The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1873-03-26
Japan.
Trkox orR Own ookREsroSDESrl
49, 80 100

tory bot family reached even the most advanced
minds Of japan. has nos assumed vigOr and q
refreshing in6oenee scarcely anticipated by the
most sangnioe watchers Of japanese events, The
country is nov iairly under the refining inaueaee
Of extended relations with the world. That the
Japanese intellect Is capable Of fair cultivation and
expansion Is clearly shown; bat while the ex-
treme yoaihfulneSs Of their foreign intercourse
checks their approach to that rank in the comfy
can give as the fruits Of their high sndeavOrs it
is not surprising that they frequently glide iHio
serious errors are often too enthusiastic in their
plans for advancement are sometimes the dupes
Of crafty aud unprineipled advisers witness the
case OF the Nara Luzl and Ofhee-seekers; or are
losers by the engagement Of unreliable or iueOm,
petent foreigners in their lsudable endeavOrs to
execute extensive public works; or that they are
occasionally desPoile hss,y uncertain, or simple
in their Interference in the domestic concerns OF
the people.
Que important sign of the progress Of Japan
is eylneed by the more frequent audiences given
by the Emperor aud Empress 10 Foreign Repre-
sentaiives and Others. On the 10Th lest. Mrs
De Long and Mrs. DE Ba,zow. accompanied by
Mr., De Long, American Minister and Mr.. De
BatEoW, Russian Charge d ifdirsS visited their
Imperial Majesties at Toxic lYedol. Congratu-
latory speeches were exchanged, the Mikado ac-
+ kuowlelging the attention shown the members Of
/ the japanese Embassy by the people Of the
I United States as being exceedingly gratifying.
4 Your readers are doubtless aware that the cere-
mouial opening Of the railSay through to Yedo
came oT satisfactorily on the l4,h Of October. the
NikadO being the Observed of all Observers.
Passenger traffic has been going on since without
accident. No goods trains are run yet 1t has
been estimated that IS per cent Of the earnings
deIray the running expenses. though this may
reasonably be considered a Sigh. exaggeration.
The Kobe, Osaka and EIO,o Railway is also pro-
crossing steadily from each end. The telegraph
between Yokohama, Kobe and NagaSs,ki is in
operation bat owing to the limited staff Of for
eiguers engaged. ana the inexperence of native
employees. the Government does not hold itself
responsible for errors in the transmission of mes.
sageS, Gas lights now shed CLEAN Of brightness
over the best portion OF the native town. ard
pipes are already laid 10 the most important
thoroughiares of the foreign settlement A con-
mittee of foreign residents has been appointed to
discuss the best plan for raising regularly and
surely funds for lighting the streets. The Gov
eminent supply the lamp-posts.
The New Year dawned upon Japan with more
than usual interest, and not only were customary
festivities observed by foreigners, but the native
Lunar CsleEdsr was made synonymous with the
European computation of time. and the New
Year celebrated alike by foreigners and japanese.
This change, however, proved rather objection
able to some, as it called for the settlement Of
annual accounts about month earlier than ordi-
uariy, and as the innovation came upon the IA
ton very suddenly, the poor people could scarcely
manage TO scare up" their holiday attire and
thus the Government ran a great risk Of adding
largely to the number Of broken hearts from
bevies Of the fair sex who were just gliding into
wouauly beauty. and who dreaded to lose an
opportunity OF disportiug with their frieud<-not
to speak Of the numerous members Of young
Japan, who ut this merry time. with sbuttlecocks
and battiedores, swarm about the streets in u
manner which speaks well for branch, at least,
Of native industry. Besides this there we're
other innovations some of them still less happy
in their results generally, however pleasing to
those who delight ia the march Of progress, 1t
notified to all officials that the use Of tsssFuis
thick mats would no longer be permitted in any
Government Office that the hair must be worn
a "a tgjiH; that they must affect Western attire
(Which ia many Instances they have done with
most oomical efeei.l ami that chars and tables
would be introduced. So far, there was nothing |
very hurtiul TO the'feelings of animated Japan
bat when these orders were understood to extend |
to the people generally they not unnaturaIIy ex-
cited good deal of indignation. But there has /
been obvious Misrepresentation 90 this point, as
the regulations were not compulsory except in /
relation 10 officials. Nevertheless, many jap /
anese with foreign associations. and who have /
been Affected was nearly writing ar1fictsd-by I
u love for foreign customs. reconcile themselves /
with facility TO these new rules. and during the 4
recent merry makings, greater variety of shapes /
in their shaver craninms was presented to tae /
astOuished gaze OF foreigners in japan than was 1
ever before witnessed while their anomalous /
costumes exhibited a degree Of amateur tailoring /
and absence of e. or taste that would defy Imita-
iion IN any other quarter of the globe. Maids
and mothers. too, were advised to dispense With
the aid Of hair-dressers, aud with the elaborate
head-dress which has hitherto occupied, the
Government thinks too much Of the time that
should be devoted to more laudable pursuits
and to arrange their hair in the style Of fUreigu
ladies' bat doubt havln ariseng in some Of their
minds as to what particular style is suggested,
and not having hair enough to make chigEoH,
they still patrouize the har-dressers. Many other
changes have been iDaugurated some Of which
may speak Of in future letters. While on this
subject it may be wondered why married women
are not prohibited from backing their teeth and
plucklng out III .ir eyebrows. 1t really reflects
upon the gaIlantry Of their husbands to neglect
improvement 10 this matter. The fair adorners
Of Niphon have sufficient appreciation OF beauty
to reIinquish this practice, it not desired by
their lords and masters. So.