Connecticut western news., 1877-11-30
Japanese Ladies.-Their Personal Appear
 ance and Their Style of Dress.

After the noon meal the ladies sit down before their mirror, and, with the requisites around them, make their toilets, powder their faces, necks and bosoms, have their coifure arranged by the hairdresser, and proceed to dress. Into the details of this elaborate, time consuming, fearful and wonderful triumph of feminine intellect and art no masculine pen dare enter. The Japanese lady wears no jewelry; ear rings. brooches, bracelets and buckles being unknown in Japan. No buttons are ever used in dress, the robes being Eheld entirely from the shoulders, and made to set easily on the person with the aid of a girdle. Suffice is to say that after several hours, with the aid of a metal mirror and often of many pairs of critical eyes and nimble fingers, the young lady emerges 'dressed." The many details, each may have cost her heartache, blend in one radiant unity of loveliness. Let me attempt descrip- tion of this flower of Japanese woman kind, nor let it be suggested by any of 
 the writer, ''Now, tell me, did you ever see pretty woman in Japan-one whom we would call beautiful ?' that I am painting the lily or adding depths to heartsease or violet. The picture I give is that of many a Japanese young lady whom have passed on the street, or seen at the temples or in her fathers house, or serving as a Ganymede at the feasts in Fukni. The partrait I give is one as seen by an alien eye. Some of the adjectives would not suit native of Japan. In height she is undersized, in figure short and well developed. Her eyes are black and lustrous, often wide open and capable of speaking the lan- guage of many emotions-unmistakably of one. They are her chief weapons. 'tThough the daimio may employ soldiers, swords and spears in war, the maiden,'' says the poet, ''need but send dart from her eyes to conquer.'' Says another, "One look into those eyes, and you lose your city; another, and you forfeit your kingdom" Their line of beauty is oblique, their shape that of an almond. What seems to mar the visage in our eyes. is beauty itself to the children of Japan. Her nose is aqui- line, her mouth small, lips cherry red, teeth as white as pearl, cheeks round and tinted carnation. Her hair is black, glossy, and dressed with skill, symmetry and grace. Some anatomists say the cheek bones of the Japanese are double, making them anomalous. people; but cheek bones too high, skin too dark, lips too thick, eyes of classic shape, or dull, eyebrows not arched, or low, spoil the ideal. The Japanese maiden likes them not, nor her lover. I have seen not few Japanese ladies who were really beautiful.
 Theouter dress of the Japanese lady is of silk, crape, orcotton cloth, in Sum- mer of thin gauge, or stuff of silk and hemp, or cotton. The inner clothing is of muslin or silk, made to show white or crimson fold at the throat or bosom. In Winter many folds are thus seen, lapped over from left to right. Over all is the plain velvet or gilt embroid- cred collar of the outer dress, reaching to the girdle The sleeves are long and
 flowing, cut in & square shape, making excellent pockets. The robe is simply a long wrapper, reaching from neck to 3 feet. In full dress 1t flows out in a cir