Daily public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1892-191?, 1912-10-05


no disposition to oyerstep the boun-
daries assigned to tine. is simply a
manifestation of the spirit that per
vades all classes. 1t is hardly a ques-
ton of higher or lower, superior or
inferior; 1t is a matter of duty Of
"bushido."
Certainly the Japanese woman is
not regarded as a handmade. She has
never been without her honorable
position In the body polite, nor has
the value Of her peculiar duties ever
been sighted. The duties OF bushido
are considered to be binding upon the
woman as upon the man, and mas
much as bushido means loyalty, so
the woman must be loyal to her hus-
band, as the man must be to the
emperor and to the country It is
only those who are led by a false in
dependence to revolt against all ideas
Of service who will criticise a ready
acceptance by the women OF Japan
OF domestic sphere which is as i'm
portant in its way as the larger serV-
fee to the empire.
But the Samurai woman was not
confined wholly to the household. She
was even taught the use of arms.
that she might help her father or
her husband if the need should arise,
and also that she might defend her
own honor. Japanese history has
many examples of women who be-
came governors, who led military ex-
petitions and who were famous in
literature, art, education and relig-
ion. Indeed, the path to public honor
has always been open to the Japanese
woman, but it could be attained only
by public service. There was only
lone standard of human value, and that
was adhesion to the national interest.
The woman who performed her whole
duty to the home was as worthy OF
veneration as the man who performed
his whole duty to the army and to
the country.
There have been distinct feminine
periods in the history OF Japan. Such
a period followed closely upon the In
PRODUCTION of Buddhism, which, with
fits indictments to charity, did much
to stimulate what may be called
feminist movement Such literary
stars as MuraEah Shillileu and Sci
shonagan not only were the most IA
nous authors of their time, but their
works are still classics. The educa-
ton of women was zealously fostered,
and we hear of meetings at which
wen competed with one another in
poetry, music and art. Works of
charity became honorable duties, and
we heart much of the Empress Komei,
who distinguished herself by personal
service to lepers.
But the feminist movement IN Japan
has attained its main successes since
the restoration and the fall OF the
6hogunate. Many Japanese women
have visited foreign countries, re-
ceived a foreign education and re-
turned TO their own country to play
the part of propagandists. The popu-
lar education Of girls has made great
strides, and even the extension OF po-
litical suffrage TO women finds it's ad-
Vocates not only among women them
selves. but among politicians and
leaders OF thought, But progress in
this direction is likely to be slow. A
society that has lately emerged from
feudalism and that is accustomed to
assign fixed duties to its various
grades is not usually tolerant of in
. novations or efforts TO enlarge the
boundaries OF particular classes. Bud
dism. moreover, is likely to play some
part in retarding the political advance
Of women, and in confning her activ-