Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1860-06-29
From the New American CyclopGdla.
THE JAPANESE.
APPEARANCE AND CHARACTER.

APPEARANCES ASD CHARACTER.
The Japanese arc of middling size, and
generally Of yellow color, though some are
brown and others nearly white. Their eyes
are small, oblong, and deeply sunk in the
head. Their noses are short and thick, and
their hair thick, black, and glossy. The peo-
pie Of rank have generally fair compilations,
and the ladies' who arc not exposed to the sun
have sometimes perfectly white skins and
blooming checks. The men are vigorous and
active, and the women well formed and grace
full, while both sexes exhibit higher degree
of intelligence than is common among Asiatic
nations. in character they are lively and
volatile, quick Of apprehension, daring, adj
venturous frank, liberal, and hospitablc-
They are peculiarly fond of military life, and
make excellent soldiers and sailors. They
learn rapidly, and show great cagcrnsss and
much aptitude for the acquisition of the high
est branches of European knowledge.
Though Industrious, they are eminently
social and pleasure re-seeking people, are fond
Of feasts and frolic, and have frequent national
holidays. Music, dancing, and the theater
are favorite amusements with all classes.
THEIR DRESS.
The ordinary dress of both sexes and of all
ranks is very similar in form, differing chiefly
in the colors, fineness, and value of the ma
tcrials, those of the higher orders being gen.
orally Of silk, and Of the lower orders Of linen
or calico, The dress consists of a number Of
loose, wide gowns worn over each other, with
the family coat of arms woven or worked in
to the back and breast of the outer garment
aud all fastened at the waist by girdle.-
The sleeves are very long and wide, and the
part of the sleeves that hangs below the arm
is made to serve as q 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 worn, together with sort Of trousers call
ed hakkdma. Within doors socks are the
only covering of the feet Shoes arc worn
abroad, Of an awkward and inconvenient
kind, consisting Of soles of straw mating or
Of wood, which, on entering a house are al
ways taken off. Neither men nor women
wear covering on their heads, except occas-
sionally as protection from rain. They
screen their faces from the sun by the fan,
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 middling 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 arc coated with
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
tcrs. Verandas cncircle the house. and to
almost every dwelling, even in the cities, there
| is attached garden. StOrerooms or ware
houses, made firc-proof by copper shutters
and thick coating Of clay, are numerous in
the cities, in which tradcsmen keep their
stock Of goods, and private families their val
liable effects-as pictures, books, &c. Fires
are frequent, and from the combustible ma
turc of the common buildings arc often ter
ribly destructive. Confagrations consuming
thousands Of houses sometimes occur.
| MARRIAGE.
| Polygamy is not permitted, but the power
Of divorce on the part Of the husband is lin
tied only by the requisition that he shall pro-
vide in a suitable manner for the support of
the repudiated wife; though, in case she is
divorced by barrcnness, or for other reasons
recognized by the tribunals as sufficient, she
has no claim upon the husband for maintcn-
ance. Under no circumstances whatever can
wife demand to be separated from her hus-
band. Concubinage and prostitution are
permitted by law, and are not deemed par
ticularly disreputable. The courtesans are
destined to their trade from infancy, and, be-
ing generally well educated and accomplish
ed, are often selected rs wives by rcspecta-
BILE men. The most singular custom among
the women is that Of blackening their teeth,
and shaving or pulling out their eyebrows
when they are married. Married women
also tic their girdles before, and single won.
en- behind.
JAPANESE BATHS.
The Japanese of all classes arc remarkable
cleanly in their houses and persons. They
bathe frequently, and there are many public
bath houses in the towns open to ali comers
for fee generally equal to the eighth Of a
cent, where both sexes bathe together entire.
! ly nude, without, apparently, the slightest
idea of impropriety. In warm weather per.
sons of both sexes may be seen in the prim.
alive condition, bathing themselves in large
4 tubs before the doors Of their houses.
JAPANESE EDUCATION.
Education is almost universal, the poorest
and lowest laborcrs being taught to read and
write. The women are educated with near.
" as much care as the men. The young Ia
dies Of the upper classes spend much of Their
time in the fabrication Of pretty boxes, ar.
tificial flower, pocketbooks, and purses, and
in. the painting Of fans and pictures Of birds
and animals. In fine weather they Join with
tho men in all sorts Of outdoor and rural
arnusements, taking especial delight in fish
ing on the lakes and rivers, in vessels Gle.
/ gantly fitted up and adorned A highly in.
telligent and accomplished Englishman
James Drummond, who resided several years
in Japan, about the beginning Of the century
says: The Japanese are the most facina.
ting, elegant ladies' that ever saw in any
country in the world. Take away a few pecu.
liarities, to which one soon gets accustomed
by living among them, and they would ,al
their first debut be admired at St James, a
in any other court Of Europe"
1 THEIR AGRrcULTuRE.
The agriculture Of the Japanese is conduct
ed with diligence and skill. With the cxccp