Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1892-04-29
DINING IN. JAPAN.
STRANGE DISHES AND CURIOUS
CEREMONIES
a Formal Banquet at which the
Guests sat UpOl Their Heels
-Eating with Chopstic&s
drinking Saki
I y opportunity has been given US


/ III the Providence Journal, to at
tcnd a japanese banquet, one
Of the most unique entertainments that
can be imagined. The invitations read,
"Admiral Enomotto and Admiral Kaba-
yama request the pleasure of your com
pauy on Saturday, February 9th, at a
japanese dinner at 6 O'Clock. Sans
ceremonie.' The dinner was given at
the Maple Club in Toxic, a structure
built in the style Of a japanese tea house,
with orc large room and a few small
ones, and long passages on either side
opening into the rooms by the pretty
sliding doors found in every japanese
house. It was rather distinguished
party-the United States Admiral Of TINS
station and his wife, other naval officers,
members of the Diplomatic Corps, and
other japanese nobility making W thc
party, which numbcrel / thirty.four.
We were met at the entrance by
number Of attendants who, with very
low and gracious boss, took OF our
boots, replacing them by woolen slip
pers. We were then conducted through
long corridor Of polished 1oor to
small dressing room, where we removed
our bonnets and where we found numer-
Gus pretty maids to assist Us in or
finishing touches made before a mirror
belonging to a superb lac clucr toilet
table, richly ornlmented
In few moments We were ushcl into
another small room covered with beauti-
ful mating and whose furniture con-
sisted OF . few cushions lying on the
floor. After the presentations we seated
ourselves upon these low cushions and
were Immediately served with tea, the
inevitable preliminary to every form OF
entertainment in japan. As soon as the
quests were all assembled tic sliding
doors were drawn and the larlc dining
room disclosed to view, brilliantly lightci
by electric lights. o. either side OF the
room were placed fifteen little square
tables, perhaps eighteen inches apart, AM
at the head four tables reserved FOR the
American Admiral and bis wife AMI the
two japanese Admirals, one OF whom
also occupies the position Of Minister Of
Foreign Affairs. The little tables were
about a foo. high, and it was with no
little difficulty that We droppcl down on
oar knees anl thence into tac JApaaese
posture Of sitting on our heels
On each table were placed three fishes,
each filed with looking food.
4 small glass iulcl plate contained thin
slices Of pink raw fish AMI little round
balls Of white fish; on another plate were
melon-shaped pieces Of pressed fish, orna-
mcntcd with a border OF deep pink sweet
mcrnguc, some slices OF wha. appeared
like sausage, aud pieces Of peanut clndy |
very much like ours. \ cup Of sauce
and a PAIR of chopsticSs completed the .
array. We watched the Japanese dig
nitarics on our right ani left, ald saw
them adroitly attack the souo, which was
the first course, making it disappear most .
skillfully with the chops.cXs; we sue
ceedcd in capturing couple Of floating
peas, aud after taxing surreptitous
drink laid down the bowl discouraged.
And now. after vainly attempting to
enjoy tue not tempting array spread be-
fore Us, which some of cur party found
quite palatable, there followed a success
sion Of dishes, composed chiefly Of fish in
various forms, first raw, then cooked.
Almost everything was served in the
japanese bowl with a cover, and on this
occasion they we're all Of exquisite porcc-
lam. We took of ore Of these covers to
find a preparation Of GELS in custard-
like sauce. The raw oysters, served with
a large sweet japanese lemon, were not
unpalatablc. There was kind Of meat,
put up in small round balls, so as to be
easily managed by the chopsticAs, and
that tasted rather like duck The fruits
were orange; and dried persimmons, the
latter not unlike figs, and the repast
cudcd as it had begun, with another
bow. Of soup. There was 10 removal Of
the dshcs, so before the mcll was over
we found ourselves quite hedged in by
quantity of little bowls, with their half
tasted contents, for much liberality was
shown in the serving. Besides each for
oigner was a plate on which was a slice
of roast beef, bread, sandwiches, and
salad, with comfortable looking knife
and fork The drink-scrved most gen
erously-was saki, the liquor of the
country, served hot, and we think our
respective neighbors must have drank
fifty each of the little cups. It is not
polite to drink out of large glasses or
cups. Claret and champagne were also
given TO the guests.
During the dinner there were five in
tervals, during which number Of IA.
nous dancing girls, or "glshas, danced
for US. They were dressed in most
elaborate "kimonos," and their move.
ments were graceful, but not in the least
like dancing in our sense Of the word.
The motions OF their feet were wonder
full. We sat down at $3.50, and at $3.50
the last course was served, and each
guest was completely hemmed in by
plates. And now for an hour the cere-