The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-12-05
JAPANESE SCENES.
ODD AND INTERESTING SIGHTS SEEN
BY A TRAVELLER.

ofSuhjcction-ThcG cishi Girls and Their
Beautiful Dancing.
The japanese pedestrians who are not
barefoot wear wooden clogs, or pattens.
Or straw sandals. In either case they arc
kept on by cord 'hich passes between
the great toe and the others, the stock
ings being made TO accommodate, like
mitten, the great toe in place of the
thumb. The pattens are raised two or
three inches from the ground by cross
pieces under them four inches apart, and
they make n great Gathering. especially
IN crossing bridge or wooden platform.
The majority of the Japanese men of the
common sort are bareheaded in the street.
The women never have any other cover
ing on the head than their deliberately
dressed hair, always very black very
smooth and very abundant. Frequently,
though, in these days. the japanese man
who still wears the native costume sur
mounts it with a derby hat, which pro-
duces a peculiar effect
One of the first things which strike
stranger is the manner in which the ba-
bies are carried. We see men, women
and children with babies on their backs.
1t is not uncommon to see girl of 6 or
B years with baby brother or sister
strapped on her shoulders. Thus incum-
bered the children walk about, play at
games, stop to look at puppet shows, and
do what they please, without appearing
to feel the burden. The babies are apt
to be asleep, and their heads swing about
until you wonder that their necks are
not broken. Tho children all seem to be
merry and amiable. Very seldom is one
seen either cross or noisy. wish the
good missionaries who are beginning to
swarm in the country would send home
the secret of the excellent behavior of
the children.
AS rule, the young and middle aged
women are quite good looking, subject
to the peculiarities of their type. They
have smooth, round faces, often with
fresh color, liquid black eyes, exquisite
hands and well rounded arms Their
feet are not so attractive, being spread
out by the use of clogs or pattens. This
footgear tends to give them ungraceful
gaits-a sort of waddle-and it is con-
sldered the correct thing to toe in. Their
costume, almost always becoming rs to
materials and color, makes them look
little dumpish. This is especially the
effect of the great bow of the belt or obi
worn on the small of the back rs much
as foot square In most cases the faces
wear amiable, contented expressions.
The women of Japan are much better
treated than their sisters in other east
ern nations, but they are considered dis
tinctly inferior to the men and are
taught from their earliest childhood ODE
dience-frst, to their parents; then to
h,,ch op
when they become the heads of their
households. But this does not appear to
weigh upon the Japanese woman. She
is cheerful, docile and contented with
her lot, happy to serve in the station ap-
pointed her, with simple tastes and good
digestion, and politeness which never
fails They are said to be good house
keepers, always observant of their du-
ties, but the simplicity of their house
keeping relieves them of great meas
ure of the care which wrinkles the brow
of the New England housekeeper
Their houses, even the best of them,
are the simplest structures imaginable,
containing almost nothing of what we
call furniture, and their dresses require
40 art i'll their cutting and manufacture.
Thus the two great causes of worrment
from which our women suffer do not ex-
list for these simple creatures.
We had heard SO much about tho gel
sha girls that we We're curious to extend
our chronological Investigations in this
direction. Soon after our arrival in IO-
kohama arrangements We're made by an
experienced friend for function ut one
OF the best tea houses in the city. We
started at Sp IN, five of us, each in a
linrlkisha, for IL ride to the place ap-
pointed, about a mile from our hotel
We went off at brisk trot, each human
nag carrying paper lantern. Through
the crowded streets, around the corners,
with sharp warnings, we Jared, and in
10 minutes brought up at our rendez-
vous. We were received with low sa-
iaams, and after exchanging our boots
Tor soft oversocks, We're conducted to q
spacious room, inclosed by paper pan
eled partitions. Here we sat down on
silk cushions abont 10 inches square. At
the side of each was placed bibachi, a
small box containing IL live coal imbcd-
ded III ashes TO furnish Il light for pipe
or cigar.
buXom attendant approached with
tea Things, madea low prostration, while
her face touched the floor, and most
gracefully served tea for us. She also
brought us fruit and cakes. every step of
the process punctuatcd by a low bow. To
this preparation succeeded six girls.
quite pretty, neatly dressed in soft Grape
costumes, with smiling faces. Two were
to play the salnisen. a sort of guitar and
the others were the dancers. All squat
al