, 1877-12-14

never bound like the Chinese, yet are
delicatcly small. Neither opium.smok-
ing nor fpet.binding are known in the
Sunrise Kingdom, fact which ditfcrcn-
tiates them strongly from the people OF
the Middle Kingdom. For six inches or
more from the bottom in front, the inner
robes are made to fold backward, with
ont exposing the white sock enCased and
sanduled foot, making elegant contrast
of color usually deep crimson and pure
white. The dress is of sober tints for the
street. States, dark blues or greens,
blacks and grays predominant. Indoors
the colors are rich and splendid, rivalling
the rainbow Only the singing girls,
semi public characters, put on gay colors
outdoors; the lady never does, except on
certain special occasions The dress fits
the figure finely from waist to shoulders.
The flowing sleeves are graceful, just free
ing the plump little hand with its taper
ing fingers. From waist to knee the dress
is absurdly tightpreventing graceful mo-
tion in walking, and turning walk into
a waddle. The girdle, the most important
part of the dress, clasps the waist with
gorgeous periphery of satin, embroidered
silk or rich damask, and serves as belt
and corset. The tying of girdle is
theme for an epic poem. Its successful
accomplishment makes the proud wearer
the target of congratulation. Several
fashions prevail, bat by solemn opinion is
hereby recorded that, though the ladies
of Fukni, Kioto and Toxic do excellently,
those of Ozaka excel them all. / have
never seen such countenances, expressive
at once of proud satisfaction, serene hap
piness and exalted sympathy for less for
tunate womankind whose girdles were
awry, as | have beheld on the promenade
in Ozaka. The tie and pose of their gir-
dies were simply inimitable.
The Japanese ladies, as well as their
lords and those who wish to be such, have
plenty of shopping to do, and to visit
bustling street full of gay stores in the
afternoon, affords spectacle that never
tires 1t is especially entertaining to go
to one of the large silk stores, like Nit
sui's, the Stewart of Toxic, or those re-
nowned for cheap bargains, and see the
gaily, dressed mothers and daughters
chatting, chatfening, laughing and buy
ing. The temple is also one Of the best
places to study human nature of the fe-
male variety, while a great meatSuri or
Buddhist festival makes picture of hu-
man happiness as gay in colors as flow
er-garden.
A japanese city on a winters night
does not afford notably lively sight, but
in summer time, especially when it is
moonlight, flower shows, promenades,
dancing circles, markets, fairs, temple
festivals, boating parties and games, give
the streets and houses and water-fronts
the appearance of day. After supper in
warm weather the cotton quilt beds are
spread on the floor, mosquito nets-made
to fit the entire roOm-hung, the younger
children put to sleep, while the old folk
sit out ON mats or settees before their
houses, smoking their pipes, tanning
themselves, telling stories, retailing news
or gossip. The older children play, and
the streets hum with saunterers or peo
pie on their way to and from the bath
houses, whittier every one, of whatever
age or sex, resorts daily, once or oftener.
Poor people usually choose the night for
burial, to save exposure of their poverty.
The cortege moves through the humber
streets, but often the funeral of noted
man is postponed until evening, when
greater public attention may be attracted
by the numerous lanterns. The process
sion then goes down the main avenues.
The tea houses, from which issue the
sounds of boisterous jewellers, are illumi-
mated with festoons of large, gaily-col-
ored lanterns, while the thousands of
moving lights on the streets, seen through
rich painted designs, on translucent pa
per, and lighting the merry faces of the
people, make "a sight not easily for
gotten.
AS breakfast is the least important
meal, no care need be borrowed for the
morrow, so the evening is given up to re-
Taxation by all. Even the kitchen maids,
groYms, and poorest laborers and their
boys and girls, can take the fresh air,
romp and play, walk, flirt, make love,
or indulge in the luxury OF little sake
at the tea house by the river, go on
moonlight picnic to the mountain, or hire
boat and enjoy cool ride on the river.
These passionate children OF Nature IN
winter make up walking parties for no
other purpose than to see the snow fall.
In summer the bridges are crowded with
star and cloud gaZers. o TOstu san,
papa, after the days toll and bath, sits
down for romp or more quiet jolly time
in hugging, tickling, or talking to his
little ones, or hearing their prattle.
Thus the day is made up Of toll and
relaxation, the one helping to bear or en-
JOY the other. Caucasian grandeur might
bear with disdainful smile the story Of
everyday life OF the japanese rice-Winner,
Nere il to be told in full, but that he
beArs the burdens Of life As manfully,
aud tolls in a. sunny q mood as the aver
age ot his ooItrsrss, who in other lands