Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-12-31
Correspondence Of The Evening Star.


TOKYO, Nov. 20 1892
DROFOUND BELIEVERS AS THE JAP
Il anese are in free trade-theoretically if not
practicaly-the return of President Cleveland
to the White House has been very favorably
commented upon by the japanese press. The
JVt Shimpo. Tokyo's greatest daily and the
ardent imitator of the London Times, predicts
that this will still further cement the friendship
existing between Japan and the United States,
for manufacturers here groan under the heavy
dues imposed on such essentially important
products as porcelain, silk handkerchiefs and
other fabrics and the long line of pretty and
tasteful things that come under the heading of
| 'curios." Speaking Of silk in particular. this
year has seen the largest export of any year in
the last decade. As much as 81 600 per bale
for first-class failures has been paid and though
| the market is now comparatively empty, every
| thing Of higher grade having long since been
| exported. good hanks and re-reels still COM
mand 1850 to $3.50 per bale. Silk being one of
the CHIEF industries Of this country. this active
demand has had most salutary effect on the
empire at large, and trade has been quite brisk
The rice crop is also far above the average.
FINE POTTERY FOR THE FAIR.
The greatest interest is everywhere shown in
| the worlds Columbian exhibition at Chicago.
This is not only sttributableto the comparatively
very large appropriation $500 900 Japanese sill
yer currency made by the government in or
der to exhibit Japan's finest manufactures in a
betting manner. but also owing to the indie
| fatigable l,bors OF Mr.. De Guerviile of Chicago
and Mr.. L. Winston Of the same city, the latter
gentleman having given fresh impulse 20 the
work Of preparing high-c!ass exhibits. The
| finest cloisonne porcelain ever made will be
shown next year at Chicago, as well as perfect
and wonderful specimens of asahi-yaki, or
rising sun" pottery. The latter is the inven-
tiou of German ceramic specialist for many
years in the employ Of the Japanese govern
ment, and consists in porcelain with a roseate
| flush or tint, the nearest possible countcrpart
of the million hues of the 'rosv-fngered morn a"
In the one city Of Nagoya there are no less
than ffty-three large manufacturing firms
DESTROYS Of exhibiting their porcelain,
and Of these at least thirty will ship
to Chicago. 1 spent two or three days in
this fine old city recently, and had the oppor-
tunity OF inspecting a number of the finest
specimens about to be forwarded. They were
stored in hinge fre-proof ''godorns" and were
interesting from a practical standpoint were
some lamp shades traced in various colors and
decorated with dainty and exquisite pictures of
birds and flowers in relief. Mr.. Takito, the
chief porcelain manufacturer of Nagoya. will go
to Chicago. He has been appointed an hon
broad and practical views that his fellow manu-
facturers have taken such an active interest in
the coming worlds fair. He informed me that
the porcelain sent from Nagoya alone would fal
not short of $780, 600 in value.
Equal energy is shown By manufacturers in
Osaka. the most prosperous If not the largest
city 1.2l5. 600 inhabitants) in Japan. But here
as elsewhere L was met with the complaint that,
generous as IL the appropriation made by the
government and spacious as the japanese build
ing will be. literally hundreds of would-be ex-
hibitors will not be able to send their wares to
Chicago on account of the lack of space A
large number of merchants have therefore con-
cluded to rent, if possible. suitable buildings in
the lake city and there exhibit despite the fact
that they can hope for no assistance from head
quarters, and that anything like medal or
diploma of honor is. of course out of the aues-
ton. Some enterprising foreigners in Yoko-
hama, 1t is said have obtained space in various
parts of the world fair buildings. and this they
are letting out in small lots to such Japanese as
can afford to pay the almost prohibitive price
There is no lack of eager renters.
AN ARTISTIC BEER EXHIBIT.
The exhibit of the Asahi beer brewery of
Osaka will be very striking. The company are
making huge barrel or vat in Japanese styIe.
and this is to be lacquered in black and gold.
| representing the huge building in which the
beer-a very excellent one by the by-is brewed
to give their sanction to number Of Japanese
products, including wines and other liquors,
canned goods and patent medicines For be it
known that Japan is in nowise behind the most
| enlightened" countries in the production of
''cure-alls." Some of them. however, are really
beneficial, notably the health food. and an
IRON tonic, rejoicing in the style of ..salutary
which has received a gold medal from
the japanese government For of all
modern sciences medicine has made the
greatest progress in Japan, and has awakened
the most intelligent interest Dr. Otis of New
York. who recently visited this capital, was
feted in the most gratifying manner and
seemed greatly impressed with the excellence
of the local hospitals and medical schools
Among other exhibits the hand-woven carpets
Of Messrs. Fujlmoto, Shotaro L Co. Of Sakai
are exceptionally beautiful. The largest speci-
men to be forwarded, a velvety fabric measur-
ing 8x12 feet, has taken ten weavers six months
to produce and is a miracle of patient skill and
artistic finish. Nay, even the printers Of Japan
are going to exhibit. The great Tenkiji type
foundry will send some Of its best specimens
Of work, especially its "antimony types" and
art gravures. The Shueisha. the largest print
ing establishment in the empire q. 900 work
men employed), will also forward specimens Of
color printing and artistic rule work.