In long, trailing robes of white, crimson, or highly figured silk, with hair flowing in luxuriance over the shoulders, and bound gracefully in one long tress which fell below the waist behind, maids and ladies of the palace rained glances and influence upon the favored ones. They fired the heart of admirers by the bewitching beauty of a well-formed hand, foot, neck, face or form decked with whatever added charms cosmetics could bestow upon them. Japanese ladies have ever been noted for neatness, good taste, and, on proper occasions, splendor and luxuriance of dress.
With fan, and waving long sleeve, the language of secret but outwardly decorous passion found ample expressions. Kisses, the pressure of the hand, and other symbols of love as expressed in other lands, were then, as now, unknown. In humble life, also, in all their social pleasures the two sexes met together to participate in the same delights, with far greater freedom than is known in Asiatic countries. As, however, wives or concubines have not always the attraction of youth, beauty, wit, maidenly freshness, or skill at the “koto,” the “geisha,” or singing-girl, then as now, served the sake, danced, sung, and played, and was rewarded by the gold or gifts of the host, or perhaps because his Hagar.
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From General Nelson A. Miles
Thrilling Stories of The Russian-Japanese War, 1904
