Ancient Japan Women

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What’s it like to be a woman growing up in Ancient China and Japan? How were women treated in Ancient China and Japan? Women in Ancient China and Japan both had arranged marriages, but their lifestyles and privileges are contrasting. During both Ancient China and Japan marriages were arranged. During Ancient China, once a woman was married, she would live with her husband and was required to obey members of his family, especially his mother (“Daily Life of Women”). During Ancient Japan, the common marriage system was called “Muko-iri,” where the bridegroom would live with his bride’s family and offer his labor for a certain amount of time (“Women in Ancient Japan”). According to the article “Women in Ancient Japan,” Japanese women couldn’t …show more content…
Before marriage, she answered to her father and after marriage, she answered to her husband (“Daily”). According to Confucius, a woman’s duty was to look after her husband, sons, and other men in her life (“Daily”). They had two important roles: being a mother and mother-in-law. They were often respected by their families as the oldest living member, especially if they survived their husbands (“Daily”). As stated by the article “Daily Life of Women,” during Ancient China having a son was the most important duty for women. Having a son was celebrated more than having a daughter. Women had more respect from the family when she had a son. Sometimes the husband had other wives if his current wife didn’t have a son. Ancient Chinese women did not have few job privileges. One of their jobs was housework and raising the children. Another job they had was weaving, spinning, and sewing so their husbands could sell the products as additional income for the household (“Women in Ancient China”). The wives of peasants helped their husbands in the fields. Moreover, some women took the job of prostitution. Talented girls could end up becoming a courtesan, who were instead a songstress, poetess, dancer, and companion in one (“Women in Ancient China”).Some men who had a favorite courtesan could buy the woman free and take her as a concubine or wife (“Women in Ancient China”). Lastly, some women also became servants if their families had it rough during

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