WHEN LITTLE JAPS FALL IN LOVE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 47, 20 March 1909, Page 3

WHEN LITTLE JAPS FALL IN LOVE.

Sada Yacco, who has been termed "the <ftipanose Bernhardt," and who will be remembered as having appeared in London some years ago. ha's been describing the differences in the muuuer of love-making in the East and West. Says Madame Yacco: in my country— JajJait—ao girl is ever allowed to declare her love 'as frankly as it i.s done in the Western countries. On account of this custom Japanese women hide their love and become love-sick. ' Often they will die of love-si'.-kness rather than eonfeVs their love. Tlii* must seem very curious for youi readers to hear, but the difference comes 'from the fact that, whereas in your country intercourse between men and women is allowed entire freedom, in our country it is not so.

JAPANESE MAXIMS ARE STIiICT. in England men and women are on such an eiiulal footing- that there is hardly any more difference than in the intei'iourse between man and man. In Japan there are many strictly esUiblished maxims governing the conduct of men .imhwomen to each other, one; of Which foi'bids a nlau or a woman to sit in each' other's presence. After a girl and a boy are seven years old they must observe this custom rigidly.

, Thus it is that men aud women in .Japan htive no freedom in their relations.

This marked difference in the relationship of men and women in four country and in mine makes more silent tragedy and a serious people. I could not tell whioli .principle's are the bust, yours or ours, but I can say that there is a fair distinction in lire purpose of yours and ours. The moral laws of Japan for our women are different from the laws that govern youns. NEVER ALTER TIIEIR VOW'S. Of course, I am not very .weil acquainted with the skx'Uil conditions of your country, ami therefore cannot discuss tlic manner in which love reigns among your women. On tuu whole, hoVever, I think love in Japtiu is very aobie, sublime, and siilurcd.

Wilien two people fall in love with j each other in Japan millions of pouudsi could not iullueuce their affection. .Moreover, even a sharp sword hung threateningly over their heads would not alter their love vows. Love among' the Japanese women comes from true heUrts. Our people are not fickle, and they do not love for wealth or rank. Tu speak faithfully, although the Japanese ■women are the most amiable and tender in times of pence, in lines of war or danger tlicy urc always ready to sacriii'cc their lives for their sovereign, their country, and their husbands. Frequently the Japanese women work so hard that men doing the same Fabor would be overcome. These are the ch'arae'teris'tics of love in Japan.