of high rank have a separate suite of rooms assigned to them, beyond
which they are seldom seen. Among the middle and lower orders they
enjoy more liberty, though they are careful to seclude themselves, and
are distinguished in general by extraordinary reserve. Men pay them
a polite respect not common among semi-barbarians, as the Japanese
will continue to be until they are forced to acknowledge the duty of
intercourse with the rest of mankind.
The marriage laws of Japan are curious, and vary in different classes.
Among the wealthy they are occasions of extravagant parade and long
ceremonies, in which the minutest detail is regulated by a peremptory
law. A full description of all the marriage ceremonial would fill a
small volume. A man can only take one wife; he is united to her in the
temple. In addition, however, he may take as many concubines as he
chooses, who are not degraded by their position. He may separate from
a woman when he pleases; but one who is known to have done so must pay
a large sum for the daughter of any other person whom he may desire
to have. Marriages are seldom contracted before the age of fifteen.
The courtship and betrothal are conducted with much formality; but
sufficient opportunity is allowed to the youth of the two sexes to
become acquainted each with the other.
The Japanese are not so jealous as many other Asiatics: “Indeed,” says
Captain Golovnin, “they are not more so than, considering the frailty
of the sex, is reasonable.” Nevertheless, a man may put his wife to
death for whispering to a stranger; while adultery is always capitally
punished, sometimes by the hand of the injured husband.
In the northern parts, it is said, that in the beginning of the
seventeenth century a curious custom prevailed. When a woman was
convicted of infidelity, her head was shaved. Her paramour was exposed
to an equally disgraceful, but more whimsical penalty. The friends of
his victim, whenever they met him, might strip him naked, and deprive
him of his property. But the modesty with which youth are inspired from
the cradle tends much to protect female virtue. The intercourse of the
sexes, it will thus be seen, is regulated by very natural laws; the
condition of the sex is somewhat high. Its virtues are prized by the
men, and consequently are generally faithfully preserved.
We have said, however, that the men of Japan are licentious; since,
therefore, the wives and daughters of the respectable classes are
difficult to corrupt, a numerous sisterhood of prostitutes is
rendered necessary. Accordingly we find them from the earliest period
associating with every rank of men. In one of William Adams’s letters,
published under the editorship of Mr. Rundall, we find the king coming
on board our countryman’s vessel, bringing with him a number of female
comedians. These formed large companies, and travelled from place to
place, with a great store of apparel for the several parts they played.
They belonged to one man, who set a price upon their intercourse with
others, above which he dared not charge under pain of death. It was
left to his own discretion to set a value on a girl at first; but
afterwards he could not raise, though he might abate his charge. All
bargains were made with him, and the woman must go whither she was
directed. Men of the highest rank, when travelling through the islands,
and resting at houses of entertainment, sent, without shame, for
companies of these prostitutes; but the pander was never received by
them, however wealthy he might be; after death he was also consigned
to infamy. Bridled with a rope of straw, he was dragged in the clothes
he died in through the streets into the fields, and there cast upon a
dunghill for dogs and fowls to devour.
In Kœmpfer’s account of the city of Nangasaki we find a curious
description of the prostitute system. The part of the town inhabited
by these women was called “the bawdy-house quarter,” and consisted of
two streets, with the handsomest houses in Japan, situated on a rising
hill. At these places the poor people of the town sold their handsome
daughters while very young, that is, from ten to twenty years of age.
Every bawd kept as many as she was able in one house; some had seven,
others 30, who were commodiously lodged, taught to dance, sing, play
on musical instruments, and write letters. The elder ones taught the
younger, who in return waited on them; the most docile and accomplished
were most sumptuously treated. The price of these women was regulated
by law; and one wretched creature, having passed through all the
degrees of degradation, occupied a small room near the door, where she
acted as watch all night, and sold herself for a miserable coin. Others
were set to this task as a punishment for ill behaviour. The infamy of
this vile profession attached justly, not so much to the unhappy women
themselves, as to their parents who educated them to it. Many, as they
grew up, changed their mode of life, and were received again among the
reputable and chaste. Generally well educated and politely bred, they
often procured husbands, and passed from a life of daily prostitution
to one of unswerving fidelity. The pander and the tanner of leather
occupied the same position in society; which shows that the prejudice
of class, rather than the abhorrence of an infamous calling, ruled the
Japanese.
The historian classes the temples and brothels together, and not
without justice. Prostitution was greatly encouraged by the priests.
In their public spectacles, representing the adventures of gods and
goddesses, young prostitutes, richly attired, were engaged to act.
Their performances resembled those of the European ballet--dress,
gesture, and action expressing that which in a drama language would
represent.
Such was the prostitute system in the great cities; throughout the
country a similar system prevailed. The houses of entertainment
lining the main highways, with the tea-booths of the villages, were
frequented by innumerable girls. These usually spent the morning in
painting and dressing themselves, and about noon made their appearance
standing before the door of the house, or sitting on benches, whence,
with smiling face and coy address, they solicited the passengers. In
some places their chattering and laughter were heard above all other
sounds; two villages, called Akasaki and Goy, were celebrated on this
account, all the houses being brothels, each containing from three
to seven prostitutes. The Japanese seldom passed one of these “great
storehouses of whores” without holding intercourse with some of these
women. Kœmpfer asserts, in contradiction to Caras, who married a
native, that there was in his time scarcely one house of entertainment
in the islands which was not a brothel. When one inn had too many
customers, it borrowed some girls from a neighbour who had some to
spare. This profligate system is said, in the Japanese traditions,
to have taken its rise at a remote period, during the reign of a
certain martial emperor. That monarch, who was perpetually marching
his armies to and fro, feared lest his soldiers should become weary of
separation from their wives; he therefore licensed public and private
brothels, which multiplied to such an extent that Japan came to be
known as “the bawdy-house of China.” This was in allusion to a period
when prostitution was made in that empire an unlawful calling, and
suppressed by severe laws. The people, deprived of the resources they
had formerly enjoyed at home, made Japan the place of resort; so that
its prostitution system flourished far and wide.
These accounts appear extravagant, and doubtless are so in some degree;
all writers, however, coincide in describing the prostitution system
of Japan as very extensive and flagitious. The French historian,
Charleroix, repeats the statement of Kœmpfer. We have before us
extracts from the autograph “diary of occurrants” written by Captain
Richard Cock, who was chief of the English factory at Firando, from
the year 1613 to 1623. There are many passages corroborative of the
representations we have given. Of these some examples follow, which are
also interesting as illustrations of Japanese manners.
“A.D. 1616, Sept. 8th (at Edo).--We dyned or rather supped at a
merchant’s house called Neyem Dono, where he provided caboques, or
women players, who danced and sung; and when we returned home he sent
every of them to lie with them that would have them all night.
“October 24 (at Yuenda, between Edo and Firando.)--We went to bed, and
paid 3500 gins; and to the servants, 300 gins; and to the children, 200
gins, or about 200_l._ This extraordinary charge was for that we had
extraordinary good cheer, being brought hither by a merchant of Edo,
our friend, called Neyemon Edo, and every one a wench sent to him that
would have her. I gave one of them an ichebo, but would not have her
company.
“1617-18, January 27th (at Firando).--Skiezazon Dono set the masts of
his junk this day, and made a feast in Japan fashion. 29th. Skiezazon
Dono and his consorts had the feast of Baccus for their junk this day,
dancing through the streets with caboques or women players, and entered
into an English house in that order, most of their heads being heavier
than their heels, that they could not find their way home without
leading.
“March 29th (at Firando).--The kyng and the rest of the noblemen came
to dyner (at the English house), and, as they said, were entertained to
their own content, and had the dancing beares or caboques to fill their
wine; Nifon Catanges, with a blind fiddler to sing, ditto.
“July 11th.--There came a company of players, or caboques, with apes
and babons, sent from the tono, or king, to play at our house.
“December 6th (at Meaco).--Our host, Meaco’s brother-in-law, invited
us to dyner to a place of pleasure without the city, where the dancing
girls or caboques were with a great feast; and there came an antick
dance of satyrs or wild men of other Japons, until whom I gave 1000
gins (about 10_s._), and a bar of plate to the good man of the house,
value about 1_l._ 1_s._ 6_d._ So the dancing girls were sent home after
us.”
As not altogether inapplicable to the subject, the following passage,
which shows how the courtezans of Japan proceed towards such as would
cheat them, may be cited: “The caboques took Tane, an interpreter,
prisoner, for fifteen tares (about 3_l._ 15_s._) he owed them for
lichery, and, not having to pay, set his body for sale, no one having
the money for him.”
It would appear that in obtaining possession of a female of this class
by clandestine means tragical consequences may ensue; while, if done
fairly, considerable expense may be involved. Mr. Wickham, one of the
English factors stationed at Mesco, writing on the 15th of April, 1616,
to his chief, Captain Cock, gives an account of a soldier of high
reputation who ran away with a prostitute, and, fearing she would be
reclaimed, was seized with a fit of frenzy, during which he first cut
the throat of the girl, and afterwards ripped himself up. The writer
then communicates a piece of news:--“Micaonæcamo, the nobellman that
gave me my cattan or sword, hath carried away a caboque, and hath payed
her master 10,000 tares (2500_l._). I would I had the money, and it
makes no matter who hath the woman.” Replying to this communication,
Captain Cock quaintly observes on one point, “Yf some will be so
foolish as to cut their bellies for love (or rather lust) of whores,
the worst end of the staff will be their owne;” and on the other point
he agrees with his correspondent that he “had rather have the money
than the ware.”
Vice of a more brutal kind is systematically practised by many of the
Japanese nobility, as well as by the meanest orders; and houses are
kept for this purpose similar to those inhabited by prostitutes.
Some parents apprentice out their daughters for a term of years to this
abominable profession, and the girls then return to honourable life.
The houses they frequent continually resound with music. At Jeddo, a
later traveller was informed there was one brothel, or rather temple
of prostitution, where 600 women were maintained. Notwithstanding
this number, young men were nightly refused admittance, from the
over-crowded state of the rooms. Passing through the streets of the
brothel quarter Golovnin saw groups of girls standing about the doors;
some of them were in the bloom of youth, and so handsome that they
appeared fascinating even to the European eye.
Thus the system of professional prostitution flourishes more in Japan
than in any other part of insular Asia; yet the women of other classes
appear to hold a higher position, and to enjoy more respect from the
men. It is remarked, however, by all writers, that the profligacy of
the female sex is confined to those who are so by profession; but the
male is generally licentious throughout the empire.
OF PROSTITUTION IN THE ULTRA-GANGETIC NATIONS.
In this division we include what are commonly called the Hindu-Chinese
nations, or the inhabitants of that immense tract lying between
Hindustan and China. Geography makes several sections of them, and they
present, it is true, some variety in laws, customs, and degrees of
progress. But these are not more distinct than may be observed in every
large country, whether called by one name or many. The same physical
type is marked upon them all; and, speaking in general terms, their
manners are uniform.
In one respect they are all similar. The condition of women is
extremely low. A curious phenomenon is observable in relation to this
subject. The Buddhists of the ultra-Gangetic countries, uninfluenced
by the jealous spirit of the Hindu and Mohammedan codes, allow to the
female sex great liberty; yet assign it less respect than it enjoys
either in Hindustan or China, to both of which they are inferior in
civilization. The freedom thus conceded to women fails to elevate them.
They are held in contempt, they are taught to abase themselves in their
own minds, and they employ their licence in degrading themselves still
further. In few parts of the world is the effect of Asiatic despotism
more plainly visible than in the countries lying between Hindustan
and China. The peculiar system of government renders every one the
king’s serf. The men labour for the benefit of their master, having no
opportunity to profit themselves by their own industry. Their support,
therefore, naturally devolves on the women, who in Cochin China
especially, plough, sow, reap, fell wood, build, and perform all the
offices which civilization assigns to the abler sex.
The marriage contract is a mere bargain. A man buys his wife from
her parents. The first is usually the chief, but he may have as many
others as he chooses to purchase. A simple agreement before witnesses
seals the union. The band thus easily formed is as easily dissolved.
In Cochin China a pair of chopsticks or a porcupine quill is broken in
two before a third person, and the divorce is complete. When only one
desires a separation it is more difficult, but the law allows a man to
sell his inferior wives.
The unmarried women of this region are proverbially and almost
universally unchaste. They may prostitute themselves without incurring
infamy or losing the chance of marriage. A father may yield his
daughter to a visitor whom he desires specially to honour, or he may
hire her out for a period to a stranger who may reside for a short time
in his neighbourhood. The girl has no power to resist the consummation
of this transaction, though she cannot be married without her own
consent.
The wife, however, is considered sacred, but rather as the property
of her husband than for the sake of virtue. A man’s harem cannot be
invaded, even by the king himself. This, at least, is the theory of
the law; but absolutism never respects the high principles of a code
which opposes its desires. Adultery is punished in Siam with a fine,
in Cochin China with death. In Birmah, executions are very rare among
females. “The sword,” they say, “was not made for women.” In all parts
of the region, however, the bamboo is in requisition to discipline the
women; and husbands are sometimes seen to fling their wives down in
the open street, lay them on their faces, and flog them with a rattan.
It will thus be seen that, lying between two regions, in each of
which a form of civilization has been introduced, the ultra-Gangetic,
or Hindu-Chinese nations, differ from them both. Since no unmarried
woman is required to be chaste, professional prostitutes do not form
so large a class as might be expected. They do exist, however, and
in considerable numbers. In Siam a common prostitute is incapable of
giving evidence before a country justice, but this is by no means
on account of her immorality. It is from other prejudices. The same
disability attaches to braziers and blacksmiths[76].
OF PROSTITUTION IN EGYPT.
Egypt, as the seat of a civilization among the most ancient and
remarkable that have flourished on the earth, calls for particular
attention. The inquiries of the curious have in all ages been directed
as well to its people as to its monuments. It has, indeed, been
the subject of infinite investigation. Travellers innumerable have
explored its beautiful valley; year after year adds to their number and
countless reports have been made to us of the ruins, the antiquities,
the resources, the condition, the scenery, and the manners of Egypt.
In all, consequently, except statistics, our knowledge is very
considerable, though the inexhaustible interest of that celebrated
country still leaves an open field for the romantic traveller. The
dry hot climate is supposed to influence the character of the people.
A remarkable system of politics also modifies the national features,
so that we examine our subject, in reference to Egypt, with peculiar
curiosity.
The population of Egypt is various, being composed of the four
Mohammedan sects, of the Copts, the Greeks, the Armenians, Maronites,
and Levantines. The mass, however, is formed of Arabs, while the
general plan of manners has originated, in a great measure, from the
spirit of the prophets’ civil and religious code. Of the system with
respect to the female sex this is more especially true; but the history
of manners before Mohammed’s age is too incomplete for us to know
precisely how much was originated, and how much was adopted by him.
Had his scheme opposed itself wholly to the previous habits of the
East, it would never have been so universally or so readily accepted.
It is one characteristic of Asiatic countries that women exercise less
influence on manners than in Europe. The laws made by men would, in
fact, isolate them within a sphere of their own; but agencies which are
irresistible counteract this effort. The tendency of social legislation
is to shut them out from a share in the government of society; but the
tendency of nature is in the contrary direction.
The women of Egypt are naturally adapted for the position in which
they are placed--unless we suppose that long discipline has subdued
them to the level of their condition. They display every attraction
for Mohammedans, with few of the characteristics which fascinate an
European. In youth many of them are possessed of every charm--the
bosom richly developed, the whole form gracefully rounded, the face
full of bloom, and the eyes overflowing with brilliance; but all
these beauties speedily fade, and nowhere is old age so unsightly.
The figure approaches maturity at the ninth or tenth year, and at
fifteen or sixteen has reached the perfection of the Oriental ideal.
With rare exceptions they have passed the flower of their lives at
24, and in this short-lived loveliness we may find one cause of
polygamy and frequent divorce, among a people with whom women are
the mere unspiritual ministers to the senses of man. The Mohammedan
peoples even his heaven with feminine creations destined for his
animal gratification. When, therefore, we find religion itself thus
impregnated with a gross element, we can only expect to find the female
sex regarded in a degrading point of view. The opinion prevails with
some Muslims, that Paradise has no place reserved for women; but this
is by no means the universal idea among them.
Though by their tame spirits and submissive humility the women of Egypt
appear moulded to suit the system in which they move, their character
has not, on the whole, been entirely vitiated by the process. Modesty
and virtue are frequent ornaments of the harem, and distinguish the
sex throughout the valley. Even among the lower or labouring orders,
though the maidens may sometimes be seen bathing in the Nile, or
hurrying from hovel to hovel naked, and at all times with a light and
scanty garment, a demure and retiring demeanour is general. Chastity
is a very prevalent virtue, except in the cities, where a crowded
population is immersed in that profligacy surely bred by despotism.
With respect to their modesty, travellers appear to have been led
astray by their prejudices. Many of them appear to carry among the
necessaries for their journey an English measure of propriety, which
they invariably apply to all nations with which they come in contact.
Thus the remark is commonly made, that women in Egypt hide their faces
in obedience to habit, but care not what other part of the person they
expose. Consequently, it is inferred they are devoid of modesty. But
this by no means follows. Custom, which is one of the most powerful
among the laws which regulate society, has taught them that to display
the features is disgraceful, but has made no regulation for more than
that. Unless, therefore, we accept the doctrine of innate ideas--which
meets a refutation in every quarter of the globe--we must not cite the
women of Egypt before the tribunal of our own opinions, and condemn
them on that charge. On the contrary, we must confess that they are
naturally a virtuous race, though the influences of their government
are sufficiently injurious. Any, indeed, but an excellent people would
long ago have been irredeemably depraved.
There are, in Egypt, only two classes of females--those whose opulence
allows them to be wholly indolent, and whose life is entirely dreamed
away in the luxury of the harem; and those to whom poverty gives
freedom, with the obligation of labour. To see the wife of a bey, to
examine her tastes, her conduct, her private pleasures, and daily
occupations, you have the beau ideal of a voluptuous woman literally
cradled in one long childhood, with all the ease, the indulgence, and
the trifling of infancy. Enter the habitation of a fellah or artizan,
and the hardship of the man’s lot is exceeded by that of his wife.
She has to do all that he can do; but if he be personally kind, her
situation is morally superior to that of the petted toy nursed on the
cushions of the harem. The same weakness, however, is paramount over
both. The indolent lady satisfies herself with rich Eastern silks and
shawls, and gems of fine water; while the poor drudge of the field adds
to her toil, and stints herself in food, to purchase decorations for
her person.
The polygamy which is practised in Egypt has, more than in many other
countries, tended to the degradation of the female sex. It seems to
be encouraged in some degree by the rigid separation of the sexes
before marriage. A man takes with less scruple a wife whom he has never
seen when he knows that if she disappoint him he may take another.
The law allows four wives, with an unrestricted number of concubines.
The Prophet, his companions, and the most devout of his descendants,
so indulged themselves; but the idea is vulgar which supposes that
Mohammed introduced the practice. On the contrary, he found it
universal, and was the first to put a check upon it. Some of the higher
moralists contend, that as four wives are sufficient for one man, so
are four concubines; but few of the rich men who can afford to keep
more allow themselves to be influenced by this opinion.