Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-23
A JAPANESE PUBLISHER.
He IL Visiting the Printing Establishments
of This Country


of This Country.
The alert-looking little gentlemen with intel
ligenee written all over his face who is raying
Washington a short visit is Mr.. Sahei Ohashi
from Tokyo, Japan- Mr.. OhGshi is the head of
one of the most remarkable business houses in
the world and 20 him is due the credit of max
ing it possible fo- his cOuntrymen to procure
literature at reasonable rates. His concern is
known Haxubunkwan. which means literary
storehouse, and is a publishing house of which
any nation should feel proud.
REVOLUTION IN PRINTING.
In Japan all publications used in former
days to be engraved on wood; but when, six
and-twenty years ago. modern European in
stitutions were introduced a consequence Of
the opening Of the country, type printing came
into practice and has ever since spread very
rapidly. Hakubunkwan is the largest pub
Usher of books and periodicals in the whole
country. 1t has published many complete col
lecsions in the same style similar publica-
tons in Europe and America, for instance:
The Imperial Library. embracing wide range
of subjects; A Complete Course of Lectures on
Politics. Law and Economy by specialists IN
their several departments; Complete
Library of Japanese Literature. which
includes all old japanese literature;
Complete Library of Japanese Odes,
Complete Library of General Literature,
Complete Collection of Books for Children. A
Complete Library OF Chinese Literature. A
Hundred Manuals An Encyclopedia of General
Education, A Complete Educational Library,
Complete woman's Library. A Library Of
Oriental Literary Accomplishments. Juvenile
Literature. A Library of Agriculture. the Jap
enese Library. Onchi Sosho "a collection OF
rare and interesting works.. the Commercial
Library. A Complete Japanese Law Library. A
Complete Series of Universal History and An
Encyclopedia Of Arts and Sciences. Besides
these there are many special works bearing on
ancient and modern history. Literature. morals.
political economy. law and politics. as we'll
many hundred TRANSACTIONS OF European and
American works.
EXTENT OF HIS TRAVELS.
The proprietor Of this great concern. which
employs over 5 .OC0 persons. is now making tour
OF the world in order to study the methods OF
publishers in this country and Europe. Yester-
day he paid visit to the government printing
Office and the local papers From this city Mr.
Ohashi goes to New YORK and then back TO
Chicago. Mr.. -Ohashi does not speak English
himself. ou. il accompanied by young man
named Hiraiwa. a student az Palo Alto Univer-
sity. who acts ~ interpreter. The Jravelercon-
templates writing book on his experiences on
his return TO his native land
DELIGHTED WITH EvEEyTHISG-
NJ Ohashi called at The STAE Office last
evening after he had made his visits to the DIFF
fe-en. government departments and expressed
himself as delighted with everything that he
hal seen lie spOAe particularly of the gov
eminent printing Office. and referred to the
magnitude of the establishment, but appeared
TO be somewha. surprised that there were not
more of modern appliances employed In the
way o. type-settinG machines and things OF
that kind As he Is printer ant, pubhsner him.
self ne was. perhaps. more interested, he SAID.
in thar building than iaanv other that re visited
Referring to his own Publishing house he spoke
of the work that he now had IN process of issue.
which will COMPRISE. when completed. hfty
volumes and which will sell as, he saws, for
about so in our money per SET This Is
sor. Of an encyclopedia or 'rather
library OF information. and gives his
tory Of all the internal wars Of the different
factions Of Japan, with biographical sketches OF
the different prominent leaders upon oetn
sides 1t is q work that has required the
greatest labor and research and is considered
the most important publishing venture ever
undertaken in Japan. In referring to the ma
terial used by him in his business ne says that
generally the average paper used here 10 better
Than that employed in Japan, because in this
country the people have more money and are
better able TO pay for expensive papera and bind
ing than they are in Japan In some OF the
editions de luxe. however. which he has issued
he thinks that the material employed is as fine
as any that is used here
PLEASED WITH WASHINGTON.
He spoke OF the favorable impression that ne
had derived from his rides and walks about
Washington, ard said that he considered this
the ideal city of residence thar ne had visited.
He had really examined but three ciries-Chi-
caSo New York and Washington-and OF these
three he gave Washington the palm so far as
beauty Of situation and charm OF climate was
concerned He also referred to the number OF
elegant private residences. to the symmetrical
plan in which the city laid out, to the
many parks and trees which added beauty to
its appearance. and sand that no city could have
been selected for the capital OF this great ma
ton that had more natural advantages. 10
these advantages have been added all the
beauty that intelligent engineering science
could give
Mr.. Ohashi said that he proposed to visit
PHILADELPHIA. Boston and other prominent
cities in this country before his return He
regretted that his tour could not be extended,
and was especially sorry that he could not re-
main longer in Washington. which he would be
compelled to leave probably tomorrow This
visit to the United States, however. has only In
creased his desire 20 see more of this country,
and he will undoubtedly make another visit
here before long.
DrscREDrrs THE RCMoRs AS TO TROUBLES.
He was asked in reference to the report OF
difficulties with American missionaries in
Japan. and said that he was disinclined to be-
heve the rumors as to attacks upon these mis-
things were perfectly quiet and there had al
WAYS been a kindly feeling on the part of his
people for the American missionary. He said
he would hesitate to believe the rumors with
regard to attacks upon these missionaries with
out stronge- confirmation than there appeared
to be at present
Mr. Ohashi is a man rather above the average
height Of the Japanese people, with strongly
marked. intellectual features. high, broad
forehead. keen eyes and a chin denoting firm
ness and determination of character he Is
man apparently somewhat O<er fifty years OF
age, with hair just beginning to tJ,-n gray. but
he is quick and active in his movements and in
dicates full possession of the most vigorous
faculties. Although he speaks no English, he
listens atteutively to the, conversation with ms
interpreter and in his manner Is easy, polite
and graceful
An Art Exhibit in Vienna.
The Department of State has been informed
by the Austro-Hungarian minister at this capt.
tai that the Society of the Arts of Painting and
Snrl,tnro N, Vienna has the intention of cele-