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6/29/1941 - History of Japanese Divorce; the Enkiridera by Thomas L. Blakemore

IOT I OR PUZLIC TIOi TLB WSR Nichome Ichibeicho Azabu Tokyo Japan June Dear In connection history Japanese divorce Dean Hozuml Thursday elaborated curious legal institution enklridera which existed during Tokugawa period It happened reception particular I followed remarks enough strong surge interest Afterwards I asked Professor Takayanagi explain points English later decided caseout seeing extent I could practical reference library I I might picked better topics experiment merely historical interest discussed modern texts Family Law which I Still dictionary legal history there decipherable comments notes lecture Enkirldera translates strictly relation cutting temple which nearly explanatory title It temple women purpose divorce According based chiefly Chinese concepts husband alone given power divorce which exercised quaint formalities simply repudiating Petitions divorce recognized course process developed benefit The divorce obtained taking advantage peculiar status As western countries seems regarded having dropped society completely And matter practice certain length elapsed after taking worldly relationships formally severed marriage inbluded Originally admission order offered seclusion refuge ventually other possibilities became apparent A woman could enter J apanese phrase likely reason proper temple three years society person Certain temples having convents became renowned service position feudal society somewhat analogous Reno Lake Tahoe One temple found Y present Tokyo another hours other Yokohama They still exist although their function divorce courts ended beEinning MelJl period I unable concerning practical workings these divorces whether developed point becomlngtrue legal fictions requiring nrollment elapse The assumption seems three perlod actually spent convent conventlmnal manner However apparent popularity system imagine there exception favor temporary probably visitors which ameliorated monotony cloistered Dean Hozumi taken special interest these divorce convents class descriptions visits different findings their records He written subject I whenever I better qualified I thoroughly Quite possibly there material interesting comparisons common Sincerely