October, 1937
THE K I NG ' S BUS I NESS
373
Japanese Bride and Groom
Jinsaburo Lifts His Cross
By OPAL LEONORE GIBBS
Courtesy, Board of Tourist Industry Japanese Oovermnent Railways PART III M arriage at H oshigawa M anor Jinsaburo, a young Japanese university graduate living in Tokyo, became violently angry toviard his uncle when he heard him arranging, according to Japanese custom, to marry him to a girl named “Little Flower” without so much as consulting his wishes or allowing him to see the girl. Jinsaburo was astonished when Matsu Chan, his friend and fellow Christian, was willing to marry the eldest daughter of a family in which he must take the new family’s name because there were no sons to carry on the father’s name. A t the farewell for Matsu Chan, given at the missionaries’ home, Jinsaburo mar veled anew at the love the foreigners have for their Japanese brothers in Christ. In spite of irregularities in English idiom and spelling, Jinsaburo continues his journal. M ay 8 W E HAVE for two days been here at the manor of Hoshigawa. It is on small plateau by green peaks, like a box in the sleeve pocket of velvet kimono. There is across the ravine a water fall as white as bleached cloth. The house has twenty-one rooms, and there are serv ants as a hotel. Just now I have come from bath and two servants assisted to wash my back and care for my clothses. The ceremony has finished, but of course I could not see it. I only waited sorrowing for my friend who must sit in the formal room to take with his wife the nine sip- drinks of sake. Only the marriage-arranger and his wife are with them. I have not yet viewed the girl, but tonight we shall have [Mrs. Gibbs, who served many years as a missionary in Japan, bases this narrative upon her knowledge of Japanese young people and her personal acquaintance with the young man she calls " Jinsaburo .” — E ditor .]
Now I must aid him by letters in which I can transcribe Sunday sermons. But oh, my poor friend! He has married not only wife but new father and mother, grand father and grandmother, also eight brothers and sisters, three cousins and one widow, who is now his aunt! Perhaps his gentle spirit will conquer them all for Christ. The marriage gifts were profuse. Indeed, I should suppose there was •dried fish enough for all his life. Our family sent “ Uba To Jo,” or images of the old man and his wife who lived long happy marriage years in unity and peace. Uncle had it purchased from Kyoto so the white faces and soft hair are very well made. My mind runs from scene to scene in this country life, very simple and changed from the proud capital. There is even no taxi waiting at station, but we rode from it in rickshaws of Mr. Hoshigawa. It had rained so the road was slippery as wet fish, and I thought if my man horse should stumble and loose his grasp, my carriage would roll back to the bottom of ravines. Hence I could not joy in that ride at all, but sat stiff like wooden board all the way. Electricity has, however, reached to the village, so the lord of the manor com manded it also to his house, but that was only last year. And they have no electric heating, only great square hole built in floor of large rooms, where fire is made. And every one sleeps at night with feet turned to that hole, like spokes in a human wheel. M ay 20 The azaleas are in blossom and Uncle’s garden is on fire with their fierce red and hot purple. Many other trees are in gor geous clothses so the air is redoling with assorted perfumes. As I arrived home from Matsu Chan’s marriage, I heard a new cry in the house and understood that Aunt’s fourth child was borned. But it is ex tremely thin and weak, for the cause she gives her milk still to the small boy, Jiro. [Continued on page 414]
the feast and she will attend. I wonder how Christians do at marriage, and when my ceremony transpires, it shall be in that manner as possible. Later. The girl is very lovely and shy and lifts not her eyelids at all. Her name is Haruko, which means Springtime. I, of course, refused the wine tonight, and so also did Matsu Chan, though his new father may be greatly angered. The feast was not so good as I longed for the strawberry shortcake with cream which Tokyo feast have sometimes. Indeed, since I have often partaken of foreign restaurants, my taste of Japanese food grows little by little to be somewhat inferior. M ay 10 I am now on my ride homeward bound and alone. Yesterday my friend journeyed to the government office of his nearest town, and his name was there changed to Hoshi gawa. Alas! T o lose his father’s honored name! But his older brother will bear it always. He said to me in secret I must ever call him Matsu Chan, though it is so childish, as it sounds dear to him from my lips. Last night I walked down the mountain path to inquire of the village about Chris tians. The charcoal fellow said none were knowing of such religion nor did wish to know. I gave some witness of Christ to him and berated my mind for never once thinking of our church paper booklets about faith, what is it and how to get. After ward, I asked Matsu Chan if I might post them to him and he assented with eager ness. He also told me in privately that the girl was very good and he said to pray he would lead her family to believe in Lord Christ as Saviour. I wonder how lonely he is now and how he can bear this new life. At the station we spoke together of the lamp, which Pastor Fujimoto often preached, and I exhorted to keep wick clean by prayer and Bible study, and chimney of witnessing firm over the light. He declared he resolved to do so.
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