Hashimura Togo, Domestic Scientist

In Short

This collection of humorous letters follows Hashimura Togo, a Japanese immigrant working as a domestic servant in various New Jersey and New York households. Through his unique, fractured English and earnest commitment to "domestic science," Togo observes the eccentricities of his employers, from their complex social rivalries and changing fashions to their chaotic approach to housekeeping. While the book serves as a period piece reflecting the social climate of 1914, its enduring appeal lies in Togo’s sharp, dry wit and his ability to puncture the pomposity of the American middle class.

The Story

The narrative unfolds through a series of letters penned by Hashimura Togo to the editor of a housekeeping magazine. Togo moves from one household to the next, never staying long before he is either dismissed or chooses to leave. His journey begins with the Hoke family, where he attempts to navigate the indignities of a "Thursday Out" by attempting to manufacture his own version of leisure. His career is characterized by a series of misadventures: he is hired by the Humburgs, where he is expected to manage a furnace that he compares to a hungry idol; he is tasked by the Spiggotts to maintain a "coachman expression" while navigating the social minefields of visiting relatives; and he is employed by the Pumphreys, where he turns the act of swatting flies into a disciplined military campaign.

Throughout his travels, Togo remains a dedicated "Domestic Scientist," applying his own idiosyncratic logic to everything from the high cost of living to the mysteries of the tango. He suffers the indignity of being accused of shoplifting while running errands for his employers and frequently finds himself caught in the middle of domestic arguments. In one particularly memorable episode, he is tasked with managing the "Bachelor Hall" of a master whose wife has left him, only to be blamed by the returning wife for the resulting disarray. At the seashore, he falls out of favor with the Liddbeaters after his well-intentioned attempts to "save" them from the ocean go awry.

Togo’s observations extend beyond the kitchen. He accompanies his Aunt Taki Kati to the theater, where he critiques the "drama of sex," and he attends a waltzing cotillion where he observes the changing, increasingly revealing fashions of the time with a mix of confusion and philosophical detachment. He even attempts to engage in eugenics after reading a book on the subject, only to be rebuffed by a potential suitor who finds his family background insufficient.

The narrative reaches its conclusion when Togo finds himself working for the Pratts. The household is defined by a power struggle between the husband, who attempts to assert himself as the "Political Boss," and the wife, who commands Togo to deliver orders to the children. When the husband calls to order Togo to enforce discipline, Togo’s adherence to these conflicting commands leads to the inevitable collapse of the domestic order. The husband eventually reconsiders his stance, and Togo is once again dismissed, leaving the household to return to its previous state of discord. Togo concludes his chronicle with the philosophical realization that while men may claim to be superior, women are the ones who occupy the domestic sphere with unrelenting authority.

How It Unfolds

The domestic scientist begins Togo introduces himself as a man of science, intending to bring order and efficiency to the kitchens of his employers. He quickly discovers that American households are less concerned with logic than with the volatile moods and social posturing of their inhabitants.

A life of constant movement Each chapter documents a new position, from managing coal furnaces to organizing shopping trips. Togo’s attempts to fulfill his duties with "samurai" precision invariably clash with the unpredictable demands of the families he serves.

Social and cultural commentary The narrative shifts from the kitchen to the wider world, as Togo attends dances, theater performances, and social gatherings. He offers a detached, ironic view of American trends, comparing the "turkey-trot" to a convulsion and questioning the logic of operatic performances.

The final dismissal After a series of failed experiments in authority and household management, Togo is discharged from his final post. He accepts his departure with the same stoic resignation that has defined his entire tenure as a domestic worker.

The People

Hashimura Togo serves as the heart of the book. Driven by a desire to master the "science" of housekeeping, he is frequently thwarted by the lack of logic in his employers' lives. He is observant, prideful of his Japanese heritage, and deeply cynical about the social pretensions of his hosts.

The employers—figures like Mrs. Heneretta Hoke, Mrs. Griddle, and the various "Bosses"—serve as foils for Togo. They are generally portrayed as mercurial, status-conscious, and often hypocritical, constantly shifting between grand ambitions and petty complaints. They represent the "Mrs. Public" that Togo attempts to educate, though they remain largely immune to his scientific methods. Cousin Nogi, a recurring presence, serves as a sounding board for Togo’s frustrations, often sharing in his misery or providing a glimpse into the Japanese community’s own adaptation to American life. Each employer ends the relationship essentially unchanged by their contact with Togo, reinforcing the book’s underlying sense of cyclical, if humorous, futility.

In Its Own Voice

Togo’s voice is characterized by a unique, formal, and often intentionally fractured syntax that emphasizes his outsider status.

"Science in kitchen, rugs, vacuum cleaners, babies etc is what I wish teach all homes."

(Togo sets the stage for his mission in his "Introducement" to the reader.)

"If folks in this neighborhood could pay less attention to screen door and more to window-lock there would be less burglary."

(Togo offers a pragmatic observation regarding the misplaced priorities of the Pumphrey household.)

"At lastly I arrive to backdoor and obtain immediate farewell feeling that Man is superior to Woman, but that Woman are on Jobs more frequently all day."

(Togo summarizes the reality of domestic power dynamics after his final dismissal.)

What It's Really About

At its core, the book is a satire of the American middle class at the turn of the century. By framing domestic chores as a grand, pseudo-scientific endeavor, the author highlights the triviality of the concerns that occupied the domestic sphere at the time. The book asks questions about the nature of authority, the inherent contradictions in social norms, and the difficulty of bridging cultural gaps. Togo’s perspective serves as a mirror held up to his employers, exposing their lack of internal consistency. Ultimately, it is an argument for the absurdity of rigid social structures and the futility of trying to impose a "scientific" order on the messy, emotional reality of human interaction.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy dry wit, satire, and historical snapshots will find much to appreciate in Togo’s voice. The book provides a fascinating look at the anxieties of 1914—from the rise of eugenics to the moral panic over new dances—all filtered through a unique linguistic lens. However, a modern reader must approach the book with the understanding that it is a period piece; the dialect used to depict Togo’s speech is a hallmark of the era's literature, and the portrayals of race and immigrant experiences are deeply tied to the attitudes of 1914.

The experience of reading the book is one of gradual, rhythmic amusement. Togo’s earnestness in the face of constant rejection creates a compelling, if slightly melancholic, humor. What stays with the reader is the persistent intelligence of the protagonist and his ability to remain an observer of the culture that refuses to fully accept him. It is not a book to be rushed, but rather one to be savored in small, episodic doses, much like the letters themselves were likely consumed by their original audience.