New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-05-26

Tor tnt Jal"'DoD "s ctehT III vi uirttit Wy o'b'"
what garrulous Yankee would need FIVE minutes To
explain in word. Tie sirooko IL poured into large
cups, and ec,oal quantities Of sugar are mixed by
means Of wooden wand consecraed TO this particu-
lar duty. Hot water rednces the compound TO thin
PASTE, after which il is ready for reception III the
human mouth. To the japanese appetite, 1t appeals
with much sw eetness 10 the unuorcd American pal
ate it falls short of the expectation aroused by i's eo
CRATE incarnation. A semi.Inouhful satisfies all my
desire bx il must not be said that bring grief to the
generous hearts Of my entertainers by rejecting 'neir
Offering upon any such insufficient ground as that
find it simply intolerable. swallow ALL with gravity
and after fnishng exclaim, a" AIi-atta THE only
japanese phrase in which ain perfect, and Of winch
am very proud. 1t signifies, 81 thank you, and
have chosen IT for my first study because have found
that the one English sentence which all the highbred
foreigners have mastered is to the same effect The
satisfaction that my friends show at hndlng ap-
uroye at least in words their little decacy, serves 10
drive away the slight discomfort | endure.
Wheeling into the center of the room new and
heavier chest Ishekawa Lifts the lid, and exposes 70
view rows of long bottles, which he regards with gs'
tenng eye. Clutcbing tho neck OF one nc whiris IL
from its place. holds il second poised IN air, then
making free the neck pOurs out in cups more decae
than all the others teaspOonfu or two OF clear red
Eauor This is the " Saki," or wine Of the japanese.
With fitting seriousness the saki rises, approaches
the several mouths, and disappears 1t well relieves
tie remembrance of the recent srooko for its pungent
spice and gentle sweetness very
fayorably even to American senses. In more SINGER
ity, this is declared a tranquilizing and cheering
:.
draRt The saki bottle is restored 10 It's resting
pace-for intemperance is feature OF CIVILIZATION
which the japanese have not, among themselves, at
tanned o-and all parties settling themselves for smiles
and tea tobacco occasionally taking part in the pro-
ceedings now find it easier to look with fair appreci-
alton upon the curious and interesting scene around me.
Just opposite sits Moroota Okatoro, humanity beam
ing fro bis eyes, smoke issuing from his nosrls, the
result of the internal fumgation practiced by all who
truly value japanese tobacco His rich trousers ex-
papd like folds of feminine raiment, and shine with
uster surprising even the brightest that French silk
can show. Lifted few inches from the floor, they
disclose neaty-sandaled feet with sken footcoyerngs
of finest texture, half gaiter, half stocking His robes
of light blue Grape float and swell like the thin smoke
that surrounds them. In his belt reposes always the
short sword of dignity, which proves the wearer's
noble rank. fnd however, that this weapon IL not
always nseparably connected with the idea OF hdra-
kiruh TIARA the stomach, kruh, to cut OPEN as has
been supposed The ordinary short sword is worn for
ufe in cases of close fighting. The disembOweling
knife which is even less in length than the second
sword usually worn is in the possession Of the higher
officers but not so generally displayed. 1t is disn
guished by the absence of guard upon the handle,
showing that it intended for private application, and
not pnblc attack. The hara-kruh sword gives its
owner tie right TO vindcate bis honor, if called
upon, by opening his bowels crosswise, and letting out
his life in the least comfortable to be imagined.
Servants, whose amount of honor is supposed to be
cannot possess this sword and are,
moreover, forbidden the privilege Of making away
with themselves, which is special prerogative of the
nobility. Considering their eminent distinction, these
weapons SEEM to the unfamiliar mind, be somewhat
degraded by association with steel chop-sticks and
uttaran knives, which carried in side cavities of
same scabbard; but the japanese do not see it in
that light Sometimes, instead of chOp-sticks, pecu-
liar weapon of STEEL about six inches long and sharp
ened at the end is concealed in the scabbard When
used it first laid fiat upon the right hand the point
toward the holder, and then flung through the air,
urning in it's course as to pierce the object at
which it is aimed.
All around Moroota's room are javelns, helmets of
brass, long swords, some hanging from elevations,
Cmo lying chairs floor, all in scabbards of most
ingenious adornment. The swords themselves are of
steel superior TO any other known, and the best of
hem can cut through bolt of iron or an inferior
WORD without turning the edge. The handles arc
Maid with precious stones, and bound around with
lk cord. The seabbards are of thick skim profusely
covered with colored lacker and sprnkled with gold
iust and mother-of-pearl.
From the open mouths of many boxes are gushing
'aried robes of shining silk, fans, hats sandals hand
ercbiefs, confectionery, coored prints, porcelain
pes, lackerware, and all that most strange to
ur sight The aspect of the room is wholly japanese
the manners japanese, and the language. Whatever
etide, the sound of other accent must not intrude
lose by my side sits Tsokahara Jougoro who reads
lord from an open fan passages Of Oriental p>etry
written, think, by himself. His tones fall unsteady,
Or the Japanese is soft and smooth us any language
'sokaTa, too has melody in bis voice. lie notable
eneman in the embassy. His rank is high already, |
ut his youth-he is only neutrality-suspicious. his
resent assumption of the eminence of station TO which
will soon be entitled. His birth is equal to that of
he principal ambassadors. lie has talent wealth, and
God looks. PROFESSIONALLY, he is the han isomest
lan in the embassy and think, as glance at him
ow notwithstanding his eccentric pose--feet upon
hairs and knees saluting nosehat his superiors ia
ersonal appearance not numerous in this land
In the midst Of all this quiet comfort enters, with
lessage,
"ToAsY"
This changes all thought of gravity to irrepressble
ayety. With Tommy near, sobriety departs
his is the Young interpreter Tataiesi Onasero) who
virtue Of absolute recklesness and purely Amer-
an spirit of deviry, has won the jolly nickname in
Which he much reoices. Coming now, in presence of