Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-06-17
OLD JAPANESE FAMILY.
RHJNiON OF THE NTWA CLAN ON
THE MlKAOOiS BIRTHDAY.

EeuGal &eaSt-dospltanty OF the Old
japanese Noblesse Society Etiquette
Among the First Families.
The family of Niwa are prominent figures
the active history of Japan, and during
feudal times represented great army and
much wealth The last of the family still
lives in the person Of the old dainio. who is
IS years old. and confined TO his horne by a
weakness OF mind brought on By seeing au
his past glory departed, and his noble lady,
who took part in the exercises Of the day,
When l say the last OF his race refer 70
those of the family blood, although a son has
been adopted, and bears ell the honors, name
and privileges as If their own, and is appar-
emily as dear. The honors thus bestowed by
adoption secure to him the same rights to rule
and receive the same respects from all retain
ers of the family as if he were the natural
heir. In company with my friend, the doc
tor, approached the club. We were met at
the door by a bevy Of singing girls
We were ushered upstairs. and where be-
fore we had been entertained privately in
rooms twenty-five feet square, thanks 70 that
japanese institution, sliding doors, found
myself in large room aoxlo0 feet, covered
with snow white mating. OF course, we
had left our shoes at the door downstairs.
Arranged on both sides of the long hall were
beautiful embroidered cushions, and between
each second one was hihachi or warming
box The gathering was an invitation az
fair and the name Of each guest was
placed under the cushion selected for him
according to his rank
At the east end OF the hall were 20 taks
place the historical representations and I was
given prominent location to view the exer-
cises. The hour appointed for the banque.
was $50 p. IN, which is the usual time, and,
like American society, there was the usual
late Corners Squatting upon their appointed
seats were some fifty or sixty gentlemen, ell
smoking and chatting with their neighbors,
and most were dressed in native costume. as
they appreciated its comfort in the exercises
to take place. Those entering the room would
do so at large door on the north side and
Immediately announced their presence by
dropping to their knees and bowling 10 the
floor, and in this position uttering their
words of pleasure in meeting all present,
each sentence being ended by Kissing sound
caused by drawing in of the breath This
sound is intended to convey an acknowledge
ment of the great homer conferred of meet
ing those present and the humility OF the one
using the sound, but as II is used by all as a
sign of respect they ali admit of being very
humble. The moment the guest enters and
drops on his knees all present do likewise
and continue bowling several times After,
1t seems to me, their knees are sore and their
necks are tired, the one entering takes side
squint to see if the others have enough, and.
=
to rise to his feet and walk to his seat with
out further ceremony.
Soon l was startled by great connection
and the prostration of all in the room. Look
ing up, saw young man enter, and kneel-
ing down, returned this marked honor, |
was informed that this was Count Niwa, tho
adopted son and representative OF this old
family, and certainly no more respect could
have been shown to the old daimio himself
Soon after | would notice a servant approach
some old patriarch and deliver message
which he would receive with very low bow
and then approach the young nobleman
This was carried out until all the old retain
ers had been summoned according to rank
Up TO this time it had been stag party,
the ladies, as is customary, being in a separ-
ate room, but noticed the attendants plac-
ing cushions ct the end of the hall and all OF
the party, excepting six who were not retain
ers Of the family, ranging themselves on
their knees III rows. Soon after what proved
to be Lady Niwa and the intended Of the
young lord entered the hall, and instantly all
beads Were touching the floor and remained
there for some time. The ladies on reaching
their seats took the Same position, and, aftes
continued bobbing up and down, their ro-
spects rs body WAS completed, and they re-
sumed their seats. Soon after. a-nd in ac-
cordance to rank, they approached Lady
Niwa and separately paid their individual re-
spocts.
Dinner was now brought in by beautiful
singing girls on lacquer trays, and was OF
great variety and really fine. Before par
taking the usual address was mad ~ q young
Japanese orator that was well received, but
owing TO bad cold did not understand As
soon as he had finished all commenced eating
III the Ego as you pleese' style, which con
sisted Of chatting to your neighbor, smoking
and drinking sai An experience at several
japanese banquets proves to RE that there is
as much enjoyment and pleasure in sending
and receiving the sah CUP MS in the meal IL
self, and is done as follows: Kneeiing before
-
ing, handsomely dressed singing girl. and at
her side saki bottle and bowl Of water.
The meal is commenced by her filing your
cup, which you sip and place at your side,
after which she never offers it unless you
raise your cup to fill Wishing 20 pay COM
pirnent TO the host or friend. and IL is good
form 10 do 30, you reach over, rinse your cup
in the bowl and designate the guest you wish
to honor. Your empty cup h taken by tho
singing girl, and, informing tho party from
whom il came. he raises 1t 20 his forehead,
bows 70 the soor and then holds it out to TO
fIed ind drinks, and IN few moments sends
It back TO you in the came way, when yox
must drink also. .
A dinner means from three TO four hours,
and you can imagine VIXEN they gst warmed
up how often 10 passes, and, as in my case,
baing the only foreigner present, and al AK
ioas to show snss noted hospitality Of tbs
Japanese, you can hardly hare any idea Of
tie number Of cups I slowed away In tbs
cause of enterpriEing journalism AZ . TOXIN
OF resuksrt TO the American, Court Ef~a cams
60 NY seat, introduced himoef and exchanged
cards. found him g most entertaining
young man, speaking English very ver, ard
was eonorsd by hrs company most u trs
evening. Others also paid ms their respecss,
either By word Of moth and ssli, or through
an inserprv.er. but always WITH sard AbEf
tbs stuae Of the nsw noon the singing gtra
began TIER singing of old time songs, which
created great eafhrsiazn; but whsn, Soon
Gtt.r, tie dancing Firn cssDs IN ALTERED n
tie rich costumes Of osd Japan, rsc.ted tbs
ccsds Fl heroes dead aid rona, sc~rs Ct rhs
Cd ssiyer grays cozld nos contain tseza-
salvss, AID jumping 70 their Zee. sounded "a
cid tfrrs war criss.-Cor. Fan Fraacssoo IL.
eatner.