Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-07-29
I'm oHrsA AND JAPAN.
Oriental Cussoms-Japaneso HATH
ling. Theatres and Dancing,

-
Oriental Customs Japanese HATH
ing, Theatres and Dancing.
A correspondent Of the Baltimore
American, on board the United States
flagship Trenton, writes from Hong Kong
under date of May Gath, as follows:
As our ship slowly steams into Hong
Kong harbor, with the blush sea, whereon
rests large feet of mammoth merchant
ships and men-of-war Of every nation,
thousands of picturesque junks and
myriads Of sampans, or native boats, the
scene becomes enhancing. The harbor is
grand and almost landlocked. Being the |
rendezvous OF the English naval ships, and
also thor headquarters, here may be seen |
at all times at least half dozen of their |
war vessels, whose presence serves to en- |
liven things generally. Tho city ia we'll |
built, the roads and streets are for the most |
part admirably constructed and kept in |
good order, and many Of the thorough |
fares are delightfully."- shaded with we'll |
grown trees. Chef among the public |
buildings is the City Hall, erected in 1869 |
by subscription. II contains n theatre, |
numerous large rooms used for balls and |
public meetings, nm excellent and valuable |
library, and \ museum which is yearly |
increasing in Importance.
The city of Victoria is magnifoently |
situated, many of the houses being large
and handsome, and rising tier upon tier
frem the waters edge to an altitude of
several hundreds of feet on the face OF the
peak, while several are visible from the
very summit. The island ia IL miles
long, and from two 10 five broad. The
European population here is not incon-
siderable.
There liz plenty of room in this, the
land of the rising sun, for a man OF
brains and of keen observation. Every
facility Ia offered for drawing contrasts
between the customs, manners, dress and
peculiarities of the 0rientals and his fairer
brother of the western hemisphere. The
Chinese wear white during periods of
mourning black. The old men
playfully fly kites, while the boys looks
on, as in Japan. They whiten their shoes
with chalk, instead of blaclsing them, and
mount horses from the off side. The men
in China wear the petticoats, while the
women invariably wear the pantaloons.
Men run the dressInaking and millinery
stores, and every man carries fan, either
in his hand or tucked in the collar of his
dress behind the neck. Women smoke
on all occasions. When man has
| suffered an injury at the hands of another,
| instead of killing the offender he kills
himself, believing that the man whom he
hates will be held accountable for his
/ death, and will be fearfully tormented by
| demons in this world and in the next. II
q Chinaman wishes especially TO honor
any one, he assigns him to n standing or
sitting position on his left hand. Instead
| of a Japanese woman COMPRISING her
| feet as hor Chinese sister does, Rhe has
custom far more disgusting. They natur.
ally hayo fine teeth, but when woman
mRrries she is compelled by custom to
dye her teeth black, which process ia re-
peated every few years. The effect is
hideous in the extreme. The most I'M
portant article of a native woman's dress
is the obi or SASH This il usually of u
costly material aud is tied behind in a
huge bow with the strictest care. When
Japanese woman becomes a widow, and
signifies her determination never TO marry
again, she ties the obi in front. They
seem TO smoke all the time. The tiny
Japanese pipe contains but two or three
whifs, and as the tobacco is rolled up
tightly in the fingers before IL is inserted
the ash when shaken out il fire. ball
from which second pipe is lighted. At
Japanese feast the same cup is passed
from hand to hand, each person rinsing il
in bowl of water after using and before
offering il to another.
HOW THE JAPs ARE RuRrEn.
The lowest classes of Japanese are
buried in squatting position in sort of
barrel. 1t is mistake TO suppose that
the burying of the dead is universal in
Japan. The rich aud noble are buried in
square collins the bodies being partially
preserved from decay by filling the nose
ears and mouth with vermillion After
death the person receives new name.
This name is "Okwuna" or the accom-
J panylng name. II is customary on the
occasion of the first visit to q house to
carry present to the owner, who gives
something of equal value on returning the
visit. Cats in Japan are found with
stumps where there should be tails.
Sometimes this L. thC result 81 utt, g4i
sometimes the result Of shortening. All
the temples of Japan, rs we'll rs OF China,
, have guests apartments, which may be
secured for consideration, either for q
short or loEg period of time. II il wrong
, to suppose there is any dissertation of 4
sacred shrine for the purpose of using il
4 as a hostelry, it is the custom of the
4 country. The practice of suicide by
disembowelling is of great antiquity. Or
I entering Japanese house the native re
r moves his sword, leaving only his dirk
, The rooms of the houses are divided b,
paper screens, whichIform partitions, ant
o they may be made into one room at will
b. No people are more fond of the batl
y than the Japanese. The mountains con
! tain many mineral springs, around which
Z are springs supported by the people, wht
Y come to enjoy the bathing. Those VIII,
+ can not afford the expense of pleasur,
r trip must remain at home and get no
4 bath as best they can-perhaps at
i public bath, perhaps in the back yard, o
= even, as / have seen in Nagasali, in {
r little-frequented part Of the street. Stop
r ping at the inland hotels the proprietor
It make their appearance at early daylight
v Offering you the first chance Mt bath
!. which means nothing more or less THAI
l. being cooked-the water being boiling
hot. One must visit the inland towns Il
see the life of Jap proper. Their house
are built of bamboo, covered with mud
Y while the roof is matched with straw. Oh
q entering you must invariably remove you
!. shoes. A most peculiar and laughabl
i sight ia to see the baby strapped TO til
Il back of the older child.
o There is no lack of amusement in Japan