Women of Japan 日本の女性
The Models’ Words モデルの言葉
寺岡ミカ TERAOKA Mika
I am 83 years old. My era was one of dominance of men over women, so my days were those of constant perseverance and restraining my own desires.
I served my husband’s parents single-mindedly, and I couldn’t defy my husband in any way. . . .
I spent so long persevering that the only peace of mind I could attain was through religion, and I am still a fervent believer of Buddhism. But I do not know how to write and, at this age, having endured so patiently, I have become strong and obstinate. My aging body has become creaky in places, but I’m still going strong.
translation by Beth Cary
私は、おんとし８３歳。この年代の日本人は、男尊女卑の時代の人間なので、ただただ、我慢の日々。
夫の親にはひたすらつくし、夫には何の反抗もできず・・・。
あまりに我慢の時間が永すぎて、安らぎを求めるには宗教しかなく、いまだに仏教をひたすら信じております。しかし、字も書けず、この年になりますと、一人で耐えてきました分、我も強くなり、がんこにもなります。今のところ、年の分、あちこちと、がたはきましたが、まだまだでございます。