The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1893-02-11
WORK IN IRON.
Remarkable Skill OF the Japanese In
Manipulating the Metal.

Remarkable Skill OF tho Japanese In
Manipulating the Metal.
The Japanese have excelled all
other people In the manipulation Of
iron. As an extraordinary example
OF tho pains taken In iron working
there may be here mentioned knife
handle (kodzuka) In which horse is
represented seen from behind. On u
surface not three quarters OF an inch
wide tho whole being not two inches
In height The fore, shortening OF
this figure is simply marvellous and
there Is nothing In 1t except a dot OF
gold for the eye OF the horse. Tho
Workmanship Is OF great skill and
grace.
A striking Chinese piece IL bronze
vase OF very graceful shape. with
eight deep swells outward; on two op.
posing swells curious cat-like animals.
with names and exaggerated tails
serve for handlea The vase Is set
upon teak bases. A square tire.pot
whose cover has been lost has rich
designs on the sides. A little yellow
bronze has u peculiarly handsome de-
sign In the open WORK cover and the
sides OF a cone shaped fruit and leaves
like the bay tree. There is a teapot
in Shibuichi which is full OF effective
grace. -~~p
An incense burner which rests on
o beautiful teak base 10. the shape OF
q leaf Is adorned on top with crea-
ture which Is something like dog
but has hoofs and head that looks
like an alligators The japanese art
lists just lot their fancies work when it
comes 10 details and many OF the
most attractive pieces In the Smith
collection seem to testify chiefly TO
the freakish fancy OF tho artist al
though without knowing 10 the bot,
tom the mingled theogony OF Japan
and all It's legends ono cannot surely
express an opinion in these matters.
A number of figures OF much In
terest are also included. One OF these.
is undoubtedly OF Hindoo origin.
representing some personnge Of the
Hindoo pantheon. This Is Il figure
half reclining on the right arm the
left arm resting GU the left knee. and
q curious half-mocking expression
in the open mouth This Is in very
dark bronze the effect Of age A
very odd bit in rich yellow bronze
shows a grotesque person. bent on
his left knee endeavoring with mu III
stra'r to lift upon his shoulders u
heavy-laden sack which lies behind
him
~ The expression OF the face Is funny
In no.able degree; his mouth is
wide open. showing his teeth. his
eyes are fairly starting out his
bushy eyebrows and chin tuft which
forms his only whiskerS are all alike
contributive To the .humOristic effect
Another OF these little figures is the
god ..Bishmon in light bronze of
q brassy tiuge; he Is all wrapped in
a mantle thrown over his head. his
wise mouth. his furry eyebrows his
wrinxled countenance combine to
show him very wise individual.
But the most curious OF all is a fat
faced fellow with both hands propped
under his chin. who is simply tied up
IN blanket done In double knot on
his back He is riddle OF which we
do not possess the solution. A small
but interesting bit is evidently q per-
feet likeness OF the Hin1oo yogi or
mendicaut magician: his lean legs
his meagre frame whose ribs caa be
counted and tho whole physiognomy
are unmislakable 1t Is probably not
only Hindoo subject but speci-
man OF Indian bronze work-it is not
finished in the Same exquisite way
that the Japanese bron es are. nor
does it resemble tho Chinese work in
this line