Moos'Mei
Photograph
Moos'Mei
From the album Photographic Views and Costumes of Japan
ca. 1868
Albumen silver print with applied color
26.4 x 21.3 cm.
Purchase
1979.0059.0011
Inscriptions (applied label, printed, opposite page):
MOOS'MIE.
MOOS'MIE is the Japanese word for a female from birth to marriage,--equivalent to our word 'girl.' The lassie depicted here belongs to a rank of life corresponding to our domestics; but she is in her clean walking attire. The condition of a Moos'mie of this class, presuming her to be of respectable parents who are not in straightened circumstances, is by no means a hard one. She is taught to read and write; as well as to play samisen and sing, if her taste lies in that direction. And the houses of the commonalty are always more or less open, and they may be said to live in public, a freedom and openness is engendered, that seems to send every scandalous thought at defiance. When the time comes for her marriage, her parents make the needful arrangements in her behalf, with the parents of the swain who desires or is willing to take her as a wife; and a favourable day having been named by the priests or diviners, whichever are appealed to, the happy couple are united with no further ceremony, than the acceptance of each other in a general assemblage of their friends, who make them such presents as they can afford, and then feast and drink saki to their heart's content.
MOOS'MIE.
MOOS'MIE is the Japanese word for a female from birth to marriage,--equivalent to our word 'girl.' The lassie depicted here belongs to a rank of life corresponding to our domestics; but she is in her clean walking attire. The condition of a Moos'mie of this class, presuming her to be of respectable parents who are not in straightened circumstances, is by no means a hard one. She is taught to read and write; as well as to play samisen and sing, if her taste lies in that direction. And the houses of the commonalty are always more or less open, and they may be said to live in public, a freedom and openness is engendered, that seems to send every scandalous thought at defiance. When the time comes for her marriage, her parents make the needful arrangements in her behalf, with the parents of the swain who desires or is willing to take her as a wife; and a favourable day having been named by the priests or diviners, whichever are appealed to, the happy couple are united with no further ceremony, than the acceptance of each other in a general assemblage of their friends, who make them such presents as they can afford, and then feast and drink saki to their heart's content.
