The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1886-03-19
JAPANESE ART IN NEW YORK.
a Spectacle which Few People Hnvs
Ever Seen on This Stds ofthe


That everything that Is worth seeing can
be seen In New York, Is not a truism; but
Il IL true there are many things that are
worth observing that are not lrenerally
seen But limited number Of persons
are aware that there are two rooms IN one
Of the japanese manufacturing and trad
ing companies that truly represent q
miniature house aud which are finished.
furnished ana decorated 10 the true
japanese style. The house is the work Of
a first-class mechanic Of Toxic. An ascent
OF five steps brings one 20 the outer door,
which Is of hardwood and sliding, as in
deed are an the japanese doors. which
move without creak OF jRE. The door
leads 70 the reception or tea" nom.
The ceiling is constructed OF woven ham
boo yRriegated smoked and nGtr al
Along the hardwood yyainscottinr there is
border OF laCquered wood and the walls
are covered with paper In gold spatter-
work Of SOFT artistic tone There is
nothing nailed to the iuor, but under the
feet is mating which feels unusually soft
aud spungy- This mating is laid on q
cushion or bed Of straw about six inches
thick and enclosed IN cloth and correspond
ing in width 90 the mating The size Of
japanese apartment is never given 10
feet or inches but l. said 20 Re A toom Of
40 many matings aud a mating Is gen
orally understood 70 represent a space Of
three by ten feet
The window in the reception room n
made Of rice paper in place ot glass. aud
gives just a. much light Rs though con
structed OF the latter material although
Il Is Of a softer tone. In Japan il Is Gus
tomary for only the richest class 70 have
Tice-papeT windows in their dwellings
This room contains a sideb0ard upon
which there are water bottles and tea
caddies, while underneath there is a set u
lacquer - are for rice and other soft food.
and porcelain ware Tor meat and fish In
the centre OF the room there stands q
bronze hrehoN containing q bed Of ashes OF
leaves when 10 is desired TO have a fire
some charcoal Is PLACED on these ashes and
kindled In the open air, aud after the
smoke escapes II is returned 10 the roorr
and throws out good heat Between
The tea-roUm snd the parlor there are hss1d
painted silk-frout sliding doors. which can
De opened from either side The Cciliun
and waiHscotin2 Of the pariOr are Of var.
ious hard woods, the walls and floors
being covered similar T. those Of the re.
cepti0n room Here, OF courza. Is found
an incense burner and bronze smoking
sets But few ornaments are visible
On opening cupboard however,
in one corner Of room various
cUriOs are found This Is the prevailing
custom In Japan, and the mistress OF the
house changes the ornaments from time tC
Ellaer Ii'-'Ll. LDNse not IN uEe tn the uu-
board Ou state occasions, however abe
displays her entire collection About the
hOust ale scattered a number OF small
windows with panel Of fret work with
bamboo slIades. There are NOT ans
chairs Ia tug EOuse, their place being sup
piled 10y cushions In one part % ths
Vurlor there IS "a raised platform which Is
kept for Distinguished guests and the host
j. supposed TO kueul before il 70 serve
thyu- The woodwork aul interior finish
are very simple, the doors and window
frames are without m8uItiu-s siiI there
ars Hu ussItel carvings I,up-stel dust
iuss with ruhbiug- have given lo the
natural svuou \ polished sUI.fl-s ar-d q
m~liuW iluL The is-aHtinsl lacquer work
formerly 80 extensively ugsuUra-turoI hy
this -EiilEul people, and which uulld he
procured si geo -Tif'uE q cust j. now be.
s1u.lf : rare, ia fact. ~ valuable its this
cid lGrqucr work lernulI- thst r.-uS
pieces % u have hleI Icl7irl--.l tr1m Paris.
New York aud other an c-l.tIea 20 Japan
u Ie sold