The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-12-06

! ing from neck to feet. In full dress II
flows out in circle on the floor for a
foot around the lady, whose feet, though
never bound like the Chinese, yet are
delicately small. Neither opium smok.
ing por feet-binding are known in the
Sunrise Kingdom, a fact which differen-
tiates them strongly from the people OF
the Middle Kingdom. For six inches OF
more from the bottom in front, the inner
robes are made to fold backward, with
out exposing the white sock. encased and
sandalled 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,
semipublic 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 tight, preventing graceful mo-
ton in walking, and turning walk into
a waddle. The girdle, the most important
part of the dress, clasps the waist with a
gorgeous periphery of satin, embroidered
silk or rich damask, and serves as belt
and corset. The tying of a girdle is a
theme for an epic poem. Its successful
accomplishment makes the proud wearer
the target of congratulation. Several
fashions prevail, but 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 l have beheld on the promenade
in Ozaka. The tie and pose of their Cir
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
busting 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, chaffening, laughing and buy
ing. The temple is also one of the best
places 10 study human nature of the te-
male variety, while great nsatsurt or
Buddhist festival makes picture OF HUI
man happiness as gay in colors as a flow
er-garden.
A japanese city on 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-tronts
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 a 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 hOistarOus reyelers 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 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,
grooms, 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 a
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 Tsstu san,
/ (papa), after the days toll and bath, sits
down for a romp or more quiet jolly time
in hugging, tickling, or talking to his
! little ones or hearing their prattle