Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1876-07-27

Respectfully,
LOUIS BAER.
Correspondence Gallipolis Journal.
Exposition Topics.
PHILADELPHIA, july 20, 1876.
Next door to the Chinese neigh
bors is the large and bewildering ex
hibit of Japan. The FLAPS" have
been very enterprising, and hav,
kept an eye open to the main
chance. Their officials. who unlike
the Chinese, have adopted our cos
tune and nearly all speak English
and are very polite and always ready
to give information, are kept busy ia
the capacity of statesmen, and the
red cards inscribed purchased by
are more frequent in their depart
ment than in any other At the en-
trance to the display are two large,
slightly raised platforms. The first
is devoted to bronzes, and here are to
be seen marvellous specimens OF
bronze work, plain and inlaid with
gold and silver. The japanese, like
the Chinese, have fondness for the
monstrous and grotesque, and their
artists delight in representing drag
ons, griifins, hIppogrifs, and varie-
ty OF nameless and undescribeable
creatures. They coil about vases,
and peep over the edge, lnrk in the
rocks of the base, and disport them
selves in very free and easy man.
ner generally. The Japanese artists
or artisans, draw upon all the natur-
al kingdoms for their designs, and
are generally pretty faithful in re
producing natural objects. But
when it comes to representing the
"human form divine" they make sad
work OF it. Their ngures are all
drawn in a conventional style, of
which total disregard of anatomy is
the most marked feature.
This, however, is not so apparent
in the bronzes, which are wonder
fully delicate and elaborate. The
second platform displays some of the
finer specimens of ceramic art. The
more delicate articles are in cases,
and at the corners are huge vases
with panoramic Ornamentations.
Japan's display is especially rich in
this direction and is very fine. Hav-
ing passed these collections of affects
Fart, any one of which would be
worth the time given to the lot, you
enter maze of cases filled with in
small articles in lacquer,
and variety of wood work.
Here more bronzes and china, some
beautiful articles of finely plated
straw, that seem like bamboo, silken
screens, embroidered with wonderful
birds and flowers, or sprinkled with
handsomely painted fans, stand
about here and there. There are
some fine specimens of wood carving,
q bedstead, sideboard and several ar
ticles of furniture, and just beyond q
variety of tables and cabinets in lac
quer. One case contains some curl
ously carved ivory, the figures and
scenes being carved aud colored.
One of the most interesting features
of the DISPLAY is of dolls dressed
10 represent the different oc-
cupations. Here are soldiers in
armor, and on horseback, ladies
dressed in the latest Japanese style,
people, 4 complete repre-
of the national costume of
both sexes and of all ages. There
are also a number Of domestic arti
cles and various implements.
The show Of fabrics, though not so
extensive as that of China, is very
good, and an excellent collection Of
and products, fruits, ETC.,
together with maps and pictures of
Japanese life, concludes this credit
able display.
Denmark's display is enclosed by
q high wall, and is entered through
m arched door. 1t is not very large,
and the most prominent feature is
the terre Gotta ware. This is very
handsome both in design and form.
Perhaps the most interesting portion
IF the exhibit, however, is the collec-
ion of Esquimaux garments and i'm
elements. The latter are chiefly of
stone, horn and ivory, and evidence
l great expenditure of time and
oains-taking labor. A model shows
,he interior of one of their winter
dwellings,, and one of their unique
boats, the kayack, in which they
,urn sommersaults, is displayed with
covering, poodles, spears and all
There is also an odd spe-
ties of witchcraft, consisting of two
small covered canals, joined by bars
1T either end. Iron supports rise
from the center Of each boat and on
hem rests seat, in which the boat
man sits as in chair and propels
the nondescript with long double
bladed paddle.
Just beyond Denmark's cosy en-
closure, are arranged the various
gems and products of ancient Egypt,
upon the limiting wall of which, near
The main portal is this inscription,
''Sodan sends greeting to the young
est Nation Just inside, the eye
first rests upon model of Stucco Of
the largest OF the grand old pyra-
mids, the edges and corners showing