The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-12-06
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 the
day are over, is the chief. Many spend
hours over their evening cups and dishes.
At this time probably a 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 or
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 couture arranged 10y 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
jewelry; earrings, brooches, bracelets
and buckles being unknown in Japan.
No buttons are ever used in dress, the
robes being held entirely from the shout
ders, and made to set easily on the per-
son, with the aid of a 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 heart-ache, blend into one ra-
diant u,ity of loveliness. Let me at
tempt description of this flower of Japan
csc 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
Jspan-one whom zee would call beauti-
fulf" 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 give is one as seen by an alien
eye. Some of the adjectives would not
suit native of Japan.
In height she is understood, in figure
short and we'll developed. Her eyes 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 dart from her eye
to conquer" Says another, "One look
into those eyes, and you loose 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
aquiline, her mouth small, lips are cherry
red, teeth white as pearls, cheeks round
and tinted carnation. Her hair is Jet
black, glossy, and is dressed with skill.
symmetry and grace. Some anatomists
say the cheek bones of the japanese are
double, making them an anomalous peo-
pie; but cheek bones too high, skin toe
dark, lips too thick, eyes not of classic
shape, or dull eyebrows not arched, Oh
low, spoil the ideal. The japanese maid
en- likes them not, nor her lover. / have
seen not few japanese ladies who were
really beautiful.
The outer dress of the japanese lady i:
of silk, Grape, or cotton cloth, in summer
of thin gauze, or stuff of silk and hemp
or cotton. The inner clothing is of mus
I'm or silk, made to show white or Grim.
son fold at the throat and bosom. In
winter many folds are thus seen, Tapped
over from left to right. Over all is the
plain velvet or gilt-embroidered collar OF
the outer dress, reaching to the girdle
The sleeves are long and flowing, cut in