KOREAN INTERVIEWS. 5 



All openings in the house must be square. An arched door- 

 way or window is not allowed except in the emperor's palace. 

 There is a prohibitory law against decorating in any way the 

 outside of a house, nor can the people build a house of over one 

 story. Streets are named after trees, famous men, historical events 

 which have happened on the ground, and attributes. Thus there 

 is a Happy Street, Blessing Street, Virtuous Street, etc. 



For centuries the fishermen of Korea have been accustomed to 

 pour oil on the water to make the sea calm. The Japanese also 

 follow the same practice. 



Makriage. Koreans never marry cousins or any one de- 

 scended from the same ancestors, or even any one of the same 

 name. One of the most famous of Korean kings, Seijong Dai- 

 wang, four hundred years ago, said that intermarriages would 

 cause the race to become extinct. It was this same king who in- 

 vented movable type made of iron. Marriages are arranged by 

 the parents. The bridegroom does not see the bride until the 

 wedding. The groom goes to the bride's house and escorts her 

 to his own house; after reaching the house they bow to one 

 another standing. The bride then bows to the groom's father 

 and mother and other relatives. She then offers wine and fruit 

 to the groom's parents, and this represents a form of tribute. 

 The relatives of both parties then have a great feast. When the 

 groom goes to the bride's house he carries a paper from his 

 father to the father of the bride, upon which is written, " I have a 

 son, you have a daughter." He also carries with him two pieces 

 of silk one red, the other blue each piece sufficient for a suit or 

 dress. The red silk is wrapped in blue paper and tied with a red 

 cord, while the blue silk is wrapped in a red paper and tied with 

 a blue cord. The cords are tied in a peculiar knot called the 

 " same-mind knot." Blue signifies the male principle, and red the 

 female principle. This silk constitutes the wedding present, and 

 is known as the " first cloth of ceremony silk," meaning the first 

 present of her future husband. Dresses are afterward made of 

 these pieces. When the wife dies the letter from her husband's 

 father, above mentioned, is buried with her. 



The first son derives his name from both parents ; thus, if the 

 father's name is Kum Pak and the mother's name is Chul Hei, 

 then the boy's name will be Kum Hei. A boy may marry as 

 young as fifteen years that is, the ceremony may be performed 

 then but he does not live with his wife until he is eighteen. 

 They may see each other, however. 



Adultery is punished by fining both parties. For rape the 

 offender is heavily fined and exiled for three years. Prostitution 

 is recognized by the Government. Adulterers are often forced to 

 be cooks in prisons and otherwise severely treated. Concubines 



