All openings in the house must be square. An arched doorway 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.
Marriage.—Koreans never marry cousins or any one descended from the same ancestors, or even any one of the same name. One of the most famous of Korean kings, Seijong Daiwang, four hundred years ago, said that intermarriages would cause the race to become extinct. It was this same king who invented 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
