The herald., 1895-08-18

exquisite in combination. variety and
taste. 1t is, however. Il singula circum-
stance that the royal bedchamber and the
throne room are entirely void OF deoora-
ton.
The emperor was considered a god, and
his dwelling temple. therefore the impe-
rial residence within the precincts of the
city was called the Omiya Gosho temple
palace). 1t is by no means as imposing
in appearance as some OF the temples in
its neighborhood, or as the military
stronghold of the Shoguns of the six
teenth entu,y-the castle OF Nijo-that
lifts its majestic towers on the other side
OF the city. Within the walls surrounding
the palace are clustered numerous houses
of various imensions, in some OF which
the sovereigns were accustomed to exc
cute the highest officers OF the state,
while in others they resided with their
families and closest attendants. These
houses are mostly of simple form, and in
exterior so plain as to present no appear
ance OF Intentional decoration. Some OF
them however, are adorned within in
the highest style of Japanese art; with
elaborate and costly paintings, carvings
and tapestries. all especially wrought for
the empe-or's use, and of a character not
permitted to be elsewhere reproduced.
The prosperity OF KyotO was seriously
injured by the abrupt removal OF the
court to Tokyo In 1868. 1t had been the
i'm perial dwelling place for over 1000
years. 1t was the scene. at regular inter-
walls, Of i'm mportant poitioal gatherings. 1t
had been the resort OF pilgrims. pleasure
seekers. artists and literary coteries for a
score of genera tions. Its floating popula-
ton" was therefore exceptionally large,
and of thus it was in great part forever
deprived by the migration of the court.
Although it was never again to become
he seat OF government. there we're suffi.
cient reasons why it should not be suf-
fered to fall into decay. Among other
devices for it's relief was that of an indus
trial exhibition, which was opened in the
spring of 1872. The result was SO happy
that its repetition annually was forthwith
decreed. Never before had the city been
so filled with visitors of every degree for
eigners were admitted for the first time,
and did not abuse their privileges, and
the financial condition of the old city
was once more rosy and blooming.
The first three expcsitons were held in
the grounds OF various temples; that OF
1875 was held in the former palace of the
mikado-precincts that since the first oc-
cupation in 794 had been inaccessible. ex-
cept to the i'm perial descendants of the
gods 'and their loftiest followers. No
more striking proof of the com plete over
throw of conventional forms and: effete
superstition could have been given than
the surrender of this spot, so long the
haunt of sacred mysteries, to the prosaic
purposes of utilitarian progress. All
who know anything Of Japan are
aware that the reverence once attached to
the person and residence of the mikado
was OF a nature that exceeded infinitely
every other sense of humility anc devo-
ti"n. In the eyes OF the multitude he
was literally god, and in the eyes of the
enlightened he was the impersonation of
majesty that transcended the glory of
anything that could be considered hu-
man. All tue forms of divinity that
hedged about this sovereign were cOnse-
Grated alike by the cherished traditions of
the people and by the loyalty OF the rul-
ing classes, into system that had per-
sisted through the ages. His name might
not be uttered by mortal tongue. His face
might not be seen. except by such as near
ly approached him in rank. When he
moved about in his car OF state the high
ways were deserted and the regions over
which he passed were hushed as in the 81
lence of death. But when the court took
flight to the new capital the glamour be-
gan to fade from the eyes of the nation;
and when the gardens and palace halls of
Kiyoto were thrown open to the public.
and tho shrine of unceremonial spiritual
supremacy was converted into bustling
repository of industry and trade, it might
bo said that the extremes of old and new
Japan had met. and that the last shadow
of the ancient superStiJiOn-''the divine
descent OF the mikado''-had disappeared
forever.
The industries of Kyoto are chiefly
porcelain, lacquer, fans, silk and bronze.
1t is we'll known that Japan excels in
beautiful creations of ceramic art. and
nowhere is it carried to so great perfec-
tion as in Kyoto. Silk has been cultiva-
tod in Japan since the be1innlng Of the
third century. and now forms nearly one
half of the export trade of the country,
and Kiyoto has always been the princi-
pal seat Of this industry. The weaving
establishments are locased Together in one
quarter of the city. The houses are poor
and small. each containing about twenty
looms. and give no outward indica-
tion of the importance of the work car
risd on within; yet the gold brocades.
heavy silks. velvets. figured cloths
end lighter fabrics, in rich dves or un-
colored, are wonderful as to quality and
value. The skill displayed in these man
ufactures has often excited the admira.
tion of foreign experts.
The society of kycto is the gayest in
all the land noted fCl refinement OF man.
ners and taste in dress. During the hot