, 1877-12-14
Home Life in Japan.
TRAITS OF JAPANESE BEAUTIES.

The japanese usually partake of three
meals day. The noon meal is more
substantial than in the early morning
but that at evening, after the labors of tht
day are over, is the chief Many spenc
hours over their evening cups and dishes
At this time probably majority drink
sake in greater or less quantity. The
drink is brewed from rice, and contains
from two to eight per cent. of alcohol
The afternoon is generally chosen as the
time for visits to the houses of friends OF
relations, the temple, sick persons, or at
tendance at festivals, pic-nics, boating or
drinking parties, or in shopping. Theatres,
temples and shops are open every day
from sunrise to sunset. There is no regu-
lar day of rest, though there are many
holidays, business being, however, but
slightly interrupted.
After the noon meal the ladies sit down
before their mirror, and, with the requis-
ties around them, make their toilets, pow
der their faces, necks and bosoms, have
their coifure arranged by the hair-dress-
er, and proceed to dress. Into the de-
tails of this elaborate, time-consuming,
fearful and wonderful triumph of femi-
nine intellect and art no masculine pen
dare enter. The Japanese lady wears no
jewelry; earrings, brooches, bracelets
and buckles being.-unknown in Japan.
No buttons are ever used in dress, the
robes being held entirely from the shoul-
ders, and made to set easily on the per-
son, with the aid of girdle. Suffice it to
say that after several hours, with the aid
of metal mirror and often of many pairs
Of critical eyes and nimble fingers, the
young lady emerges dressed" The
many details, each of which may have
cost her a heart-ache, blend into one ra-
diant usity of loveliness. Let me at
tempt description of this flower of Japan
ese womankind, nor let it be suggested
by any Of the Americans who have so Of
ten asked the writer, "Now, tell me, did
you ever see really pretty woman in
Japan-one whom acc would call beauti-
fuls" that | am painting the lily or add
ing depths of blue to heartsease or vio-
let The picture give is that of many a
Japanese young lady whom nave passed
on the streets, or seen at the temples or
in her fathers house, or serving as a
Ganymode at the feasts in Fukni. The
portrait l 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 we'll developed. Her ewes are
black and lustrous, often wide open and
capable of speaking the language OF
many emotions--unmistakably of one,
They are her chief weapons. "Though
the daimio may employ soldiers, swords
and spears in war, the maiden," says the
poet, ''need but send a dart from her eve
to conquer" Says another, "0ne look
into those eyes, and you loose your city
another, and you forfeit your kingdom g
Their line Of beauty is oblique, their
shape that Of an almond. What seems 10
mar the visage 10 our eyes is beauty itself
TO the children Of Japan. Her nose il
Aquiline, her mouth small, lips are cherry
red, teeth white As pearls, cheeks round
and tinted carnation. Her hair is je,
black, glossy, and is dressed with skill
symmetry and grace Some Anaiomis,.
say the cheek bones Of the japanese are
double, making them an anomalous peo.
pie; but cheek bones too high. skin loo
dark, lips too thick, eyes not Of classic
shape, or dull eyebrows not arched. OF
low, spoil the ideal. The japanese maid.
en- likes them not, nor her lover. I hav,
teen not q few japanese ladies who y er,
really beautiful.
The outer dress of the japanese lady &,
~ ala, craps, 90 cotton cloth, 10 summer
of hin gaute, ~ stuff of silk and hemp
% cotton. The inner clothing Is of mus
ihn of silk, made 10 sh0W a white or erin
tnu fold a. the throat and bosom. m
Winter many fold, aTg thus seen. Iaupel
over iTum left to right Over all il Nh,
plain velvet o. gilt-embfOidered collar o
I,' We ogisf drtss, reaching to the g,rI.e
Ahe sleeves are l0ng and Sowing lu, IL