Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-07-13
JAPAN'S LEGATION,
MINISTER MUTSU AND HIS
WIFE AT THEIR HOME.

Entertainments Made Unique Will
Pretty Little Fancies of Nine
Mutsu and The Minister'S Daueh
ter.
1t IS not SO very many years since
there was but one residence in Washing
ton that belonged to foreign power
that OF the British Legation, which, al
the time 1t was built, was the largest
residence here-and whenever the rep
resentatives of foreign country have
been provided with home of their OWL
here 1t has been deemed q compliment
and token OF respect to our government.
1t was one of the first acts of the Japan.
csc Government to buy a house here fol-
its minister, and its Representatives have
always been men of culture and refine
ment, who were accorded prominent
place In the social world, and the at
taches have been among the most popu,
lar of our diplomats.
The japanese household is one of the
most interesting here, and when its
doors are thrown open to society the
curious rush pell nell for a glimpse of
it. Nine. Kuki, who presided over the
household until about a year ago, was
fond OF society, had her gowns made by
Worth and learned to speak English
while here. She was eminently Asiatic
In appearance, and it was on account of
her failing health that the minister ask
ed to be recalled. The minister's ward.
Miss Kuki, the daughter of Viscount
kuki, is still here, and will remain until
she finishes her education. She is quite
a young lady, although she is not any
larger than fourteen year-old girl.
The present Minister, Mr.. Mutsu, is
typical japanese, 1.-THE, slender, active,
alert, a polished gentleman and deep
thinker. He is swarthy and his ewes
are black as night. He learned to speak
English In Japan, and while he doesn't
speak it fiuently, expresses himself very
well and understands readily. He is a
devoted husband and very proud of his
pretty wife, who has but to look as if
she desired anything to get it. He is in
favor of the highest position for women
and advocates their advancement and
freedom. Mr.. Mutsu was appointed by
the Emperor Governor of Yokohama,
and several years afterwards political
complications arose and he was thrown
into prison, where he was confined for
four years and a half. After the poIiti-
cal upheval he was released. honors
were conferred upon him, and on the
recall of Minister Kuki the Emperor
made him his Minister to the United
States. During his incarnation the
cholera broke out in the prison, and his
wife greatly feared that he would he
victim to it. She then had to care for
his two little boys by a former marriage
and her own infant daughter. She was
then quite young herself, and had little
more experience of life than child.
For the distress she endured then he is
trying to make up now by his tender
care, and his admiration for her courage
and self-reliance is unbounded.
Nine. Mutsu, although she is the !
mother of a daughter taller than her
self, and has not the slightest objection !
to telling her age up to the latest date, |
is very young and girlish- looking; far !
more youthful, in fact, than many a
belle who has been out season or two.
She is by far the prettiest Japanese
lady ever seen in Washington. She is
petite, with pretty, graceful figure,
and the tiniest hands and feet imagin-
able. Her skin is of that smooth, satiny
texture resulting from the hot baths SO
universal IN Japan, and is a clear olive
IN hue; her cheeks are like the damask
rose, and her eyes large and dark and
sparkling with intelligence Her eve
brows are straight and delicately pen
ciled, and her abundant coal black hair
rnlIaI hanl- FROM, hn,. !
cooled on top of her head Her teeth |
are white and even, and her lips are |
full and II pc red. Her expression is |
very quiet, but when she smiles her !
whole face lights up and becomes IA
dent. Unlike most Japanese, her face /
is perfect oval, and in the American |
dress, which she has adopted, one has |
TO look second time to assure himself |
that she belongs to another race. As
one of the ladies in waiting to the En-
press she became accustomed to foreign
dress and liked it.
She has excellent and refined taste in
dress. She dislikes pronounced OF con-
splcuous colors, wearing soft, delicate
,ints herself, and for evening prefers
white. Most of her gowns are made in
ais, pii't alC piSuolll COStlN. one
las natural preference for soft silks of
course. Her diamonds are beautiful,
md the necklace she wears on state oc-
'asions is a most curious piece of work
1t encircles her neck like a
'ollar, and is fashioned of sprays of
lowers and leaves of diamonds that al
most conceal the setting, and almost
caches the top of a low bodice. It had
% be altered several times in order to
get it to fit her slender throat. She
wears it only on very great occasions,
uch as reception at the White House
II state dinner. She has another neck
ace somewhat smaller that answers for
more ordinary wear. She does not often
year decollete gowns, preferring the V
r square neck, and has her gloves reach
he shoulders.
She is a fragile, delicate little creature,
Nth scarcely muscle enough to lift an
chair, and looks with wonder
N American ladies. She rarely walks
Except IN the garden behind the house.
nd has walked on the street but once in
ne daytime (then just around the block !
nth lodrl onl /