Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1853-02-10
MISCELLANY
Japan and the Japanese.

HdrIoW, us breadth IN the centre, not being
more than as miles. The Japanese are mix
ture of the Malay and Mongolian races. The
present inhabitants came either from China or
Corea, or from both; but separated by tenn
pestuous pillows from the rest of the world,
left to themselves and free from the invasion Of
heighbOring nations, they became and remained
an independent people. Their language is a
dialect of the Monaghan; the Chinese is the
language Of their learned men. / recently fell
In with an account Of the habits of the Japan
ese, and particularly in relation to dress, which
interested me much. 1t was given by one who
has recently been there, and its truth can be
depended upon. | will copy portion of this
account for your perusal:-
The clothing of Japanese exhibits the same
peeuliarities which characterizes their life and
customs. The Dutch have adopted the japon,
their outer garment, which has come into gen
eral use among them, and is now worn in Ba-
tavia and the principal Dutch cities. The ia
pom is sort of gown, open in front, falling in
many folds, from its width, and confined bv
scarf or girdle. 1t is the universal garment of
men and women, high and low, rich and poor
For the women it descends into train behind ;:
the men wear it Of equal length all around -
1t is made of Grape, silk or cotton stuff; the
women mostly choose brilliant coIors, and their
japons are frequently embroidered with flow
ers, or bordered with costly fringes of gold and
silver In winter Sill or cntfon linn, = eo,,ol
into the waddng. Sometimes two or three
japons are worn, one over the other; the fe-
males reach even twelve, which are then of the
finest Grape or silk. The sleeves are very
broad, and partly sewed or buttoned to the
hand, so that the ends hang down like pockets,
and are frequently used as SUCH The men
wear their scarfs and girdles of hands BREADTH
but with the women the band is broad and ia
pering at the back in two long points,
They are always made of the most costly ma
terals.
Shirts are not among the necessities of the
Japanese. The men wear cloth around the
loins, and the women a broad apron, which
reaches to the knee. The nobility and men of
rank also wear sort of pantaloon, starched
very stiff and laid in regular folds In cold
weather, socks of cotton or linen, reaching to
the calf, are worn. The shoes, or rather san
,daIs, are made of straw, or vanished wood,
fastened by bands passing over the top of the
foot. The lower order wear japon reaching
only halfway to the knee, under which are
long trousers.
In the street nearly all the males wear dark
colored mantles with sleeves, and open in front;
the women wear similar garment, reaching
to the feet and provided with cowl which can
be drawn over the head. On festival occasions,
the men also wear parade mantle, finely
starched and folded, fastened at the neck and
falling over the shoulders obliquely, before and
behind. In fbOnt on both sides of the breast,
and between the shoulderblades, the coat of
arms of the wearer-or his master, if servant
is worn. Each japanese, TO whatever rank
he may belong, has coat of arms. The
married women wear the insignia Of their hus-
bands.
The great pride of the people, since they
wear no jewels or ornaments, consists in the
richness Of the jaPon. The emperor wears
garment only once, the princess for few days,
the rank for longer period, and SO down to
the common people. 1t is custom among the
nobility to give their cast off japons to their ia
vorites. The fact of the donor having worn
the garment enhances its value. The people
mostly go bare headed, and much care is there
fore bestowed on the hair. The men keep
their boards cleanly shaven the hair is shear
ed on the crown, but allowed to grow on the
back part of the head, whence it falls in long
queue. The women comb their hair to the
crown, where it is fastened in knot The
combs and needles which adorn the hair are
made of tortoise-shell; and those which are
white or yellow, without the admixture of the
brown spots, are considered the most valuable.
The women also dust their faces with white
powder; the lips are painted, first with Grim
son, and then with purple dust, which gives
them transparent brilliancy. In most parts
of the empire, the married women blacken their
teeth. If a maiden does this Immediately after
her betrothal, it is held as very fattering
compliment to the bridegroom.
Neither men nor women cover their heads
IN general, whether in or out of doors hence
the use of umbrellas protection against the
sun and rain. A napkin or veil is worn over
the head'by women of all classes, to protect
the hair ornaments from rain and dust Sedan
chairs are in general use in the cities. They
are of two kinds-the norin1Ono. used by the
higher orders, and the kango, or basket, for
the lower. On longer journeys, horses are
mostly used, both for carrying men and mer
chandize The folds of the japon at the breast
serve as pocket for carrying money, papers,
and the like, as well as quantity Of clean,
fine paper, the pieces of which are used as
handkerchiefs and then throWn away. Pipes
and tobacco pouches are indispensable both TO
males and females, and sometimes snnf-boxes
are carried. The sabre is the most expensive
article Of costume to those who have the right
10 wear it. The fan, which is foot long, is
carried in the girdle, and used by all the Ja-
panese, except the common laborers
Children are not clothed, but from birth al
lowed perfect freedom in all their movements.
Since it is customary 10 sit cross-legped and
leaning forward, their stature becomes crook