New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-12-20
INNER JAPANESE LIFE.
DoINGs OF THE MADISON sQUARE COLONY

HOW THE JAPs EAT, SLEEP. WORSHIP AND hMUsE
THEMSELVES WHEN OFF Duty.
"How do you people amuse yourselves when yod
aren't working 7" asked young girl the other day
as she bent over the booth of Of the Japanese
young men," who tinker away 50 nans:riously
day after day at the Madison Square Garden.
mo speak Ings." said the rrodest Orieuta with
n SD, sweet smile; and the lnquisitiye daughter
of Eve was forced to drop what might have become
an interesting conversation. at that point. IL is
doubtless "a matter OF curiosity TO many OF inc VS.
ltors TO know what the inhabitants Of this httle
section OF the Orient do in the fifteen hours day
daring which the public are excluded.
To the sonth of the workshops tho rooms
where the members of the colony eat and slcer.
Sliding-Joors of japanese construction. admit the
visitor who has to back through like loyal subject
escaping from royal receptiOn-room. The first
hall is divided up into Il number of lit;lc state
rooms in which the wOrkmen sleep Some OF theSe
are reserved for the women aud children. Beyond
is an apartment used as kitchen and dining-room.
Here Shinamura. the big cook, reigns supreme.
Shinamura list parsonage of Importance, ant no
mean mental He was formerly member 0l tho
japanese embassy TO Germany and can express
himself IN TeutOnic gutturals with the Srea'eSt
laency He il u master Of the art OF JAPANESE
cookery and turns ont lnabusl misc, sl0yu aud
otber tootbsomc sauces and delicac!e5 in endless
variety of japanese names and ayoIs. Shoyu Is a
puugent compound that forms the basis oi "or'es-
tcrshre sauce and is exported 10 ngapd III largo
quantities. The Japanese eat il Oh their rsii 1t
the dinner hour the rattle of knives and plates is
continuous and the food disappears quickly as
at railroad restaurant some OF the men Use
their knives like chopstcks, and the result,
although hardly up to the standard OF modern
etiquette is vast improvement on the practice OF
using them like shoyes
The Japs sleep on raised cOuc5es. The most
extraordinary feature OF the bed furnishings is the
makurO or pillow. This promises about rs much
comfort the similar article OF torture used by
tho Feejee Islanders. 1t looks like wedge-shaped
piece of cOrlwood the edge of the wedge being
protected by little roll of cloth cotton. On
this wedge tho Japanese woman rests her neck.
when she wants to take nap letting her head
hang over on the other side. How she escapes
strangulatiOn or the disOcatiOn of her Yertebral
apparatus, is mystery. But like many acts of
their American sisters. this is not done by the
japanese women because they enjoy it, bat because
it saves their back hair from mussing.'
Miss Ida Yult, who serves haiIdlesser TO tie
women of the colony, is uncOmnoniy ineenioas.
She designs all those wonderful structures of
silky black hair which the admiration of the
bcholder. The hair is first combed and brnshed
then parted in half dozen different dire, lions aad
drawn each way fom the parting until the whole
looks like the geographical divisions IF tie Eascrn
hemisphere Zach strand is then turned and
twisted Oh itself till the desired effect is produced,
and then it is deltly tied IN place with black
thread which is bitten OF neatly 5y the wnite
teeth OF the hairlIcssT. OF course all ;hIs tahes
time and the results preserved Tor three four
days by the use Of the curious pillow described
After work is over the evening there is gather.
ing about the big stove that heats the Sleeping
LII.
arch with the steebowed sprctaccs, who tho
loom, diseourses words of wisdom for the younge,
members OF the colony. Ogura Togakichi, the
/ barber, Is also man ot proverbs and wise SAWS
In the morning all are awakened by the roar of
the gong. This is peculiar instrument. Ii is
made of bronze and is shaped ike 4 cocoauut with
one end cut Oft. Not being provided with any
particular bottom which to stand, il has tho
chronic aspect Of drunken dinner pot. When
struck with n stick il gives forth deep. TeYerbera-
tory sound. After breakfast until the hear OF the
morning reception they amuse themselves rs they
choose. Gossip among the women and some
Japane.e substitute for politics among the men
/ keep tie conversation going Sometimes there are
mprOmptu wrestling matches at wheel the two
carpenters are the achuow .edgel champions. Tho
contestants squat on the left foot opposite TO each
other. and extend the Tgnt leg ami! the solrs of
their feet touch. Then they wrgy!e and hoT about
/ Ike TWO "a NitkcUN lHilt one +t-N Il eiObc on
twist on his opponent thht sends IN over on his
back with every thing looping IN the ant.
Sunni the girl whose pretty name has the
pro~alc meaning Of IDh. tIots MP ana down With
renzaba the solemn little hahy.-strapie ed to
her back like a pHpnors" kurataro a most mis-
chleyous VOungstrr slides down the hauS'cr VII l.
out regard 10 tie duration of his Japanese trousers:
and tac rest of the six little japanese k:ds' play
at steam ears with rows OF blocks. SOm,ti:nc, a
mcdtative young workman VIII SIT OF by nImsSlf
thinking perEaI 81 thr sunny SKIES at us natIyo
island. and cumming song in a mOnot0nous Under
tone like the sound of the wind among the Try
pines
The members of the colony, sometimes sul Ter from
throat aud lang troubles. When anything Is III,
matter with them they rnn to Nh Dcakn. the
manager ike ~ many children. snow him where
the pain is. and ask for medicine II doesn't
trouble them what they get fit is only medicine
OF some sort. and ii disappears lmmcd diely. no
matter whar the quantity given. Another ct iG-
Ike uualtv is the delight they take IN a watch.
ibc graYe>r of them is rs eager 10 :" shee wheels
20 wound IS ever IOddy was.
sunday is literally day OF rvst-and amusement
In the words Of the poet, adapted.
They never amt had no show"
The company contains members Of the BuGdhis.
ana Shnio sects As there are no shines or
temples within real they are ior,eI 10 i"re@o the
outward performances OF their reg on, rites, but
tie privat on does no. scent TO trouble them much
The Shut0 theology Is mach Ike the GrecIEn
,.ythcisnl, though not rs extensive. There are
s.,,n rods IN the calendar. In ihe temple haugs a
gong The wurShpper beats the gong 10 at!ract
the attention OF til" particular divinity 10 whom 10
wishes 10 appeal, and then goes on with hi, petit
ton he gods are-iofai, who il supposed TO
bestow happiness: Dakrko who gives his f. th:ul
followers wealth; Fuknrokiym, who is conceived
of "a having big bead full oil know ledge JuioS in,
who gives cueth of days and takes ere of aged
Jaoangsr: BishamOn. thu patron Of war: Benton.
a dusty Venus the Obis.t OI ;he lovers snpplicpt-
ions when his dreamy mistress refuses 10 smile
upon HIM: and lehlsu, the fool proYidrr. who
may be- supposed to be the patron Of the leggaIs
OF Japan
about among the wOrSmcn aSid oft n attracts tho
notice of visitors is the ION OF welitOdO Japanese
merchant He is here in the care of Mr.. Drakiu.