Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-01-09
.MATSUYAMA MIRROR.
A Wonderful Japanese Device thai
Puzzles Scientist.
Images Reflected Through Msial-Hew ,
Mother Lived in Z Mirrew.


marvellous things to be seen in this
country Of marvels 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 hut FOR it's weight it might be
mistaken for an ordinary looking glass.
The back is adorned ia relief with flowers,
birds or japanese characters which extend
10 the handle, and the general appearance
is that of Il handsome metal fan.
That which is most extraordinary about
the mirror, however, is the quality it pos
sesses Of rejecting aluminous image OF the
design on the back. In other words, the
sunlight seems to penetrate the metal ana
display the figures that are otherwise ND
den from view. The attention OF men oil
science has long been attracted to the phe-
nomenon, but no explanation heretofore
given has proved satisfactory. The consen-
sus of opinion IL that the effect Is produced
by an unequal conyeXity resulting from
the manipulation of an iron tool accompa-
MED by the application of mercury.
In connection with these mirrors, the
japanese have q pretty fairy tale and be-
cause Of the poetical thought 1T 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 n young man and his wife. They had
one child, daughter, to whom they were
greatly attached, and their home was
known as Matsuyama, Il 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. 1t 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 a
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 establishment, for from its depths
was looking at her with parted lips and
bright eyes a smiling happy face.
what do you see?" asked the husband,
gratified at her establishment. Il 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
like miner "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 a mirror, and every body in
the great city has one, although we have
not seen them il this country place before"
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 spirit
Of pride in her little girl. She never spoke of
1t, and as for the father he 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, 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, l must
soon pass away and leave you and your ia
tber alone, but want from you a promise.
Here is what is called mirror" taking it
from it's 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,
loon after died Obedient and dutiful, the
slaughter never forgot her mothers last re-
quest, and each morning and evening took
The mirror from its 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
mother of long ago. To her at night she
told the story of the trials and difficulties
of the day, and to her in 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
as she had done in her mothers lifetime,
and careful always to avoid whatever might
give her pain or grief. Her greatest JOY
was to look in the mirror and say. Mother
have been today what you would wish me
to be if you were by my side
Thus seeing his little daughter every
hight and morning looking into the mir
for holding converse with it. her father one
day asked her the reason for the strange be
havior. why, father" she said, II look
into the mirror every day to see my deai
mother and talk with her." Then she told
him of her mothers dying wish and how
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