The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1871-10-05
Social Customs of the Japanese.

The Yokohama correspondent of Virginia
CITY (NeY.) Enterprise gives the following
sketch of polite society and its customs among
the japanese:
I do not know how can better illustrate the
inside of select society here than to relate the
occurrences of dinner party given by the
head commercial agent of one of the most
powerful princes to prominent foreign plenl-
potentiary and some invited guests. Proceed
ing to the commercial buildings, we met there
our host and retinue of retainers, ready for
fun, frolic or fighting, as the humor of their
| lord might determine. At the quay lay mag
ni6cent barge for the use of our party, and
seating ourselves oriental fashion, In short
time were propelled four miles up the river to
magnificent tea. house, where numerous as
semblage awaited our coming. Upon allghtlng
we were greeted with cordial welcome and es-
1.-The reception and entertainment, room, where
I'VE found actors jpgglers, musicians, and at
lleast fifty dark-eyed singing girls; instructed to
minister to the wants or amusement of the
guests. After. brief prelude from their or
lIchestra, the troupe of jugglers appeared before
l,us and performed countless feats of legerde-
main with dexterity surprising to us all The
l!most peculiar and artistic feat was called the
Ii"Maeic Butterfly" and as I had seen the trick
lIattemptei by japanese and Chinese at home,
1.-THE surprising neatness and skill of the grave
and serious looking performer provoked my
l!warmest admiration. Indeed, the science OF
| this fellow as far exceeded the weak attempts L
had before witnessed as the wondrous dramatic
Representations of Hon. Bob Lowery or George
ICain, Esq, did the stale eloquence of Forrest,
/ Booth or Mexican Buchanan. The artist took
lipieces of silk gauze and made them into imita-
IN toh no
|some bouquets of flowers, and his preparations
were complete. Stepping back q few PAGES, he
lIunfolded fan, and instantly the air was filled
llwith the automaton insects. Slowly waved
1.-THE air-endowed wand, and while some of the
butterflies circled around and above his head,
Others sought the carnation buds of the bou-
quets, fingered lovingly on each bright bios
som an instant, grouped on large rose, fut-
tered as in fight, and at last, at gentle motion
| of the master, flew to his side and were slowly
gathered together. It was simply astonishing,
| and as the wine circulated, actors displayed
their merits, young girls touched the national
guitar with tender melody, national and war
songs were chanted. Fireworks of exceeding
beauty cleaned in the entwining foliage, at least
two score of lovely young girls swayed hither
and thither in the voluptuous dance of their
clan, and, in brief, we were entertained in a
II style Iar exceeding Inat vi any previous ieaSU
which it had been my good fortune to attend:
As the sparkling wine relaxed the sociability of
our keen-eyed host, he asked the interpreter to
/ inquire of the minister which one of the girls
he deemed the loyeliest. The question was a
delicate one, and the diplomat hesitated but
On being pressed he pointed out tall, 1.-the,
| graceful girl, whose eyes, shaded by dropping
fashes, disclosed occasionally flashes of light
ming fervor, and whose carnation lips, faultiess
features and ill concealed bust would have
thrilled an iceberg. "She is yours p cried the
Yakonin. Advance to your master ~ In
stantly, with face dyed with crimson, she ad-
yanced to the seat of the minister. prostrated
Lher beautiful face to the mating, andknelt, his
willing slave.
I'VE were all filled with astonishment, as this
episode unfolded curious and move! phase OF
Japanese life. Upon being questioned the host
said it was usual to make such gifts to honored
friends; that the next day he should visit the
parents of the girl, pay them two or three hun
dred rios Ia rio is one dollar and six cents,
gold,) secure her future clothing and food, and
all was well. So that, whether the girl be
taken as concubine or as a servant, it was all
that was required. De Long, of course, de-
clined the beautiful gift, with many expressions
of thanks.