Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1872-05-22
THE JAPANESE an sCBOOT.

Within the past twelve months,
nearly seven hundred Japanese have
arrived in the United States.
/ They have come to this country, not
as euriosIties to be gazed at, not on q
tour Of pleasure, but as earnest stu
dents OF our language, customs and
arts. They have been chosen by the
rulers Of Japan from the nobility and
common classes, according to their
intelligence and mental ealibre, and
have been sent to America to be edu-
Gated. After certain length of time
they are to return to Japan, and i'm
part the knowledge which they have
gained to others The expenses of
all are to be paid by the Government
of Japan, except in few cases where
the parties are wealthy.
America is gress school to the
Japanese. They appear to be study
ing all things-Oar manners, customs.
arts and sienees, with the greatest
eagerness and interest. sSL
They fully realize etheinsignificanee
of their own country when compared
with this, and talk q great deal of the
advancement of Japan since she hes
had commerce with other nations.
The Japanese, since their arrival
here, have put aside their loose trow-
sers and wooden shoes, and have adop-
ted our style of dress. What appears
to cost them the most regret, is the
parting with the cue worn ea their
head This cue is arranged in a yery
peculiar manner. Just below the
crown Of the head a round place, about
i've inches in circumference, is shaved:
the hair, which is permitted to grow
six inches in length, is drawn up
over the bare spot, and tied tightly
with cord, then left hanging, Most
OF the japanese have their hair cut
short, and are wearing it as our citi-
Zsns do theirs; but this bare spot has
to grow out, and it looks very awk-
ward to their black heads with the
round white spot behind.
The Japenese among rs are verv
eleanly, and are gentlemen in all their
habits. They spend their money
freely, and everything they buy is
the best of its kind. They dress in
remarkably good taste, and seem to
acquire the little eleganeies Of the
toilet very soon after their arrival
here. They are more at ease in the
costume OF their own country, how
ever, and after retiring to their rooms
they usually don their familiar gar
ments to lounge and smoke in.
1t IS hard work for the Japanese to
go up and down stairs, as a stair case
in japan is not often If ever seen. In
ascending, they put their heels down
tirst, and hold on the railing. as if
they were in danger. They stamp,
and stumble. and pitch. and 'isieh a
Citing up stairs 1 never did see.lil
Chairs are unknown in Japan; there
fore, 1t is very awkward perfor-
nance for the Japanese to sit down
and arise from these articles of f1r-
niture. They take hold Of the seat
with both hands when getting uD.
and, when about to sit down, their
faces express an uncertainty OfbeiDr
able to keep their balance.
The japanese are scattered all over
our country, and are in numbers from
fifteen to twenty, at different schools.
There are some in New BrunsWicic,
n. J., and large number in The
schools around Boston. They a.e
making wonderful progress in the
study Of our language. They are at
tentive and industrious pupils. They
have great difficulty in pronouncing
the land theT-, &c Is ainlost fu1nfissi-
BILE for them to say let, and lie, etc
The mental calibre of the Japanese
that are here has been fairly tested
They may be naturally fine IingCists.
and yet dull and lacking in brain
power when they apply themselves
to other studies Time will tell. As
1t IS, they are making friends by their
courteous manners and evident dig
nifty Of character. May their soiourn
here be productive Of the greatest ad-
vantage to tothemselves and the eoun-
Ne1Cs.