The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-12-10
MATSUYAMA MIRROR.
A WONDERFUL JAPANESE DEVICE
THAT PUZZLES SCIENTISTS.
Images Reflected Through Metal-A Jap
anese Fairy Tale That Will he Enjoyed
Around Every American Fireside-How
. Mother Lived In . Mirror.
Especial Correspnndence.1

Arcuao livery american flreS1Oe-hoW
Mother Lived In Mirror.
Especial Correspordence.1
YOKOHAMA, Nov. 14-Among the many
marvellous things to be seen in this
country of narvels that first attract the
attention of the foreigner is the Japanese
mirror. Its popularity consists in the fact
that it is made Of metai-generally OF
bronze-coated on the front with an ANAL
polishes. that but for its weight it might be
mistaken for an ordinary looking glass.
The back is adorned in relief with flowers.
birds or Japanese characters which extend
to the handle and the general appearance
Is that of handsome metal fan.
That which is most extraordinary about
the mirror. however. is the quality it pos
sesses of rejecting aiuminous image OF the
design on the back. In other words, the
sunlight seems TO penetrate the metal and
display the figures that are otherwise hid
den from view. The attention of men of
science has long been attracted to the phe-
nomenon, but no explanation heretofore
given has proved satisfactory. The conseu-
s6s of opinion is that the effect is produced
by an unequal convexity resulting from
the manipulation of an iron tool accompa-
MED by the application of mercury.
In connection with these mirrors. the
Japanese have pretty fairy tale and be-
cause of the poetical thought it conveys,
and the pleasure it may afford TO young as
we'll as old. send you the following free
translation as it has been given TO me By
one of the English residents here:
A long time ago there lived in quiet
spot young man and his wife They had
one child, a daughter. to whom they were
greatly attached, and their home was
known as Matsuyama. beautiful village
in the province of Echigo. II so happened
that the father was obliged to 60 TO the
great city of Toxic, the capital of Japan.
The mother, never having been farther from
home than the next town, could not help
being frightened at the thought of her hus-
band making snch q long journey, yet she
was proud of the fact, for he was the first
man III all that country side who had been
to the big town where lived the emperor.
At last the time arrived for his return,
and dressing the baby in its best clothes
and arraying herself in the pretty blue
gown which she knew her husband liked,
she waited to give him welcome. And
when he came, how the little girl clapped
her hands and laughed with delight over
the beautiful toys her fat her brought. And
for yoIi," he said to his wife, Il have
brought this. 1t is called a mirror. Look
and tell me what you see inside"
He gave to her a plain, white wooden
box, in which on opening it she found a
round piece of metal. One side was white
like frosted silver and ornamepted with
raised figures of birds and flowers. The
other was as bright as the clearest crystal.
The young mother looked into it with de-
light and astonishment, for from its depths
was looking at her with parted lips and
bright eyes smiling happy face.
What do you see?" asked the husband,
gratified at her establishment. II see a
pretty woman looking at me. She moves
her lips as if she was speaking, and-dear
me, how odd, she has on blue dress just
like minep why, you silly woman, it's
your own face that you see" said the hus-
band, proud of knowing something that
was new to his wife. THAT round piece of
metal is called mirror, and everybody in
the great city has one. although we have
not seen them in this country place before"
The wife was charmed with the present.
cious for every day use, so she shut it up in
its box again, putting it away carefully
among her most valuable treasures.
Years passed on and the husband and
wife continued to live happily. The JOY of
their life was their little daughter, who as
she grew up became the very image of her
mother. The latter, mindful Of her own
passing vanity on finding herself so lovely,
10 h e..
ing that the use of it might breed spirit
of pride in her little girl She never spoke of
it, and rs for the father ne had quite forgot
ten the circumstance. So it happened that
the daughter grew UP as simple as the
mother had been, knowing nothing of her
own good looks or of the mirror which
would have reflected them.
After awhile, however, a terrible misfor-
tune occurred in this happy little family.
The good mother fell sick, and though
waited upon with loving care by day and
night she grew worse and worse until at
last the sad announcement was made that
she must die. Calling the girl to her. the
mother said: My darling child. / must
soon pass away and leave you and your IA
tber alone, but / want from you promise.
Here is what is called a mirror" taking IL
from its hiding place and handing il to her
daughter Promise me that you will look
into this mirror every night and morning,
for there you will see me and know that
your mother is still watching over you"
The Child promised with many tears. and
the mother, being now calm and resigned,
soon after died. Obedieut and dutifui, the
daughter never forgot her mothers last re-
quest, and each morning and evening took
the mirror from it's box and looked at it
long and earnestly. There soc saw. as she
supposed, the bright and smiling vision Of
her lost mother Not pale and sickly as ia
her last days, but the beautiful young
mother Of long ago. To her at night she
told the story of the trials and difficulties
Of the day and 10 her ia the morning looked
for sympathy and encouragement in what
ever troubles might be in store for her
so. day by day, she lived as If in her
mothers sight. striving still to please her
a. she had done in her mothers lifetime,
and careful always 20 avoid whatever might
give her pain or grief. Her greatest Joy
was to look 4 the mirror and say, Mother.
have been today " hat you would wish NE
TO be If you were by my SIDE.
Thus seeing his little dsUghte. every
night and morning looking into the mir
ror holding converse With il. her father ors
day asked her the reason for the strange be-
havior Why. father" she said, Il look
into the mirror every day To see my dear
mother and talk with her. Then sne tod
him Of her mothers dying wish ana how
she never had failed 70 fuIsll IL Touched
by 20 much simplicity gBd such faithful
loving obedience, the father shed tears Of
pity ard affection. bG; ne could not find Il