hyaku
24th September 2002, 02:58
Taken from Mainichi Shinbun
Xenophobia also assumed a greater role in the nation's day-to-day life. Much newspaper space in 1934 was devoted to an argument about whether it was appropriate for Japanese children to refer to their parents as "Mama" and "Papa."
Nonetheless, at least one Western custom was adopted during the period -- women wearing underwear. Until a well-publicized Dec. 16, 1932 blaze at Tokyo's Shirokiya department store most Japanese women had been averse to wearing anything under their kimono. But among the 14 fatalities of the fire were some women who chose death by refusing to jump from the building's upper floors to a safety net below for fear that they would expose something they didn't want others to see. Sales of knickers skyrocketed in the wake of the blaze.
Hyakutake Colin
Xenophobia also assumed a greater role in the nation's day-to-day life. Much newspaper space in 1934 was devoted to an argument about whether it was appropriate for Japanese children to refer to their parents as "Mama" and "Papa."
Nonetheless, at least one Western custom was adopted during the period -- women wearing underwear. Until a well-publicized Dec. 16, 1932 blaze at Tokyo's Shirokiya department store most Japanese women had been averse to wearing anything under their kimono. But among the 14 fatalities of the fire were some women who chose death by refusing to jump from the building's upper floors to a safety net below for fear that they would expose something they didn't want others to see. Sales of knickers skyrocketed in the wake of the blaze.
Hyakutake Colin