Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1872-01-18
Tho Japnnose.

The San Francisco Bulletin thus de-
scribes the appearance Of the Japanese
Embassy and attaches on their arrival
at that city the other day, on board
tho steamship America:
The scene on the promenade deck
was novel. interesting and instructive.
The Minister Of State, Iwakura, q tall
man for a Japanese, wore q national
costume Of rich figured silk, ofa deep
blue color, his two swords barely. In
sight. The costume Is Of a similar
style to that worn by other Japanese
who have been here, though Of much
finer texture. The most striking fea-
ture OF his costume Is u queer head
dress, evidently composed Of wood,
painted black, glazed and ornamented
with beads. It Is shaped like a large,
fiat, empty portmanteau. and being set
upon tho top of his head gives him a
martial appearance. This headgear
may be likencd unto All abbreviated
helmet. 1t forms a striking contrast
to the object upon which 1t Is located,
the latter being sparsely covered with
hair. Iwakura has II good, substantial
head, with strong individuality marked
In his features, and gives the hand q
cordial grasp when introduced to q
stranger. Standing upon the deck
this morning, the cynosure Of all eyes,
lie was not In the least Disconnected,
and never lost his presence Of mind
not even In the presence OF ladies.
Our mission consisted OF Mr.. and Mrs.
belong and u little belong, recently
born IN Japan-a family party. After
meeting with this little group, the la
dies and gentlemen who were exchang-
Ing courtcslos with the Embassy, felt
entirely ut their ease. Mrs. belong
was pleasant aud aGable, and with
charming grace assisted her husband
In doing tho honors Of the occasion.
The first evidence Of civilization
among the Japanese, Is their clothing,
which Is constructed like What Cheer
House meals, OH the European plan
ample In quantity. As o o as the ia
panese leaves his native country he
llscards tho costume Of his forefathers
and dresses In American n English
style, that Is, he tries to do 1t, and
sometimes succeeds. Some OF tile ia
panese gentlemen on the steamer
looked stylish In their broadcloth suits,
while others looked awkward aud
homely. All were happy. Among the
students were many lads, ranging from
eight to twenty years, and any II OF
them would compare fnvorably with
the average young American upon a
"snap" standard. Judging from the
appearance of the little fellows, Japan
Is not a good place to buy fashionable
custom clothing for youths. Some OF
tho suits were Ourtalled by lnjudiclous
tallors, who seem to have simply cut
OF enough cloth to allow the Jap to
Use his hands and keep his brooches off
the ground. In one Instance Il Ind OF
about nine years wore n pair OF light
colOred striped pants, a broad-brimmed
felt hat and a long-backed frock coat.
This coat, which was evidently the
niece de resistance Of the costume, had
tails some three inches in length, with
three largo brass buttons on each tail.
Altogether, this noble scion Of q
noble race cut q grotesQue figure.
Visitors were surprised to find several
japanese females on the steamer.
Three Of the young ladies were ele-
gantly dressed, according to the tradl-
tons of the country, and one OF the
party was decidedly pretty. There
were three others, young girls, who
were neatly but not SO richly dressed.
The gowns were made Of p~arti-colored
silk, of fine texture, and, though a
trlhe gaudy, seemed appropriate as
worn. Hitherto females OF noble blood
have not been allowed to leave tho
country except under extraordinary
circumstances. The young ladies will
be forwarded to Vassar College, Pough-
keepsie. n. Y, there to receive a thor
ougli education. 1t Is proposed, not
only to teach the young Indies out Of
books. but also to instruct them in the
manners and customs Of the beat young
ladies In the land. The beyy Of Jap
anesc beauties Is under the protection
Of Mrs. DE Long.