The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-11-15
HoTRL LIFE IN JAPAN.

hOIhL LII = 4S SAfaNs
Hotel life in Japan is not altogether as
pleasant as 1t would be at one Of our large
modern American houses. I have spent
about eighteen days in Japan hotels on
my recent trips, and I have not, with one
or two exceptions, found place where 1
could get bread, meat, butter, pepper, or
vegetables, except a kind Of potato that
looks like a very young kidney pota-
to early in the season. Even these
could only be had at two places. have
been able to get chickens four times, and
fresh tish three times. Dried fish are plen.
ty, but to me UNBEATABLE. There is mo fruit
except what they call pear, which looks
like russell apples, and are as tasteless as
halt.ripe russets, with less than half their
acidity.
/ have had table to eat of Of twice,
and chairs to siton at the same places. At
all others sat on the floor to eat, as do all
guests. I saw knives and forks but once,
and spoons TWO or three times. They have
no beds, no bedsteads, and no pillows but
a block OF wood, which my head will not
stay upon. Still, l have enjoyed my trav-
els very much, and been able to observe
all places Of japanese life.
Rice Is the staple article OF food here,
morning, noon and night, and they cook
II TO perfection. I have learned to like 1t
as well as the Japs themselves. Tea Is the
next in importance. It is drank without
sugar or milk.
There are no domestic animals in Japan
except stump-tailed cat, and dog that
looks like q wolf, but seeing TO be civil
There are no swine or sheep, and very
few cattle, nearly al! black, and used only
as pack animals. have not seen q COW
or calf, and only one mare and colt. The
horses are very poor scrubs, and would
not bring SO apiece in any city in the
United States. In fact they only bring
rom IS to 20 yen, (about $40 to SlS) here.
They are used solely as pack animals, e1-
cept in the sea.board cities that are open
TO foreign commerce, where few are used
in private vehicles. Farmers do not have
horses or cattle. In fact they have no use
for them, as there are no plows, wagons,
cultivators, or any agricultural, imple.
ments or tools operated by horse power.
The Japs are superior farmers. Their
land shows the most careful tillage. Not a
weed can be seen. 0ne.half or more oil
the land Is devoted to rice. Tea, silk, cot.
ton, millet, for export, are also raised.
They grow q sort Of peas and beans, but
very unlike ours, the peas tasting just like
peanuts. The Japanese potato plant looks
like the rhubaIb. The potatoes never
grow larger than the fore joint Of ones
thumb.
TUE ORDINARY JAPANESE HOUSE
lie simply a framework Of four posts, COW
cred with bambOos, crossing at right au'
giles, and plastered over with mud. In the
front and rear are openings, nine to I'll.
teen feet, according to the size Of the
house. These are open at all times except
during the night, when they are closed
with paper screens, in summer, and with
woven curtains in winter. These Aide
into space on either side in the manner
OF sliding door between two rooms in a
modern American residence. All parti'
lions are Of paper, and are removed during
the day. There are no locks or other de-
vices for fastening the screens. The roof
are mostly matched Of nice straw. The
floors, except 4 small space OF bare
ground pounded smooth and hard, are
covered with mats.
The JGps, as q people, are scrupulously
neat and clean about their persons. Their
teeth are given special care. They battle
like Democrats vote, "early and often
Their habits in this respect are somewhat
peculiar. At one place, in a hotel, saw
man, his wife and six children bathing
together, and have almost daily seen two
or more persons bathing together. Al
Mike there is large hotel, the place be-
| ing great resort for tourists drawn out
Of curiosity to see the famous temple.
The baths In the hotel were occupied By
two or more persons constantly from
iii 10 o'clock, often later, every evening
They use very hot water, should say
1907 Fahrenheit, and 1t Is changed but one'
ddy. The baths are never entirely closed
and always open to observation in passing
in the hall. B.