Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-09-20
THE MIKADo's NEW PALACE.
Interesting Description of Notable Ed
flee IN Japan.

nee IN Japan.
The following is an interesting ex-
tract from a letter written by an AL
bany lady now in Japan to friend in
Albany:
An unexpected pleasure came to me
a few days ago in an invitation to visit
the new palace of the Emperor, which
is now being made ready for occupancy.
The permit was for four persons from
Yokohama and four from Toxic. and
in due seasonwe eight in our jinrikish-
as arrived at the entrance, where
several men, wildly gesticulating, or
dered us away. Our lengthy docu-
ment was shown and we were soon in
side the walls which surrounded the
grounds. In time the gardens will be
very pretty, but we did notspend much
time in them. Our interest conferred
in the buildings before us. The in
terror Of the palace is divided into
three distinct divisions.
The State department in which we
began our pilgrimage through the 400
rooms of the building, is to be devoted
to offices. It is decorated entirely in
foreign style, is lighted with electric
III.
In front of a large, iron door our guide
gave us in charge of another Japanese
guide and we entered the second divis-
ion, where the state dining rooms, re-
ceptIOn rooms, etc, are. The floors
are al of inlaid woods and are very
handsome, almost too handsome to be
covered by the elegant rugs which are
over them. The furniture came from
Germany and is in exquisite taste.
The decorations are a combination of
foreign with japanese art and the
combination is wonderfully beautiful
in its uniqueness. The ceilings are in
decorated panels. In one room panels
of flowers; in another, birds; in one the
crest of the AGkado (chrysanthemum)
in gold or black lacquer. The walls
are of silk and satin tapestry, and the
harmony in color, as one goes from
one suite to another, is particularly
noticeable where the color is so differ
ent. In the dining room there are
seats for 127 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' coffee-rOom, which
we consider the gem of the palace, and
the smOking-roOm for the gentlemen.
The reception room, or the east room,
as it was called, is a marvel of beauty.
| was particularly interested in Dor
der of Wisteria which was widely used
in the decorations. There were several
vases of bronze for flowers, 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 q dais on which were
several sofas and pieces of statuary,
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-
larly 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 room were panels
with strengthening animals painted
from pictures 5000 years old. Each
of these rooms opened into private
garden which landscape gardeners
will make beautiful as they only can
do those things. Near those two
rooms was handsome one which we
were told was intended for waiting
room for the servants. The private
cj Of no nd
Empress were closed to visitors, but
aside from those our tour through the
building was general.
In corresponding part in this third
division we visited the west room. 1t
is similar in size to the east room, but
with japanese furnishings. Here the
Mikado receives his guests. We mount
ed the throne, with its elegant canopy
surmounted by the ostrich feathers. as
the sign of royalty. We wanted to
feel ourselves sink in the luxurious
cushions OF the royal chairs, but as the
Emperor had not himself had that
pleasure, resisted, feeling sure that
our polite guide would consider it
breach of etiquette from the foreigners.
This same guide would not be induced
to receive a present from us in parting
for MS kindness to our party. lie
gave US many items of interest. will
give you a few of them.
The palace has been six years in
building and will be completed This
year. 1t was planned and the work
has been entirely done by japanese.
All parts of the country have contribut-
ed to its decorations. We also saw
large fountain which was sent from
Korea. We learned that the style of
the building. a large triangle, with
many of the rooms in the inclosure,
was due to the wish of the Emperor
that the expense for which the people
were to be taxed should be as light as
possible. The japanese are reaching
out anxiously and continually for the
customs of the people of the Western
world and from this fact comes the
need of the new palace.