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


The dinner was given at the Koyokan,
clubhouse in the city of Toxic, SC
called from the abundance of maple trees
by which it is surrounded; koyo mean
ing the red maple leaves of autumn, and
kan meaning house.
We took off our shoes at the door, and
those who had not been sufficiently prov
ident to bring with them a pair of wool
slippers, entered in their stocking feet.
We were at once greeted by our host
and hostess. Japanese ladies do not
often act the hostess at dinner party,
but usually remain in the background
| Our friend, however, having travelled
considerably in America and Europe,
was little advanced in his ideas and
gave his wife wife's place.
Several beautiful Japanese girls were
in waiting. who at once conducted us to
a spacious dining room on the second
floor.
Going out on the piazza adjoining, we
saw in the distance the bay with its
calm blue waters, and white winged
boats; and to the right Mount Fugi, her
peerless head losing itself in ambient
clouds; while at onr feet lay a bewil-
dering maze of dwelling houses, shops
and temples.
The floor of the porch was polished
smooth as marble, and the patterns in the
of maple leaves
AS we re-entered the dining-room our
first impression was that of vast empty
apartment. The only visible signs of
preparation for our coming were the
cushions upon which we were to sit, and
the hibachi or fire bowls, over which we
were to toast our fingers. We sat down
upon the mats, trying hard to fold our
limbs under US la japanese, but our
attempts were for the most part very
awkward
Then came some introductions. Our
| host had invited two friends to meet us,
Mr.. and Mrs. Suyita. Mr.. Suyita, being
Japanese of the old school and very
ceremonious, bowed low, SO low that
his honorable nose quite kissed the floor;
and remembering that when we are in
Turkey we must do as the Turkeys do,
we endeavored to salute him in the same
formal manner.
At length recovering our equilibrium
we resumed our old position on the mats,
tried to look comfortable, and began to
study the details of our surroundings. The
cushions upon which we sat were covered
with beautiful dark-blue crepe relieved
here and there by branches ofmaple leaves,
the rich October coloring making a
striking but exquisite contrast with the
moro somber background. The mats
were marvelously fine, and so clean that
one might suppose our party the first
that had ever assembled there.
At one end Of the room just above the
toxic noma, or raised platform on which
all the ornaments of the room are placed,
was kakemono, or picture scroll, the
work of celebrated painter named
Isanenobu, and very old. On this plat
form stood large vase of brown wicker
work SO wondrously fine that at little
distance it appeared like an elegant
bronze. In this vase were branches Of
Towering plum and cherry arranged as
only japanese know how to arrange
flowers. The ceilings were panels Of
cryptomeria, and without either paint OF
varnish were beautiful enough for 1
princes palace.
This immense room was divided by
sliding doors into three apartments. Tht
doors were covered with paper. Here
too, was the prevailing pattern, for owe
the rich brown background of the pape
were maple-leaf designs in gold ant
silver, and above the doors were paint
ings Of maple branches with foliage 0
} scarlet, maroon, and every shade o
green. On the opposite side of th
room was another raised platform. Her
also were two large vases. and in then
branches of Towering shrubs, some 0
which were covered with lichens. /
bronze ornament of rare workmanship
stood between, for which many seeke
of curiosities would give hundreds o
dollars.
Soon beautiful serving maids entere
and placed in front of US trays on whic
were tea and swcet-meats. In Japan th
dessert comes first. The trays were orns
mented with carvings Of maple leaves
the tea-cups we're painted in the sam
design, and the cakes themselves were i
the shape of maple leaves. with tints a
glowing, and shading almost as delicat
as though painted by the early frosts .
autumn. We ate some Of the cakes an,
put some in our pockets to carry home
It is etiquette in Japan to take away
little Of the confectionery, and paper
often provided By the hostess in whic