The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1876-06-15
Japanese Houses.

1 ~ 49, I@' NIlllIu SlfeS III t21pptttOb
Jo'4T.1qs an interesting account of the
interior of a japanese house;
;Neatness and simplicity are the char
acteristlcs of the people of the Mikado's
empire. Paint is rarely used on the
woodwork, the delicate grain and fra
| graneeG of the native woods being too
highly appreciated. After a months
residence in Japan one wonders why we
spoil 70 much beauty by smearing il
over with oil pigments. ef
Ihe hoor is laid with tdtdmi of rice
stray two inches thick, made into mats
tsix feet long and bound by an inch bor-
der black cloth. The face of the mat
is OF ne, smooth grass, like that in our
best batting Being so closely laid,
the tasr reminds one of a. colossal
chess R0ard. The joints are so tight
that there are, no drafts; and the air at
the floor Is Of a singularly warm temper
.aturesl The ceiling is of thin boards of
wood, gfsnsti like watered silk, cross
eds.by black, Iaequered strips of wood,
meersehaum, OF colored bamboo. PlaS-
ter on the ceiling is decidedly unpopu-
lar on account of earthquakes. ~
In the kitchen the smoke wanders out
at its own sweet will. Charcoal, which
is used for warmth, is smokeless and
odorless. One would suppose the use
of this fuel tovbe dangerous, but, though
I-efteni inquired, never heard of a ma
tive losing mis- life by it. The openness
of the houses prevents i'll effects.
In summer Japanese house makes
"a pleasant dwelling place; in the cold
winter it issimply abominable. Though
Uncomfortable to a foreigner, these
houses are less so to a Japanese. As
thelcOld weather increases the natives
put on additional layers of clothing,
like skins to an onion, until they have
as many as four, six or even eight thick
nesses of clothing. With their padded
combining the heat of their
bodies as they sit in their kneeling fash
ion on the thick mats, they need warmth
only on their hands, which the handful
of Goals easily yields.
OF FURNITURE. -.... .
In one sense of the word, there is in
a Japanese house almost none. The
casual visitor sees no sofa, chairs,
tables, stoves, curtains, or hat-rack.
In the parlor, or room for receiving
guests, are seen in the tOE018OnlG, or
raised space, handsome sword-rack,
flower-vases, bronzes, or laquered ware.
In the ladies' chamber will be found
bureaus, mirrors or toilet stands,
needlework- boxes, cabinets, racks for
dresses, but all these are Liliputian in
size, and it may be seen at glance that
they are to. be used when kneeling or
sitting on the floor. The fact that every
thing is done on the floor explains in
great part why the japanese are so
courtly and ceremonial in their customs.
What is bedchamber at night is usual
ly put to some other use during the
day. Bed time comes, the sliding-door
closets are opened, and the bedclothes
brought in. One or two quilts are laid
on the floor. Near the upper end is
laid the pillow-a block of wood with
small pad. The paper pillow-case, in
well kept houses, is renewed every day.
An enormous and thickly padded loose
coat, made of silk, or cotton, is laid on
the top, and fits nicely to the body.
This is the covering. On
this sort of couch all
japanese have slept since time imme-
mortal. Among a few of the richest
families the beddiHgis of silk. With the
great mass of people it is of the usual
rk-blue, quilted, cotton-clOth. The
object of the japanese pillow is, evil
IDENTIFY, so TO rest the head as not to dis
arrange the coiffure. With the woman
this is matter of Importance, since it
usually requires an hour or two for the
work of arranging her hair. Hence the
priest, whose head is shorn, does not
use a pillow of the usual kind, but a
more luxurious one made round, and
resembling one like ours, though much
smaller. This is called the b0zu-nlaburd,
or priests'pillow. In Japanese hotel
1 always called for one of the latter pat
tern.
MOSQUITO NETS.
In summer, when the mosquitoes
make their appearance (for Japan is
equally favored with the rest of the
world with these pests), mOsquito-nets
are found in every household that can
afford them. The Japanese netting is
good and strong, though rather coarse.
1t is mostly pink or green. When a
japanese widow chooses to consider it
leap-year, and wishes to secure part
ner, she simply hints to favored suitOr
that her mOsquitO-net is too large.
THE EATING ARRANGEMENTS
of the Japanese correspond to their
sleeping and visiting. 1t is all done on
the floor In family, or party, a little
table is set before each person. This
table is from four to six inches high,
and about a foot broad, having raised
edge of one inch high. On this are laid
four covered bowls, a little dish of
pickles or sauce, and at the right-hand
side pair of chopsticks wrapped in
white paper, or in the case belonging
to each person, which has his name
written on it. The rice-cup is of pOr-
celain; the others are usually of lac
quered wood. The rice is attacked
first. The maid servant sits in the
midst of the circle, in charge of the
wooden bucket of rice, and replenishes
each cup as it is emptied,. receiving it
on her lacquered tray, and passing it
with a bow. She is also in charge OF
the teapot, for many like to have cha
(the original'of our word tea) poured
over their bowls of rice. a
.. CHoPsTICKs.
1t is wonderful what may be done
with chopsticks. Even the little baby
can use them; and / have seen fish most
dexterously carved and served with two
sticks; and soup can be eaten with
them-provided it is not too thin. A
new guest always has a new pair OF
sticks, usually in the form of one piece
of fresh, clean wood, partly split, Sc
that he can finish the process himself
and, byImaking two sticks OF one,prove
that it has not yet been used. @
JAPANESE DIET
is almost entirely vegetable. Boiled
etbree times day, eaten plain, with
out sugar or raisins, with nothing upor
it but salt, is the staple food OF the
masses of the people. In many parts
hof the country, rice is rare luxury
famong the laboring classes, who sub
sist on millet. All kinds of fish are eat
en-. Wheat is used almost exclusivel,
in the form of yermicelli and macaroni
and in sort of boiled cake. Buckwhea
is employed chiefly as pastry, to cove
/ a paste made of beans and sugar, or