Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-10-13

lection was purchased from the Corean
exhibit at the worlds fair, another is a
rude bamboo affair from China without
cover, and provided with long supporting
shafts, while third is the elaborate and
valuable Japanese kago presented by To-
kugawa lyeneri, the Shotgun of the Tolug-
ava family, who reigned from 1857 to 1887,
to his daughter at er-marriage. 1t is an
elegant piece of acquer work, decorated
with the family crests of the contracting
Parties. 1t was used only on state occa-
SiOnS, and was borne by six or eight car
rieIS.
Some of the most curious of the musical
instruments belonging to the great collec-
ton in the north hall are Chinese and Japa-
nese pieces. Particularly interesting are
several temple bells from both countries.
There is n big painted Chinese drum re-
sembling those from Siam, and little ones
lacquered. and shaped like hour glasses
are several big "harps,'' lutes, guitar like
pieces. a ducimer and very rude fRidles
The fiddle is of Comparatively modern in
PRODUCTION, and is thought by some schol-
airs to have come into China from India.
Presented to Gen. Grant.
Gen. Grant was given some interesting
specimens by the Mongolians, which are
deposited in the museum. Suspended from
the roof is a great red satin banner. dis
playing in gilt Chinese characters an ad-
dress to the Illustrious American by the
Chinese merchants Of Hong Kong. From
the japanese he received twenty three
pieces of ancient and fifteen of modern
coin. mostly in gold. The ancient pieces
Sixteenth and seventeenth centuries) are
alloys Of gold and silver and are thin, ex-
pansive and of various outlines. OF the
modern gold coins there are one. two,
five. ten and twenty-yen pieces. A gold
yen is equivalent to an American dollar.
The copper pieces lone sen or more) are
larger than the American for like denomi-
nations. The smallest coin Is one rim IS
mild.
A large case Is devoted TO a thorough
exposition of the Japanese lacquer indus
try. The marvellous Capron collection of
lacquer ware has been for some months a
little out of order. but some time In the
course of the alteration now in progress the
fine vases and the elaborate flower and bird
group fabricated from gold and silver will
rest upon lacquer ware pedestals This metal
work group alone, Ii is claimed, would
bring $4,000 in market. The robe chest
formerly belonging to the Tycoon is one Of
the finest representative pieces Of the work
of old Japanese artists extant. One of the
smaller but very interesting pieces is a
superb gold lacquered fire brazier or hibachi.
This article of furniture Is the hearth of
the japanese home and Is always present
in some form, often in fantastic shapes
Japanese of all ages and both sexes smoke,
using pipe with a tiny bowl which is
lighted at the brazer. Great dexterity is
acquired in the art of rolling a pellet to fit
the bowl and the pellet will be consumed
with one or two puffs. After leaving the
United States bureau of agriculture Mr.
Capron, in the japanese service enjoyed
unrivaled facilities for the gathering of this
material at the most advantageous terms,
yet he Is said to have expended $4,000
Congress offered $4,000 for the collection.