New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-06-16
THE JAPANESE.


deeny sunk in the head. Their noses are short and
thick and their hair thick, black, and glossy Inc
reople of rank have generally fair eompiexIens ana
The ladies who are not exposed TO the sun have some
times perfectly white skins and blooming cheeks. Inc
men are vigorous and active, and the women Wen
formed and graceful, while both sexes exhibit higner
degree of intelligence than is common among Asa,e
nations. In character they are lively and volatile,
quick Of apprehension, daring, adventurous, frank,
liberal, and hospitable. They peculiarly fond OF
military life and make excellent soldiers and sailors
They learn rapidly, and show great eagerness and
much aptitude for the acquisition OF the highest
branches of European knowledge.
Though industrious, they eminently a social and
people, fond Of teass aud frohc
and have frequent national holidays. Music, dancing
and the theater are favorite anusements with all
classes.
JAPANESE yUGGLERs
l[ummers, mountebanks, tumblers, conurers, and all
manner of juggers are seen in the streets Of the cities
and are highly popular with the people,. Their Jug
qlers surpass those Of all other countries. Among
other wonderful feas that which has especially aston
alton from pieces of tissue paper of artificial butterflies
which, guided by the motions Of fan, ny about, ad-
vance, retreat appear TO sip the honey from flowers,
and display all the ars and graces OF real butterflies.
JAPANESE EDUCATION.
Education is almost universal the poorest and lowest
laborers being taught TO read and write. The women
are educated with nearly "a much care az the men.
The young ladies of the upper classes spend much OF
their time in the fabrication of pretty boxes arciai
flowers pocketbooks, and purses, and IN the painting
of fans and pictures of birds and animals. In fine
weather they join with the in all sorts Of outdoor
and rural amusements taking especial delight in fish
ing the lakes and rivers in vessels elegantly fitted
up and adorned. highly intelligent and accomplished
EnQliehman, James Drummond who resided several
wears in Japan, about the beginning of this century,
saws 1.-The Japanese the most fascinating, elegant
ladies' that ever in any country in the world
Take away few peeuarities, to which one soon gets
accustomed by living among them and they would at
their fret debut be admired at st. Jamess or IN any
other court of Europe"
The japanese gentleman il invariably described as
person Of pleasing address and most polished manners
Even the commonest people are neat in their persons
and scrupuousy observant Of the forms OF poteness
The rules that govern social intercourse formed into
a regular system, and published in books, which are
diligently studied at school, Tea is universal beyer-
age, and smoking is general among the men. In q
morning call pipes and served TO the guests as
regularly as pipes and coffee among the Turks. At
the conclusion of the visit sweemeas are handed TO the
visitor on sheet Of white paper ornamented with tim
sell these are eaten with chopeticks and if the guest
does the whole he or she is expected to fold up
the remainder in the paper and carry II away. AZ
grand dinners each guest is expected to take with him
servant or two TO carry off in baskets the remnants
of the banquet. Fish is general article of diet, and
is varied with game, ven,son, poultry, ana all sorts OF
eaten out of light lacquered bowls and dishes made Of
papier maehe Feasis are followed by music and dan
eng and are commonly closed by drinking tea, and
spirit called sdckee Ii is the custom on the completion
Of new dwelling houee 10 give house warming, for
which purpose the neighbor and friends of the master
Of the new house send him liberal presents of eatabes
and drinkables
THEIR DRESS.
The ordinary dress Of both and of all ranks is
very similar in FORM differing chiefly in the coloIs
nenese and value OF the materials those OF the higher
orders being generally of silk, and of the lower
ders of linen calico. The dress consists Of number
of loose, wide gowns worn over each other, with the
family coat of arms woven or worked into the back
and breast Of the outer garment and all fastened at
the waist by grdle. The sleeves are very long and
WIDE and the part of the sleeve that hangs below the
arm is made to serve as pocket. The women usually
wear brighter colors than the men, and border their
robes with gay embroidery or gold. Upon OCCASIONS
Of full dress cloak is worm together with sort OF
trousers called hakkama. Within doors socks are the
only covering Of the feet Shoes are worn abroad of
an awkward and announcement kind consisting of soles
of straw mating of wood which, entering
house, are always taken off. Neither men nor women
any covering on their heads except occasionally
as protection from rain. They screen their faces
from the by the fam which is carried by all classes
by ladies' priests, soldiers and beggars The greatest
popularity Of japanese costume, however is the sword
the wearing of which is mark of rank; it is strictly
prohibited TO the lower orders The middlng classes
carry one, and the higher ranks two swords which
are worn on the same side, one above another.
THEIR HOUSES.
The houses Of the Japanese are low, and built of
wood The walls coated with a cement that gives
them the appearance OF stone. In the windows the
place of glass is supplied by very fine strong paper
which is protected from rain by external wooden shut
tes VeraDdas encrcle the houses and almost every
dwelling, even in the cities, there is attached garden
Sorerooms or warehouses; made iire-proof by copper
shutters and thick coating of clay, are numerous in
the cities, in which radesmen keep their stock of goods
and private families their valuable eects-as pictures
books DC. Fires are frequent and from the combust
ible nature OF the common buildings often terribly
destructive. Confagrations consuming thousands Of
houses sometimes occur
MARRIAGE.
Polygamy is not permitted, but the power of divorce
the part Of the husband is limited only by the requ
stlon that he shall provide in suitable manner for the
support Of the repudated wife; though, in she is
divorced by barennes for other reasons recognized
by the tribunals sufficient, she has claim upon the
husband for maintenance. Under no circumstances
whatever can wife demand to be separated from her
husband. Concubnage and prostitution are permitted
by law, and not deemed particularly dsreputabe
The eourtesans destined to theirtrde from infancy
and being generally well educated and accomplished,
are often selected as wives by respectable men. The
most singular custom among the women is that of
blackening their teeth, and shaving pulling out their
eyebrows when they are married. Married women
also tie their grdes before, and single women behind
JAPANESE BATHS.
The Japanese of all classes are remarkably cleanly
in their houses and persons. They battle frequently
and there are many public bath houses in the towns
open TO all corners Tor fee generally equal 10 the eighth
OF cent where both sexes battle together entirely
nude, without, apparently, the slightest idea of impro
priety. In warm weather persons of both sexes may
be seen In the primitive condition, bathing themselves
in large tubs before the doors of their houses.
THEIR PROPENSITY TO SUICIDE.
Suicide IL very common and is generally committed
by cutting open the bowels by two gashes in the shape
Of a crofs 1t is tolerated If not in some cases an
proved by the laws. The criminal who thus antici-
pates execution the public sympathy and ap-
pnse saving bis property from confscation and his
family from disgrace Upon the death of superors or
MASTERS suicide If often committed mark of per-
EOnal dey0i0n and Attachment IL ala cora.,oa o.