Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-04-02
sWoRE RY THE sWoRp.

Ahe SWoru aS personal adOrnment, worked out in the highest forms of decoration, occupies a conspicuous niche in the annal of Japanese history.
 1t was part and parcel of the etiquette of this polite nation, being a distinguish ing insignia of rank.
 With the wearing of the sword in Japan is coupled much of the poesy, romance and intrigue of past centuries. The Japanese lovers swore by their swords. Itwas an implement of fashion with the men of noble blood, as was the fan with the high-born women a weapon of coquetry.
 Only by governmental permission were swords worn in Japan up to within the last fifty years, and the various types of swords in vogue represented imperial orders, significant of grade in rank or distinguishing marks of royal esteem for services rendered. Only the elect of the kingdom were vouchsafed the right of sword-wearing, and it was punishable offense for any aspiring plebeian to adopt the side-arm, however great his wealth.
 It is a curious, though truthful, leg end of Japanese sword-making that adeptness in the various forms of fine artisanship descended from father to son through generations. A worker of gold or an inlayer of metals would be descended through hundreds of years of kindred craftsmen. Itwa talent that seemed inborn, and the same sign has remained over Japanese workshop of this character for several centuries. That which is of art coassociated with the formalities of the times is of especial interest to the men of high life that may indulge in the fads of connoisseur- ship their wealth affords them. They plume themselves as students of the social ceremonies in so far as the prac- tical later-day amenities will permit holding at the same time the traditions of gallantry and courtliness in marked esteem.
 For these swords-every one of which has story, aside from its beauty and antiquity, to commend it-they will naturally feel a keen sympathy. Specimen blades of the fourteenth, fifteenth, sixteenth, seventeenth and eighteenth centuries will be shown in this rare collection and close study of the artistic scabbards and sheaths in precious metal, lacquer and wood will be invited and will fulsomely reward those who can appreciate the objects, for a painstalzing scrutiny.
 I The subterfuges resorted to by some of the decrepit old voluptuaries of the more decorative epochs would put to blush the most advanced nineteenth century falzir of the stage. Tottering and bent with the excesses of luXuri- ous regime, these aged gallants, who would not yield up their symbols of rank or glamour of ensemble, found way to keep up appearances, as the re- searches of the sword collection have disclosed.
 Some of the more ponderous-looking weapons, bearing the most elaborate establishment, coupled with a sugges- ton of ornate heaviness, and made of wood or hollow metal, were worn by the aged gallants of the day, who, un- able to support the weight of the dip lomatic side-arms, sought this expedi- ent as measure of keeping up appear ances. These examples are by no means the least interesting phase of the collection.
 In 1859, when Japan was opened to foreigners, extraordinary changes in the methods of government almost obliterated the old feudal system, with it's artistic associations. The passing of | nances of pomp and pageantry-the cherished Side-arm-waS compassed but too readily under the altered condition of affairs. The grandees, old and young, destroyed or made away with them, rather than that they should fall into unappreciative hands. The rarest specimens left were speedily culled by astute amateurs or preserved by the state.
 By this and other means that need not be recounted 1t is we'll nigh impos- sible to-day to make fine collection of swords, sword-guards and metal mountings.
 The sword-guard (tsuba), by the way, artistically considered, is the chief part of the weapon, for its decorations form the leading motive of all other orna- mentation of the arm. It consists of a flat piece of metal, circular or irregular in shape, pierced in the center by a nar- row lanciform aperture.
 There also swords that have dagger set into the handle or the upper portion of the scabbard. They are for service at close quarters and were used with the deadliest effect.
 The range of the uses of the sword will indeed run the gamut of the emotions of artistic Japan in its most exquisite epochs. It was an implement of torture; it was the chosen subject of many an idyl o1 Japanesque sentiment. The swells o1 Japan took precedence by their swords and grew chivalrous in the indictment ; of their utility for gory deeds into 6 fnical observance of the courtesies, SC that duels and street fights were in : dulged in upon the slightest provocation to the portent that the nobility was be coming rapidly decimated; first at the hands of one another and then, If out ot royal favor, at the hands of the state. It was not, as a matter of fact, unti
 several prominent foreigners had beer
 slain that an edict went forth from tht