Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1886-08-14
JAPANESE ART IN NEW YORK,
A Spectacle Which Few People Have Ever
Seen on This Side ofthe Water.

seen on TINS SIDE OXkHo NNTeEa
That everything that Is worth seeing
can be seen in New York, Is not a truism
but 1t is true that 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 I'm one
of the Japanese manufacturing and
trading companies that truly represent
q miniature house, and which are
finished, furnished and decorated In the
true Japanese style.
The house Is the work OF a flrst-ciass
mechanic of Toxic. An ascent OF five
stops brings one to the outer door. which
Is OF hardwood andslidlng, as indeed are
al the Japanese doors, which move with
out a creak or jar.
J This door leads to the reception or
tea room. The ceiling Is COM
Structed OF woven bamboo varieQated,
smoked and natural. Along the hard
wool wainscottlng there is q border of
lacquered wood and the walls are
covered with paper In gold spatterwork OF
o soft artistic tone.
There Is nothing nailed to the floor.
but under the feet is mating which
feels unusually soft and springy. This
mating Is laid on cushion or bed OF
straw about six inches thick, and In
closed in cloth and corresponding In
width to the mating
The size OF a japanese apartment is
never given In feet or inches, but is
said to be a room of so many mattings,
and mating is generally understood TO
represent space of three by ten feet.
Ihe wiid4w in the recepti0n-room IS
made OF + ce paper inst ad of glass, and
Civ JUS as much light as though con-
structed OF the latter material, although
1t Is OF softer tone. In Japan III Is
customary for only the richest class
to have rlce-paper windows In their
dwellings.
This room contains O sideboard upon
which there are water bottles and tea
cadd es. while underneath there Is q set
OF lacquer ware for rice and other soft
food, and porcelain ware for meat and
fish.
In the centre Of the room there stands
0 brJnze flre-box containing a bed OF
asae5 OF fern leaves. When 1t is desired
to have fire some charcoal is placed
on those ashes and kindied IL the open
air, and after the smoke escapes 1t is
returned to the room and throws out o
good heat.
Between the tca-room and the parlor
are hand-palntei silk-front sliding doors,
which can be opened from either side.
The ceiling AMI wailscotiing OF the par
Tor arc cfvarious hard woods, the walls
and tioors be ne covered similar TO those
OF the reception-room.
Here, OF course, Is found an incense
burner and bronze smoking sets. But
few ornaments are visible. On opening
q cup oard, however, in one corner OF
the room, various curios are found.
This Is the prevailing custom in Japan.
and the mistress of the house changes
the ornaments from time to time, put
ting those not in use in the cupboard.
On state occasions. however, she dis
plays her entire collection.
About the house are scattered num-
Der Of small windows with o panel Of
fret work, with bamboo shades. There
are not any chairs In the house, their
place being supplied by cushions.
In one part OF the parlor there Is o
raised platform which is kept for dis
tinguished guests, and the host Is sup
posed to kneel before 1t to serve
them.
The woodwork and interior finish ara
very simple. the doors and window
frames are without uouldings, and
there are no mantel carvings. Repeated
dustiugs and rubbings have given to the
natural wood polished SUFFICE and .
mellow tint
The beautiful lacquer work. formerly
so extensively manufactured by this
skilful people, and which could DO pgb-
cured at SO trifling cost Is now bec0m-
ing rare; in fact, SO valuable has this
old lacquer work become. that many
pieces OF it have been returned from
Paris. New York and other art centres
TO Japan TO be sold.--[N. 7. Mail and
Express.