Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-06-11
THE MANUFACTURES OF JAPAN AT THE DUBLIN
EXHIBITION.

/ Dublin Correspondence Of London Daily Ners May 49,
The unique collection of manufactures works Of art,
and cuostes from JAPAN contributed to the Exhibition
by the King of HOLLAND demands notice, independently
of its intrinsic merits from the circumstance that it is
the first time similar productions have been in Eu
rope beyond the walls of the Museum at the Hague and
early notice is well deserved also, because with Dutch
punctuality and businesske management this collection
ready for inspection at the opening of the Exhibition
when all around was confusion and packing cases.
The branch of manufacture which, from the place of its
origin in this country obtained the Japan
ming is not largely represented as might have been
anticipated, but the comparatively few specimens are
sufficient show that the Birming CHAM manufacturers
have yet attained high degree Of finish in this
the japanese 1t that the polish of the yarnsh
is brighter but there is perfect of surface that
reflects the light equally from surface of ground and
polished glass; without any of the Irregularities gene
rally observable in English goods of similar kind. 1t
would appear that the varnsh OF the japanese be of
superior quality to that of the English for judging from
OF tea cups made of paper mache that material is
accustomed be used in contact with hot water without
much injury to the surface and without impartng dis
agreeable to the beverage There is specimen also
OF bowl for holding liquids made of straw japanned,
which feels lighter than paper mache and equally strong
1t is evident indeed, from the small variety of
cmens of this branch Of manufacture in the collection
that the japanese apply the of apannng to many
other than accustomed to. Among the war
like accoutrements for instance there is highly finished
apanned shield entirely black, without ornament which
projects in the CENTRE in the approved form Of ancient
shields Whether ball would glance from the curvature
may be very questionable but II Is at all events we'll
adapted 70 ward on any missile projected by hand.
The specimens of silks and veivets very clearly show
that the japanese makers Of such fabrics the
European manufacturer in the quality Of the article how
rude may be the machinery they employ for the pur
pose Some sken cords of various degrees Of thickness
will also bear comparison with any that be produced
by the improved machinery of England. The can
dies Of which there several specimens deserve notice.
from the pecularty OF their shape and the mode of
nufacture. They made Of the hardest and are
evidently formed by the process Of successive dppngs
like the candles in this country the unevenness of the
hair in v by
mechanical means. The pecuiarity in their shape
sists in their being conica instead of cylindrical the
broader end being placed uppermos To give additional
4 finish to the exterior the candles painted.
The accoutrements of war do not present very formd
able appearance, is figure of warrior armed capa
pie with visor the lower part of his face resemb
ling demonacal mask, calculated to excite much alarm
in any but little children. The firearms long and
heavy, and adapted be fired from the shoulder
the swords short with daggers attached, and they
enclosed in clumsy cylindrical sheaths The armor OF
mail with which the model warrior is clad is composed Of
Ia fabric sufficiently thick to resist the
thrust of spear. There is nothing in the display Of
weapons and armor TO deter the Americans from making
their nroad into JAPAN and the only seemingly rational
Of making it death penalty to take any arms from
island must be prevent exposure Of the defenceess
condition Of the people The martial music consists of
drums Of various kinds and with them placed several
utes and guitars curousy shaped bat there are no wind
instruments.
men and finished workmanship those Of the Chinese
There several cabinets Of them is elaborate
y decorated the fans common, and the articles OF
adys toilet though they indicate the great variety Of
things requisite in the dressing Of Japanese BELLE
rather coarsey manufactured One cabinet is expressly
adapted for smokers There is a the top to hold
fire for lighting the pipe with drawers underneath TO
tain the pipes and tobacco The Japanese 1e is very
choice in his tobacco and remarkably delicate in its use
for the specimens Of pipes exhibtedone gold the other
slver-wl not hold half Of small thimbleful Of the
plant parasol is perhaps article of necessity
than Of luxury Japan and the specimens Of them
certainly not externally ornamental though they deserve
notice from the materials Of which they constructed
The part that is silk in parasos is made Of paper
creased into many folds the ribs Of thin spced bamboo
and they open and close with great The outer
erng is Of dark color the interior white which is the
Of what theory would declare be the proper
colors for repeng heat but these paper parasOls must
nevertheless form much better shades than semrahslu-
cent silk.
collection Of japanese COINS from the largest gold to
the smallest silver forms interesting part of the col
lection The gold coins obong, with rounded corners
and the value Of the argesi about ESQ., The smaller Of
the silver coins obong with sharp corners Next 70
the coins are placed specimens Of japanese printing types
They are made Of wood the body Of the type being cyn
drca with the letter at end and they must conse-
queny be separately, and not set up in FORM, like
our printing types.
somewhat startled at the stuffed monsters from Japan
What the unexpored parts Of that island may not
tain it would be presumpuous to state but y requires
considerable stretch Of creduy to believe in the exist
ence Of flying monkeys and Of serpents with monkeys
heads yet such objects presented with ndubitabe
skin hair and bones; and II is difficult TO detect where
the skin Of animal has been joined 10 that Of another
To artists skilled in the manufacture Of the
creation Of mermaid would present little difficulty and,
though there is not the bodily presentment Of there
is pictorial representation which, instead Of realizing
the poetcal idea of such being. be literal
copy Of mermaid manufactured by the junction Of the
body Of ape to the tail Of a fish, There several
other specimens which indicate prevalent taste for mon
strositics.
hterments IN Washington during ae month Of Nay.
Il rrts. m