Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-08-31
HONEST WORK.
The Conscient;Ousness Carried Into Gen.
uine Japanese Art.

From the st. Louis Globe Democrat
In Japan whole families of artificers work
together at home; each person performs an al
loted share of the labor. One man may be
deftly fashioning wooden trays, while little
boy rubs them smooth with sand paper and
two daughters lay a glutinous foundation,
which renders the wood impervious to moist
ure. The wife makes designs, the husband in
lays upon them pieces of mother-of-pearl or
ivory, and the grandmother contributes the
counsel born of experience. The Hon. Lewis
Wingfeld says, in 1.-The Wanderings of a
Giobe-Trotter, that he once demurred at the
price of a curiously wrought metal dish,
whereupon the head of the family replied:
Remember that this dish occupied all of us
whom you see sitting here for a period of
eight months. Rent. food and clothes are rep
presented by that work of art. If you consider
the matter in this light you will not find the
dish dear"
Unfortunately, the Japanese have imbibed
the notion that the English and Americans
have great deal Of money and no knowledge
OF art. One day found cunning worker in
metals sitting in deep thought, with corrugated
brow. Some patriotic American millionaire
had given, him carte blanche for the fashion
ing OF an eagle in bronze. He would make a
conventional eagle-a fowl such would do
he inquired. If he were to do his best it
would be labor of years.
1t was not easy to convince him that there
are some Americans capable of approaching a
master piece; but the next time I visited the
capital he was radiant, burning with en-
thusiasm. He had procured a living eagle,
had carefully studied its habits and its atti-
tudes, and was busy on its portrait, feather by
feather.
Before this is finished to my liking" he OBJ
served with a laugh, Il shall have exhausted
the span of life Of many eagles as well as nv
own, perhaps. No matter; there many eagles
to be had, and if 1 die my son will continue
the work"
In another quarter of Toxic dwelt a man
whose speciality was the inlaying Of ivory on
wood. gave him q commission to fashion a
screen, with spray of maple cast across it
the most remarkable foliage tree. both in form
and color, which is to be met with in Japan
In due course of time he produced the object
with proud smiles and many brow-rappings on
the mat. shook my head and frowned.
"I'u none of il" said /; land you, for your
part, ought to be ashamed of yourself"
Somewhat taken aback he nevertheless pro-
ceeded to point out the beauties OF the work
The more he argued the more shook my head,
until, finding he had made a mistake, he sud
denly burst into tears and beat his breast
"Oh, base and wicked man that 1 am" he
groaned
YES" 1 answered grimly. THAT abom-
Unable screen must have been carved when
you were drunk with sake, drowsy after de-
bauch."
turned away and he caught me by the gar
ment
"Have patience with the wicked one," he
moaned, ''and all shall yet be well. Give me
time and there shall be another screen at
which You shall never frown"
After many months the screen was finished.
The maple leaves were Of every color assumed
In autumn by that glorious tree There ware
birds fitting, each feather marvel; cicadas and
praying mantis chung to the bough. 1t was as
delicate and true transcript Of nature as the
hand Of man could accomplish