Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1888-10-06
THE MlKADO'S PALACE,
Interesting Description of the Most Nota-
Bile Ediiice in Japan.

The State department in which We
began our pilgrimage through the four
hundred rooms Of the building is to be
devoted to Offices. 1t is decorated en-
tirely in foreign style, is lighted with
electric lights and will be heated with
steam, In front Of a large, iron door
our guide gave Us in charge Of another
japanese guide and We entered the
second division where the State dining
rooms, reception rooms, etc, are. The
floors are all Of inlaid woods and are
very handsome, almost too handsome
to be covered by the elegant Jugs
which are over them. The furniture
came from Germany and i in eXQui-
site taste. The decorations are a com
bination OF foreign with japanese art
and the combination is wonderfully
beautiful in its uniqueue,s. The cell
ings are in decorated panels. In one
room, panels Of flowers: in another.
birds; in n the crest Of the MikadO
(chrysanthemum) in gold, on black
lacquer. The walls are Of silk and
satin tapestry and the harmony in
color, a. n goes from n suite to an
other, Is particularly noticeable where
the coloring is so different. In the
dining room there are seats for one
hundred and twenty-seycu guests. The
room is very large, and inclosed on
three sides by heavy plate-glass doors.
There are four elaborate side-boards
beautifully carved. Near this are two
smaller rooms, the ladies' cofTee-room.
which We consider the gem of the pal
ace, and the smokiug-room for the
gentlemen. The reception room. or the
east room, as it is called. is a marvel
Of beauty. ! "a particularly inter-
ested in a border OF wisteria which was
largely used in the decorations. There
were several vases of bronze and flow
ers OF immense proportions. You will
be interested in knowing that the fine
carved piano was made by Steinway.
In the center Of the room was a dais
IN which were several SOFAS and
pieces OF s%tatuary, and the general
idea Of the lovely room, as we stood
at one end gazing in admiration, will
remain with us for years.
We were now ready for the third
division OF the palace. Here we found
the decorations entirely Of japanese
art, and we were almost ready to say:
This is the best Of all" The doors
and windows were in japanese style.
The walls and ceilings were particu-
larry native in their odd papering. In
the private parlor OF the Empress the
walls represented the sky, with
myriads of birds flying through the air.
In the Emperor's private o were
panels with strengthening animals
painted from pictures three thousand
years old. Each Of these rooms
opened into a private garden which
landscape gardeners will make beauti-
full as they only "a do those things.
Near these two rooms was IA handsome
one which we were told was intended
for a waiting room for the servants.
The private sleeping rooms OF the En-
peror and Empress We're closed to Wis
itors, but aside from those our tour
through the building was general.
In "A corresponding part in this third
division we visited the west room. 1t
is similar in size to the east room, but
with japanese furnishings. Hero the
Mikado receives his guests. We
mounted the throne, with its elegant
canopy s%urmounted by the ostrich
feathers, as the sign Of royalty. We
wanted to feel ourselves sink in the
luxurious cushions OF the royal chairs,
but az the Emperor had not himself
had that pleasure, resisted, feeling sure
that our polite guide would consider it
a breach Of etiquette from the foreign
ers. This same guide would not be
induced to receive a present from us
in parting for his kindness TO our
party. He gave US many items Of in
terest. ] will give you a few OF them.
Cor. Albany ca. ~ journal.