The examiner., 1886-03-13
JAPANESE ART IN NEW TORE.
A Specsn. eVyhich FeSv People Have
 ssseFseen on This si<as of slae

A spc"fats FeSv People Have
 ssseFseen on Thas sids of slae
 Water.
 Thafevery thing that Is worth seeing can be seen in New York, is not a truism: but ityfs true there are many things that are worth observing that are not generally 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 8 miniature house, and which are finished. furnished and decorated in the true Japanese style. Tie house is the work of a first-class mechanic of TokiO. An ascent of five steps brings one to the outer door, which is of hardwood and sliding, as in- deed are all the Japanese doors, which move without a creak or jar. The door leads to the reception or 'tea" room. The ceiling is constructed of woven bam- boo variegated, smoked and natural Along the hardwood wainscotting there is a 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 floor, but under the feet is mating which feels unusually soft and sprlngy. This mating is laid on cushion or bed of straw about six inches thick and enclosed in cloth and correspond. ing in width to the mating. The size of a Japanese apartment is never given 1n feet or inches, but is said to be room ot so many mattings and mating is gen orally understood to represent space of three by ten feet. s
 The window in the reception room is made of rice paper in place of glass. aud gives just as much light as though ccl. structed ot the latter material, although it is of softer tone. In Japan it Is CHS. tomary for only the richest class to have rice-paper windows in their dwellings This room contains 8 sideboard upor which there are water bottles and tea caddies while underneath there is set oi lacquer ware for rice and other soft food. and porcelain ware for meat and fish. In the centre of the room there stands g bronze firebox containing a bed of ashes ol leaves. When it is desired to have firt some charcoal Is placed oirthese ashes and kindled in the open air, and after the smoke escapes it is returned to the room and throws out a good 4heat. BetweeT the tea-room and the parlor there are hand painted silk-front sliding doors, which can be opened from either side. The ceiling and Wainscoting of the parlor are of var ious hard woods, the walls and fioor being covered similar to those of the re ception room. Here, of course, is founG an incense burner and bronze smoking sets. But few ornaments are visible On opening a 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 te time, putting those not in use in the cup board. On state occasions, however she displays her entire collection. About the house are scattered a number of small windows with panel of fret work, with bamboo shades. There are not any chairs in the house. their place being sup piled by cushions. In one part of the parIor there is a raised platform which is kept for distinguished guests and the host Is supposed to kneel. before it to serve them. The woodwork and interior finish are very simple, the doors and window. frames are without mouldings and there are no mantel carvings. Repeated dust ings with rubbings have given to the natural wood polished surface and g mellow tint. The beautiful lacquer work formerly so extensively manufactured by this skillful people. and which could be procured at so trifiing cost, is now. be coming rare; in fact, so valuable has this old lacquer work become, that many pieces Of 1t have been returned from Paris New York and other art centres to Japan to be sold.