The Helena independent., 1893-12-18
The MATSUYAMA MIRROR.
A Wonderful Japanese Davies That
Has Puzzled All the
Sclsniis.&
In Connection With It There Is q
Pretty Little Fairy
Tale.
The Dutifui Daust,tor Who Saw the Image
Of Hsr Mother Every Night and
AorainR.
Especial Correspondence

Especial Correspondence
YOKOHAMA, Nov. 14-Among the many
marvellous things to be seen in this
country Of marvcls that first attract the
attention of the foreigner is the Japanese
mirror. Its popularity consists in the fact
that it is made of metal-generally OF
bronze-coated on the front with an ANAL
gam Of tin and quicksilver, and SO highly
polished that but for its weight 1t 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 u handsome metal fan.
That which il most extraordinary about
the mirror, however. is the quality 1t pos
sesses Of rejecting a luminous image Of the
design on the back. In other words, tho
sunlight seems to penetrate the metal and
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 conscn-
sls 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 poctical thought it conveys,
and the pleasure it may afford to young as
well 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, q daughter, to whom they were
greatly attached, and their home was
known as Matsuyama, beautiful village
in the province of Echigo. 1t SO happened
that the father was obliged to go 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 such long journey, yet she
Was proud of the fact. for he was the first
man in 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 father brought. And
for you," he said to his wife, II have
brought this. It is called a mirror. Look
and tell me what you see inside"
He gave to her plain, white wooden
box, in which on opening it she found q
round piece of metal. One side was white
like frosted silver and ornamented 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 astonishment. 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 a blue dress just
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 a mirror, and everybody in
the great city has one, although we have
not seen them in this country place before. I"
The wife was charmed with the present
But the wonderful thing was far too pre-
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,
kept the mirror carefully concealed, fear
ing that the use Of it might breed a spirit
of pride in her little girl. She lsEcr spoke of
it, and as for the father he had quite forgot
ten the circumstance. So it happened that
the daughter grew up RS 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
che must die. Calling the girl to her. the
mother said: my darling child. must
soon pass away and leave you and your IA
ther alone, but want from you promise.
Here is what is called mirror" taking it
from its hiding place and handing it 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. Obedient and dutiful, the
daughter never forgot her mothers last re-
quest, and each morning and evening took
the mirroTfrom it's box and looked at it
long and earnestly. There she saw, as she
supposed, the bright and smiling vision OF
her lost mother. Not pale and sickly as in
her last days, but the beautiful young