Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1885-11-26

| ~-~---~S@1
General Grant in Japan, some OF the
most digniicd officials, in obedience to
this custom, put bread and cake, and
even butter and jelly, into their sleeves
to take home.
| After our first course came a long in
terval during which We played games
ond amused ourselves in various ways
At the end of this time dinner was an
nounced. Once more we took our places
on the cushions and silently waited,
wondering what would happen next
Soon the charming walters again appear
ed and placed on the floor in front OF each
visitor a beautiful gold lacquer tray,
on which was a covered bowl of fish
soup, and tiny cup of sake. Sake is
light wine distilled from rice. and is of
about the strength of table cherry. A
paper bag containing pair of chop
sticks also rested upon the tray; and
taking the chopsticks out, we uncovered
our soup and began to look around to
see how our Japanese friends were eat
ing theirs. We siyly watched them for
moment. 1t looked easy; we were
sure we could do it, and confidently at
tempted to toke up some of the floating
morsels of fish: but no sooner did we
touch them, than they eoyly foated off
to the other side of the bowl. We tried
again, and again we failed; and once
again, but with no better success. At
last our perseverance was partially re-
warded, and with veni-vidi-vici air we
| conveyed few solid fragments to our
mouths, drank little of the soup, and
then covering our bowl, as we saw others
do, we waited for something else to
happen.
In the meantime large china vessels Of
hot water had been. brought in and our
host kindly showed us their use Empty
ing his sake cup, he rinsed it in the hot
wafer, and then retilling it with wine,
presented it to friend, who emptied his
cup, rinsed and refilled it in the same
way, and gave it in exchange for the one |
hereceived.
The next course consisted of fish,
cakes made of chestnuts, and yams; the
third, of raw fish with very pungent
sauce; the fourth, of another kind of
fish and ginger root. After this we
were favored with music on the hinge
kia. This is harp-like instrument
giving giving t foEth low wierd sounl, utterly
music. The fifth course consisted Of
fish, ginger root, and "nori," kind of
seaweed.
After this we had more music, this
time on the keto. The koto is also
something like harp in appearance.
The performer always wears curious
ivory thimble-like arrangements on the
tips of her fingers, and to my nnedu-
Gated ear, the so o-called music is merely |
a noise which any one could make. We
were next favored with singing. This,
too, was low and plaintive, bearing about
the same resemblance to the singing of a |
European that the corns talk fiddle of a |
country schooboy bears to the rich mel
low tones of choice violin. This same
singing. however, is regarded as great
accomplishment in japan. The singer
on this occasion was rare type of Jap
anese beauty. fair as a lily, with hands
and feet so delicate and shapely that she
was almost al object of envy. Her coif-
furc, like the coiffures of all Japanese
women, was fearfully and wonderfully
made. Her dress was of the richest
crepe, quite long and very narrow,
opening in front to display a gorgeous
petticoat, and with square flowing sleeves
that reached almost to the floor. Her
obi, or girdle, was brocade stiff with
elegance, and probably cost more than
all the rest of the costume. The mys-
teries of the voluminous knot in which
it was tied in the back did not pretend
to unravel Her face and neck were
powdered to ghostly whiteness, and her
lips painted bright coral; altogether
she looked just like picture, not like
real woman at all.
After this came another course con-
sisting of fowl and fish stewed together
in some incomprehensible way. There
was also an entree Of picked fish. The
eighth course consisted of fish aud veg
egtable similar to asparagus; the ninth
of rice and picked daikon. Rice is the
staple dish, and, according to Japanese
custom, is served last. The daikon is q
vegetable somewhat resembling radish.
1t grows to an enormous size Indeed it
is common saying among vegetable
growers that one daikon grown in the
province of Dwarf, takes two men to
carry it, and that two Satsuma turnips
make load for pony. This sounds
somewhat incredible, and yet it is stated
for fact that daikon was not long ago
presented to the emperor which meas
ured over six feet in girth. These mon
ster turnips are generally sound to the
core; and to the japanese they are an
exceeding delicate aud palatable all
ment; with us the odor Of them alone is
sufficient to condemn them.
Last of all came tea, which was served
in the rice bowls without washing them.
The dinner lasted four hours; and when
at the close we attempted to rise from
the mats, our limbs were so stiff from
, sitting too long in this uncomfortable
position that we could hardly move.