Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-05-14
yapaneke L. dnstrH
from the New York Express


The Japanese are an industrious and inge-
NOUS people Nearly all the useful metals
are worked by them with great skill, especial
ly iron, copper, gold, and silver; and tn pos
sess an art in the combination of metals for
beauty and effect unknown to other people.
Their sword blades are admirable. They also
manufacture astronomical instruments, and
clocks and watches, which are copied after
European models, probably introduced by the
Dutch. Their mirrors are metallic, and very
beautiful. Their carpenters and cabinet
makers tools are also equal to any Of Euro
pean manufacture. They are said to be very
quick N observing any improvement intro
duced by foreigners, make themselves masters
of 1T, and copy it with skill and exactness.
Their coinage is well stamped, as they are
GOOD dle-sinkers. In wood, no people work
better, and in lacqueripg they excel the world.
Other nations have attempted in vain to imi-
tate and equal them, owing chiefly to the ma
terial necessary in preparing the wood, which
Is the gum of tree known only to themselves.
called the varniSh tree
Occasionally specimens of their LACQUER work.
through the Dutch residents Of Dezlma, have
found their way to this country; but it is said
the best samples are never sent out Of the
kingdom. They manufacture glass, both col
ored and uncOlored and their porcelain is
both delicate and beautiful beyond all rivalry.
Paper they produce in abundance and princi-
pslly from the bark of the mulberry tree. 1t
Is OF different qualities and some of il is as soft
and flexible as our cotton cloth, for which it
might be mistaken, and is used for handker-
chiefs and other domestic wants They make
silk, the best of which is superior TO that of
China, and Is said to be woven by criminals of
nigh rank, who are confined upon a small nm
productive island, deprived of their property,
and made to support themselves by their labor.
Ihe expectation of these silks, it is said is pro-
hibited
As a substitute for cotton cloths. as before
remarked, III the manufacture of which they
have little skill, use their coarse, spongy pa
per, which is quite as useful and durable AS
they have no sheep or goats, the manufacture
Oh woollens is unknown among them. Very lit
tie leather is produced in Japan owing To the
Buddhist superstition referred to in a former
article, which makes those manufacturing or
vending it outcasts from the rest of the popu-
Iatlon. 1t is never used for shoes or other COW
eringsfOr the feet, such being made from plated
straw, for the lower classes: the nobility and
dlgnltarles wear slippers made of fine rattan
slips, neatly plated. The ragged appearance
OF their feet frequently affords ridiculous
contrast to the splendOr and richness of the
otner portions OF their picturesque costume.
we have alluded to the ingenuity of the Jap
anese: take the following as an example in
ciock-maklng 1t is the account of one given
by former Governor Dutch of Dezima, a
small island appropriated to the Dutch Com.
"'ny, and to which they are exclusively con-
fin ii.
e The clock is contained in frame three
feet high, by five feet long, and presents fair
landscape at nOontide. Plum and cherry treey
In full blossom, with other plants, adOrn the
foreground. The background consists of a
hlll, from which falls cascade skiIfully imi-
tated in glass, that forms a softly flowing river
hrst winding around rocks placed here and
there, then running across the middle Of the
landscape till lost in n wood Of fir trees A
golden sun hangs alOft in the sky, and, turning
upon point, indicates the striking Of the
hours. On the frame below, the twelve hours
OF the day and night are marked, where a
slowly creeping tortoise serves as a hand A
bird, perched upon the branch of a plum tree.
by Its song and the clappiDg of its wings an
nOunces the moment when the hour expires.
and rs the song ceases a bell is heard to strike
the hour, during which operation a mouse
comes out Of grOttO and runs over the hill -