[123] These are composed of a large circle of relatives, and exercise autocratic influence in most important questions.
[124] The word “family” is here and hereinafter used in a technical sense, peculiar to Japan, of a group of the same surname. In Old Japan the family was the social unit.
[125] “A Japanese judge has ruled in a certain case that the wife is not obliged ‘to obey the unreasonable demands of her husband.’ In this particular instance the man of the house had told the wife to perform some disagreeable manual labor for him; she refused, and he promptly divorced her. The wife appealed, and her plea was upheld by the court. A very important precedent has been established, and this decision may lead to a revolution in Japanese domestic life, in which, thanks to the courage of one woman and the enlightening effect of American ideals, the Japanese wife need no longer be her husband’s slave.”—Congregational Work.
[126] It is interesting to note that after a marriage ceremony at one of the shrines at Nikkō, the bridegroom and the bride were presented with a copy of Mr. Fukuzawa’s work.
[127] See Appendix.
[128] Chicago Daily Record.
[129] “H. M. the Empress gave a donation of 2,000 yen to the Women’s University established by Mr. Jinzō Naruse. Prince Iwakura and Marquis Hachisuka will call at the Imperial Palace in a day or two in order to express the gratitude of the university for this munificent donation.”—Japan Times.
[130] Her birthday on May 28 is annually observed by Christian women in special services.
[131] Arranged by the famous Buddhist priest, Kōbō Daishi.
[132] Read from top to bottom and from left to right.