THE COURT LIFE OF JAPAN.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 116, 8 February 1908, Page 11

THE COURT LIFE OF JAPAN.

..Tho position of the Mikado is not altogether .'an enviable one, according to West-ern,-ideas, says a writer ill the "(luceii.'' He maj novor leave Japan, and lie is therefore UTiablo.to visit the rulers of the .countries with i\ hom he is in friendly relations, and thus to make his personality known and liked abroad, as do the kings and. queens ,of European States; His-wife is always one of his subjects, and she is chosen for him from one or .the .live.families next .in rank to his own. lie is also; hedged about with an etiquette the :rigidity of which .would bo- considered intolerable by even the strictest of European Courts, though many of the forms and cere-

monies havo .now been, given .up.• January 11,.. was-a memorable day in the his'tory. of the,, Court life of Jaiia,n; the Emperor then voluntarily limited liis own power to . bring his . country more into lino with -European notions, and on the same day ho publicly raised his wife to an equal lovel with . himself. Formerly the consorts of Japanese 'emperors 'had occupied an altogether.: inferior- position. They did . not sit down.to...table'.with,|hoir husbands, and at public functions their, equipages followed at a respectful ;distance; but- everything was altered on that memorable day. During the Royal progress through the streets of Tokio the; Empress for the-first time in the-history of modern, Japan accompanied her husband in; tho-Royal carriage. . Tho Emperor has steadily.'adhered''to-this policy,■ and; he always; observes; towards his-wife, in private as: ill - public, .courtesy and- consideration shown by the gentlemen of civilised European'countries.'to their ladies.

These important -alterations :in tho" etiquette of the Japanese Court are due to the direct influence of the Empress' herself, who is generally admitted by; all who - know her t.o -bc: ii' woman, •> of exceptional ' intelligence' and' charm. ;.- Modern writers have waxed enthusiastic oyer,- the pei>.nality of Hani : Ko; Empress; of I ..japan, and liavo described her; 'as 'an angel of. goodness and' beauty. Her; very name is a poem—the': Child of Spring; sho is-called by Pierre Loti Imperatrice Printemns. Thqre is little doubt' that wonderful advance made by Japan in ; jons-.''.during ; thb .last twenty years ■ has;.b'eon.:in a 'great measure due to her great powers., She'is just fifty year's ;6f age, and to the noble Ichijo''family: one of the fiye: ; from which the; Mikado's wife''is ; always •chosen.! In , all matters', that' ''concern''', the" welfare of .her country, -and espccially'-of jt-s .women; the Empress can be r counted' .upon :as ' a staunch ■ ally: Many '.hospitals, - and schools arc .-uuder her-'spccial' patronago, she takes, the keenest;interest in. their'management and all details, and suggested. improvements must be submitted to • her lirst. Her generosity is 'groat; and it is said; that' she; denies herself pleasure's that sho. may have, more money to spend .'on' .others. As ipiglit he .expected' from' an exceptionally cultured' and intelligent- woman,' special interest in the education of. the women-alid girls of the country, and ovcry, year sho sends, five, of. the cleverest' w&meu. .in Japan to, study in an American; .tn.lvqrsity at.-, her expense; She- subscribes': largely . to-: tho': • .Women?s ' University,.. opened I in Tokio ,in 1901, and'she » a .t.the-head of .that wonderful institution tho,lied Cross Society of Japan.' Her chiof mtorest.,lies in-the'.'Peeresses School at Tokio fP F the/daughters of the nobility ) ifc is ;under : direct patronage, and ,sho was- present' ? atrtho opening,' whon- sho made a 'storing' to the girls.She' l .'constantly visits .the school and. attends the'.classes, listening attentively : to-.-.tho'"lectures. The principal :is a, former- Court ladv, thoroughly well educated and (rained in all the intricate .branches of Court etiquette. Her* position Highest.it is:.i)i, tbd power' of.' the'Gov!ernmcufc:tb bestow upon a woman; It: is from •the, Ecerqssos- School that'the Court ladies iare Sow^taken.:' .In- former-clays,Hh(i : daughters ,of the'- BmP B tpr;,dragged::oUt>'s!id; nn«i .secluded- existney/werc never nllo\vod to;marry, ! /nen> ircro, considered .'beneath. thc/h in .rank, :.;s6-- they ■ generally 'consecrated .tliemsely?s to - religious . observances aridKecafno ;nuns;or Shinto, priestesses.. \Jiv 'future, .'howo\cr, all _Royal. ladies will take their places' L-iiv-tbe lifo and l interests - of the Court and | count! v -. .' '. 1 ■' 1

The hchps who take pirt in' tlio"Cpurt life for...Japan appeal--to lie .111 a fortunate posi.They aio all highly .'educated, and many.of. thorn, .including tho>Empress'herself;-. contnbuto ; tb7'tho 'literature of their. :count.ry. ~£ho ladic.s, of tho.Japanese:.,Court .have ahvays boon celebrated ' for 'their cul,turo, and tho tradition, is still maintained. ■J e ■ x t : r lO foundation .of tho ;Peeresses' : -.fufcuro" little. < Indies. ; in ; waiting, , ; wero j brought into , the palaco at- tlip .early, , n SP .of .ten 01 eleven, and - were there thoroughly tranied 111 all tho brandies* of Court' etiquette, which arc verv intricate; but Jnprme.se "omen are so quid; and intelligent that tho.v. soon .become proficient 1:1 all I the complicated ohscnanccs Their 1 salaries, | which,vary with their rank and duties, are !y ways good, and they, receive maiir valuable ' p^?^i' r °!J!'' : '^ e men;tion many. Court perquisites:,'.'ivhichvi'co'mo their way. ' ■ ■ ■■■ ■. •''A'.- / '"'