Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-09-20

The tourist who learns all there is
to know about country and its peo-
pie over night, was shown at his or her
true worth yesterday afternoon in the
Y. w. G. A. at the Woman's club gath
ering when Mrs. d. A. Murray, in q
thorough and easily appreciated man
ner, told of the people OF Japan. me
address really resolved itself into a
talk by one of the former girls OF OF
tumwa to many who had been her
friends in the days before she left for
the land Of Nippon. Without any at
fectation or display, and in natural
ness refreshing In such talks, Mrs.
Murray, who is best recalled as Miss
Annie Foster, interested her audience
Throughout her address by her simply
fkold tale Of the simple Japanese. Moth.
Ing Of much moment In the life and
Aabits Of the small people of the orient
[Fas left untouched by the speaker,
whose familiarity with. her subject has
been CLEANED through years of work
amonr the Japanese. Their customs,
home life, love for the simple life IN
almost every phase Of existence, were
dwolt on by Mrs. Murray for more than
an hour before the ladies of the Wom-
ans club.
Has Studied the Jap.
Assisting her husband, the Rev. D.
"A. Murray, In the missionary work OF
the Presbyterian church in Japan,
Mrs. Murray showed that during the
time she was in the land of rice and
silks she was an observer. She stated
that one does not learn the actual life
as 1t is lived naturally among the Jap
anese, by spending few weeks IN
their midst and stopping at their ho-
tells: trying to use the chop sticks,
etc The Japanese in such contact
with the tourist Is rather on his better
behavior and affects an attitude that
cannot be said to reflect his natural
manner Of living. One Is less apt TO
think he can write book about the
Japanese after long residence among
item, than the tourist who has spent
but few weeks In the country, said
Mrs. Murray.
Roof Raising.
The simple life of the Jap was re-
lated as it affected his every depart
ment OF life. The building of the houses
and furnishing the same, as well as the
customs, food, art, music, pastimes,
etc. all were shown to be most simple.
A description of the building Of the,
house was given by the speaker, who
said among other things that the rails
ing of the roof was the chief feature
and sometimes was made function
BY the persons erecting the home. The
cost will average $50, for the Japan
ese, so simple are his tastes. but the
European soon finds to meet mis- needs
that several hundreds of dollars for the
same house is required. The roof is
often made by the carpenters before
raising and lifted to position after the
four beams to support it are placed.
The Japanese do not care for any fur
niture beyond what Is placed in the al
cove which most houses have as the
best room. This sections furnishing
has the extraordinary sum Of vase
Of flowers and picture or scroll, with
POSSIBLY curio, but nothing more. The
balance Of the furnishings are kept in
store rooms. The rooms are covered
with mats, three feet by six feet in
size, and one can easily tell the di-
mensions of the house by counting the
rugs. The doors are of paper manufac-
ture and may be arranged at Will, ex-
cept that there is an outside or shelter
door Of wood used in cold or wet
weather.
Sit on the Floor.
The Jap necessarily requires less
house space than the American or Eu-
ropean people because Of the different
mode Of life. The custom Is always to
Sit upon the floor, and obviates the need
OF furniture for eating and sleeping,
both OF which take place on the floor. In
fact, the speaker stated that the same
room can easily be used for the triple
purpose Of eating. sleeping and enter
tanning guests. The beds consist Of
quilted pads, and these are rolled up
and put away when not in use. A
guest is given cushion after enter
ing. SO why the need of chairs. The