Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-10-18
A Jananese Social Tea.Party.

"We paid visit to the jolly hostess aud the
lair danes of the inn-one of whom, by-the-by'
said she had looked for my return, and had
reared kitten for me, for which thanked the
fair creature, telling her | should take another
opportunity for calling for her present. We
pursued our peregrinations through the garden
and suddenly came upon social party of Ja-
panese ladies and gentlemen. at tea in pretty
summer-house. We bowed to them on passing,
and as we did not wish to intrude upon their
privacy, were about to withdraw when young
gentleman arose, came towards US, and begged
US to enter and partake of some tea. We glad
ly acceded to his request, and were soon at ease
with our new acquaintances. Small square
tableset lacquered ware about foot and a half
in height and six inches square, were placed on
the right side of the Japanese these supported
cups of tea, sweet. meats cakes, and small lac
uuered bowls of rice and fruit -Four married
ladies sat together one side aud neal them an
old gentleman; opposite sat a young Japanese
officer and two young ladies, one about seven
teen years Of age, the other about twenty the
latter were very pretty. We little dreamed OF
seeing such beauties in this retired spot; their
skins clear and white as that of OircassiaD,
with q healthy blush on their cheeks, and teeth
of pearly lustre Their jet black hair was
brushed from the sides and back of the head, and
fastened in knot OH the top of the head, by a
tiet of pale pink silk. The elder was the pret-
tiest of the two, and the chief object of attrac-
tion to the young officer as he frequently gave
us an opportunity Of observing, By placing an
arm round her waist aud looking lovingly into
her eyes.
She was graceful in all her attitudes, especial.
| " when she took up the guitar at the request
of her lover, and played lew airs for us; but
the music was rather monot0nous and without
harmony at least our dull years could not de-
teot any. She accompanied herself in song,
in ialsetto tone; species of whine, not alto
cether SO discordant as that of the Chinese, yet
merely bearable from its strargeness. The
sister now Joined in duett, one endeavoring to
outshriek the other. Our elder hosts were in
raptures with the performance and they wonder
ct our stolidity; but our ears had beed accus-
toned to the music OF Grisi aud Mario, and could
not endure even the finest japanese singers
Finding the ladies 80 obliging, we prevailed upon
one to play while the other danced The per
lormance was peculiar; she went round the a
partment. as in slow waltz, making graceful
passes with her hands, and humming an air TO
herself, smiling most agreeably, aud bowling to-
wards us as she went round. They were attired
| in richly embroidered silk; loose tunic with
wide sleeves was fastened around the waist by q
broad sash of pale pink; fan was passed
through this, and supporting the back OF each
lady, was tri-cornered fiat board, covered with
part colored silk. The married ladies were
attired in robes OF fabric resembling cashmere
and of q sombre lavender color. After tea they
introduced pipes and some light wine. The Ja-
panese tobacco is very mild and without favor,
so we requested that they would permit us to
light cheroots instead, according to our own Gus
tom. They examined our uniform minutely,
asking the English name of each part OF it, and
pronouncing each word separately after u.s.
1Souson's Voyage to Japan.