Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-08-17

Elgin reopened it, about 80 years ago.
JAPAN's NEW ERA.
The railroads, of which more than dozen
have been constructed, some by the Govern
meut, some by private enterprise; the Il, ,oOO,
miles of telegraph wire, conveying annually
over 1000, 900, messages in Japanese, ana
about 20, 900 in foreign languages; the I'm.
portation of foreign professors and ideas az
the university; of foreign teachers OF mill
tary tactics, medical science and legai IN
stitutions; the obligatory introduction In
court circles, in the police corps and the
army of foreign dress-these and thousand
other innovations have created such pow
erful ferment that the Japanese customs will
never again be allowed to settle into their
old state. and those who wish to see any
thing OF old Japan will, therefore, have to
make haste and come before 1t is too
late. The gaudily-colored paper lam
terms will soon be replaced by electric
light, and the electric street car will soon
decimate the energetic, indefatigable jim
ricksps men who now draw natives and
foreigners along the street on their kurumas,
those curious little vehicles, half way be-
tween buggy and baby carriage, which
were introduced in Japan only 20 years ago,
and now exist in countless numbers. Their
disappearance, in the cities at least, will
hardly be regretted, for although they travel
almost as fast as carriages, it costs about
80 cents to go five miles on them, while in
American cities you can 60 five to ten miles
on street cars or elevated roads for cents.
PURELY A JAPANESE SHOW.
The manager had, however, visited sew
eral recent European exhibitions, and
nodded the present one on those, SO that
the general impression OF the present eIhl-
bition is European rather than Jananese,
and tits only when one looks closely at the
contents OF the showcases and stands that
the purely japanese coloring of the exhibits
becomes apparent. Here are room after
room of the finest lacquer goods; vases of
all sizes and the most exquisite texture and
ornamentation; teacups that the most in
fatuated lover would deem fit to touch his
sweetheart's lips; screens and fans on which
Japanese life is illustrated better than in
apy book-and most of these things at prices
shat would make American bargain hunters
wild with delight.
And a pity it is that they cannot have
access to them, for owing to partial failure
of the last rice crop, money is scarce, visitors
to the exhibition are not 30 numerous as on
previous occasions. and less willing to buy.
Some of the exhibitors staked all their hard
earned savings on this opportunity to dis
pose of their goods; but while the estimated
value OF the exhibits is $500, 900, only about
500, 900 worth have been sold, which leaves
these dealers and artists in sad plight
There were about $50, 900 visitors during the
first three months. or q daily average of
about S,S40, including foreigners holding
special invitations and other dead-heads;
but as season tickets were only 81 each. and
a single admission only Z cents (15 on Sun
days) the income for general expenses was
not excessive. The higher admission price
asked on Sunday is to give the upper classes
better chance to see without mixing with
the crowds, for whom. Saturday is the great
day.
SUNDAY NO HOLIDAY.
Foreign influence has not yet extended
80 far as to make Sunday q general holiday.
Work goes on, and shops are open as usual.
except that at Yokohama the custom house
and the foreigners stores are closed. In
general, it must be said that this exhibition,
which is like curio store on a vast scale,
including industrial products of all kinds,
and thus giving an insight into Japanese
wavs of living, is emipently successful, and
deserved better fate financially.
The only department which is disappoint-
ing is the art gallery. In commenting on
the difficulty of getting sight of good Japan
the country, and generally belong to wealthy
individuals, to whom one must get ceremon-
ious and time-robbing letters of introduc-
ton, Mr.. La Fargo remarked to me few
months ago in New York that he felt
tempted to revisit Japan this summer, chief
ly for the opportunity of seeing many of
these works of art brought under one ROOT
He would not, however, have attained his
object, for there are hardly dozen can
vases of special merit in the present collec-
ton. Both the old and the new schools are
represented, but the screen-shaped pictures
still predominate over the modern square
canvases. Birds and flowers have always
been the most successful province of Japan
ese artists, but there are also few good
landscapes and scenes from domestic life.
In comparing these pictures with a similar
collection in America the most striking
difference, as regards subjects, lies in the en-
tire absence of the nude in Japanese art
THE MIKADo AT THE SHOW.
It was announced in the local papers a
few days ago that the Mikado and the EN-
press would preside over the distribution of
prizes awarded by the judges of the eIhibi-
ton. A large pavilion had been erected,
capable of holding several thousand in
vited guests. The Mikado's throne was on
one side, and sloping platform covered
with white mating led up to ii. On both
sides oi the throne a few rows of European
chairs had been placed for the japanese
Ministers, the foreign ambassadors and
members OF the ppess. The thousands out
side of this charming circle had to stand
as was BETTING in the august presence o
the Mikado, the ambassadors and the news
paper men (the Empress had been preve nted
BY illness from appearing).
81 found my colleagues of the japanese
press very affable and courteous, To see
two American journalists bow to each other
until their heads were on level with their
lowest coat buttons would hardly seem ma
tural; here it is the usual mode of salutatiou
at every meeting. Like most of the other
Japanese, they were in full dress-swallow-
tail. white tie and high silk hat. tbougb the
performance began at 9 o'clock in the morn
ing. This may strike you as ludicrous, and
it is so. There is something ludicrous in
the dress coat itself, but the time of the day
when it is worn has nothing to do with il.
WITH GERMAN MUSIC.
The arrival of the Mikado in his fine coach
was beralded by the Royal brass band. which
played the Japanese national hymn with
German harmonies, on German instruments
and followed it up at intervals with
european uhnCe music, CURIOUS preferences
being shown for the polka rhythm. As the
Mikado walked up to his throne the as
sembled thousands bowed their heads. The
cheers with which European Royalty is re-
ceived are unknown to the Japanese, but an
attempt was made to applaud the
Mikado in the foreign manner of hand
clapping when be sat down, and after he
had read his address; but this did not seem
to meet with general approval, the general
feeling being apparently that solemn silence
was the most becoming way of receiving a
monarch who traces his royal ancestry back