Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1886-10-26
MORE FROM JAPAN.
An interesting chat with DR.. Bige-
low, a Four Years Resident.

A party OF three more gentlemen from
japan, one native and two Americans,
arrived here this morning and were
taken in hand by Mr.. s. A. Van Praag,
Of the Burlington route. The party con-
sists OF Professor Fenollosa, OF the
japanese Government College at Toxic,
and his family; Mr.. Okakura, an educa-
tonal officer of the Government, and DIR.
Bigelow, who is travelling with the party
for pleasure. Prof. Fenolosa was form
erly resident of Salem, Massachusetts,,
and has spent eight years in the Mikado's
country. DR.. Bigelow is from Boston
and has been in Japan some four years.
The Professor and Mr.. Okahura are
sent here by the japanese government
to look into the matter OF fine arts, both
in America and Europe, and will visit the
principal cities OF the UnitedStates and OF
European countries in the interest Of the
government college at Toxic.
A reporter OF the DEIoCRAT had the
pleasure OF meeting Dr. Bigelow at the
Walker House this morning, and learned
from him many facts that will be OF in
terest to Americans in general. lie said
that it was, OF course, needless to men
ton the wonderful progress OF Japan III
the way OF civilization and general adj
vancement AS is well-known, great
strides have been taken by the govern
ment by the introduction OF railroads
telegraphy and other improvements.
Within the past few years they have paid
great attention to the construction OF new
railroads and to the building OF wagon
roads across the mountains which had
been considered impossible.
"The greatest change" said Mr.. Bige-
low, sis that in the condition OF women
which has been made within year or
two" Heretofore the women were, as
they are in all Eastern countries, consid-
cred very inferior, and it is in their eleva-
ton that the greatest sign OF advance
ment is seen. The ladies who have been
educated in the United States carried
back the American ideas, and through
them great change has been wrought.
The ladies have established bazars, have
learned to dance and to enjoy themselves
generally in social way, recognizing the
wives and daughters OF tine nobility as
the leaders of society. A dancing acade-
my has been opened in the capital and
the natives prove to be much more apt
in the idea OF the beauties of motion,
than are the Americans or Europeans.
The waltz, galop, polka, lancers and
quadrilles are danced with grace and
precision that would rival any American
| dancing class.
In all their efforts to improve. the Jap
anese recognize the United States Gov.
eminent as their greatest friend, and
their regard for this nation is very great
When asked in regard to the politics Of
the country and as to what he thought Of
the probability OF u change in the form
OF government, DR.. Bigelow said that he
would prefer not to express an opinion
on this subject. In regard to the rela
tions of Japan to this and other foreign
countries he said that, whether amicable
or otherwise, whether important or un
important the relations depended entirely
upon the actions of the minister sent tC
Japan by the foreign country.
The party spend to-day in viewing the
city in company with MrVan Praag, ant
will leave tomorrow over the d. & X. G
for Denver and from there East over the
Burlington Route.