obesity. Of course the author's studies of the nude form were made in the jiu-jitsu schools and in the public baths. It may be that some of the Japanese possess badly formed bodies. The author did not see any while examining these people in the nude.
Once in a while an obese woman is to be encountered in Japan. If she is young, she will be the object of mild derision among her neighbours. The Japanese are ever polite, but the obese woman is likely to be told that her "honorable proportions" are excellent. The recipient of this information knows exactly what is meant. Nor can a Japanese woman who is too lean be considered as possessing a figure that is attractive. She is placed in the class with her over-stout sister. Both are repulsive.
Among the white races the men are likely to be angular, while the women are equally likely to be well-rounded. With the Japanese of either sex there is little difference in contour. A Japanese man, nude, exhibits about the same lines of grace in trunk, arms, and legs, as does the Japanese woman. The only real differences to be especially noted are found at
