An English girl in Japan

by Ella M. Hart Bennett

"An English Girl in Japan" by Ella M. Hart Bennett is a travel memoir written in the early 20th century. The book follows the experiences of the author, an English girl who embarks on a journey to Japan with her father, sharing her personal reflections and observations about the culture and landscapes she encounters. Through her eyes, readers get a glimpse of life in Japan during a time of significant change and modernization. The opening of the text sets the stage for the author's travels, describing her anticipation and preparation for a trip to Japan, which occurs when she is just eighteen. As she embarks on the journey with her father, the text captures her excitement and apprehension about exploring a land she has long heard about, depicted as an “earthly paradise.” Along the way, she provides vivid descriptions of her experiences aboard the American liner, the busy streets of New York City, and her impressions of iconic sites like Niagara Falls. The author expresses her disdain for overly detailed travel accounts, preferring to focus on the memorable aspects of her adventure that reflect the characteristics of the Japanese people and their cultural practices, setting a conversational and engaging tone for the narrative that is to unfold.