il
sweet love of prime age and some
time lead an unhappy life owing Il
their inexperienced observation
the parents are very anxious tC
conduct their beloved children to
ward happiness, giving kind, eXpe
rienced advice.
In Japan women are more es
teemed on modesty. obedient, en-
durance and other virtue thar
their good appearance. And the
principal role of married womer