DOMESTIC SERVICE IN JAPAN.

Bruce Herald, Volume LII, Issue 23, 23 March 1916, Page 3

DOMESTIC SERVICE IN JAPAN.

In Japan domestic service is very honorable. Domestic servants rank before tradesmen, who are; considered at the bottom of the social ladder. In the absence of his master a servant will receive the callers and chat away familiarly but politely until the arrival of the 'head of the 'house. After rubbing knees together and kissing and kow'kowing he will invite you to take a seat—on the floor—or, more correctly speaking, on your heels with a flat cushion between your knees and.the floor to make the ordeal a little less painful. He will then offer you five cups of tea. Even after his master has arrived he may stay in the. room, and is likely to cut into the conversation, and quite certain to laugh at the smallest apology for a joke.' He brings all his sisters'and cousins and aunts to be introduced w"hen he: takes service, and the house is seldom without a few of them engaged in some business or errand. In the European' hotels in Japan the servants are, all men, who are dressed m indigo-cotton, doublets and hose, and run about barefoot. :