Los Angeles herald. [volume] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1890-1893, 1890-08-25
FACTS ABOUT JAPAN.
How Much We Can Learn From the
Japanese in the Way OF Decoration.

Japanese in the Way OF Decoration.
From the Boston Transcript.
The japanese are remarkably clearly
people. They wash much. Every
family has conveniences for hot baths.
The tubs are large, and are generally
provided with little side ovens (coppered
chambers) in which charcoal fires heat
the water. In these tubs they parboil
themselves.
The means of illumination are rapidly
changing IN Japan. The tiny wick or
dim flame OF vegetable wax candle is
giving place to kerosene oil. So, too,
the empirical Chinese practice of medi
cine is giving place to the western ra-
tional treatment of disease. The
majority OF the people worship at both
Shin-to and Buddhist shrines. Instead
OF our highly embellished front doors
and elaborate stairways, their entrances
are often of the most indefinite character,
and the stairway a stout stepladder.
The most picturesque feature of the
interior of Japanese house is the
ridge of the roof. This is often very
lofty and artistic affair. Much is also
made OF the veranda, which is generally
three or four feet wide and quite long.
There is also very often balcony above,
and this is ornamented by delicate,
fragile, exquisite work in the way OF
railing. The way in which the fragile
work lasts witnesses two things, viz
that Japan knows little of rough, boist-
erOus children so common among us,
and that their men keep their feet
down. The "vandal" is said to be I'M
known among the gentle Japanese.
They wear no boots or wooden clogs in
doors. There all is quiet and noiseIess.
One hears no banging of doors or clank-
ing over wooden floors. Screens are
gently pushed aside and the mats make
no sound. Dust is almost unknown in
these cool, airy, sunny rooms. Only in
the morning is there clatter when the
wooden screens outside of the veranda,
closed during the night, are unbolted
and pushed back.
The Japanese gateways-
very solid, sometimes quite light-are
usually picturesque. The variety in
design and structure of fences is mar
velous. Among the materials entering
in are "heavy timbers, light boards,
sticks of red pine, bamboo, reed, twigs
and fagots." In the cities many are
quite tall, very ornamental and rest on
stone foundations. A vast amount of
ingenuity is expended in their construc-
ton.
Perhaps in nothing else has Japanese
skill and ingenuity exhibited itself to
such advantage as in landscape garden
ing. Given a small plot of land and a
little time, it will be transformed into
vision OF loneliness. Among its attrac-
tions will be a brook, diminutive water
falls, rustic bridges, ponds, cairn of
stones, a mountain crowned by little
rustic lookout, meandering paths,
shrubs, evergreens and potted plants or
flowers. They are a nation of artists.
The truth of both these statements is
seen in their embroidery, pottery, lac
quers, fans, wall papers and even
bronzes.
The japanese villagers obtain their
water supply by means of wooden wells
sunk in the ground. Much OF the water
of Tokio-the largest city of Japan, COW
ering eighty square miles, and with
population Of 1,200, 000-is brought
twenty-four miles, although there are
many wells in the city, some of which
are 200 feet deep. But much of the well
water is neither cool nor pure. This
matter deserves more attention from the
authorities.
The charm of japanese home-as
Prof. Edward S. Morse so truly points
out in his able and interesting book on
Japanese Homes"-lies in it's cleanli-
ness, refinement and Quaker-like sim
plicity. Our rooms to them seem
'stufy" to the last degree. Their
rooms are devoid of fireplaces, mantels
tables, sldeboards, chairs, desks
and bedsteads, and yet there is
enough to delight the eye. Their
ceilings are maryels of beauty. many OF
their screens are exquisitely beautiful,
the fowerpots and pictured recesses are
charming and the mats are cool and
clean. The effect is excellent, although
SO many things are lacking which to us
seem absolutely indispensable. We
boast of Western civilization entering
Japan. The Indebtedness, however, is
not all on one side. We have learned
some things from them, and have many
more to learn in art and house decora-
ton.
"a THE EJPST AMERICANS