Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-17
JAPANESE ART IN METAL.

Specimens That surpass Anything a the
Kind Produced Elsewhere.
Prom the Springfield Mass Republican
The Japanese have excelled all other people
in the manipulation Of iron.
As an extraordinary example Of the pains
taken in iron working there may here be mem
toned a knife handle (kodzuka) in which a
horse Is represented seen from behind. ON n
surface not three-quarters Of an inch wide. tho
whole figure being not two inches in height
The foreshortening Of this figure Is simplv
marvellous, and there is nothing in il except a
dot of gold for the eye of the horse. The
workmanship is Of great skill and grace.
striking Chinese piece is a bronze vase. OF very
graceful shape, with eight deep swells outward;
on two opposing swells curious cat-like animals.
with names and exaggerated taiis, serve for
handles. The vase is set upon teak bases.
square frepot, whose cover has been lost has
rich designs on the sides A little 6repot in
light yellow bronze has peculiarly Handsome
design In the open-vork cover and the sides Of
cone-shaped fruit and leaves like the bay tree.
There rs teapot in shibuichi which lie fun of
effective grace. An incense burner. which rests
on beautiful teak base In the shape of a leaf.
Is adorned on the top with a creature which IL
something like dog, but has hoofs and head
that looks like an alligator's. The japanese
artists just let their fancies work when Il came
TO details, and many Of the most attractive
pieces In the smith collection seem 70 testify
chleny TO the freakish fancy Of the artist
although without knowing to the bottom the
mingled theogony Of Japan, and all its legends.
one cannot surely express an opinion in these
A number Of figures Of much interest are
also included. One Of these Il undoubtedly Of
hindoo origin. representing some parsonage Of
the Hindoo pantheon. This 10 q figure half re-
Ginning on the right arm, the left arm resting on
the LETT knee, and a curious, half-mockine ex-
PRECISION In the open mouth This Is in very
dark bronze, the eject Of age. A very odd
bit In rich yellow bronze shows q grotesque
person. bent on his left knee. endeayorins with
much strain TO lift upon his shoulders heavily
laden sack which lies behind him. The exprss-
sion on the face IL funny In a notable degree,
his mouth Is wide open, showing his teeth, his
eyes are fairly starting his bu-hy eyebrows and
chin tuft which forms his only whiske1, are
all alike contributive to the humoristic effect.
Another OF these little figures ID the god Bush
mon, in light bronze Of brassy tinge; he h n
wrapped in mantel, thrown over his head; his
WIDE mouth, his furry eyebrows, his wr1nkied
countenance, combine 70 show him very wise
individual But the most curious az an y Q
fat-faced fellow with both hands propped under
his chin, who ID simply tied mp IN blankss
done In double knot on his back. He h Q
riddle Of which we do not possess the solutioa
A small but interesting Bit is evidently q per-
feet likeness OF the Hindoo yogi OF mendicanS
magician; his lean legs, his mssger frsme, whose
ribs can be counted. and the whole physSoe-
nomy are unmistakable. II IL probably noe
dian bronze work III d not 6nisksd IN - -,
exquisite way that the japanese bronnes -.
nor does IL resemble Ne chinss voe1 IN IL
Ina