The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-11-15

!, SOCIETY IN TOWNS NEAR By.

Tacoma. Nov. A-specsal.-A uneTeoric
nash Of social glory olaxed brilliantly FRI
day evening in this city, and its reflections
viii long tings the horizon OF the world
of society. and the gayesy IL induced VII
iong b remembered sn the list OF the
events Of especial importance In Tacoma's
history. Cards tor IN evening party were
issued three weeks ago by Mr. and Mrs.
Mkt Saito. the Japanese consul and his
wife. to be given In honor of the forty
nth birthday Of his imperial japanese
majesty. and since then the approaching
function has been the subject Of much
lively anticipation To say that every
ones anticipations were realised. would
not state half the truth The fact IL, no
one could imagine . more charm.ngly
planned and conducted evening than that
on which the subjects of Japan's emperor
paid their loving homage TO their ruler and
his courteous and dignined representative
made his ofhcsal entrance into the social
life Of the city.
The work OF decorating the hotel was
superintendent by Mr.. Someya. the consurs
private secretary. and the deft fingers ard
artistic talent OF his countrymen were
called into fun requis.r.on- The canvas
awnings were banked by small f1r trees
and from the ceiling of the broad veran-
dab hung scores Of gay colored lanterns.
while an immense japanese nag hung on
either side OF the entrance TO that VERT.
able fairy land which seemed 20 have
opened when one entered the brilliant hall.
The entire corridor was hung with row on
row OF lanterns, colored with the Japan
ese and American emblems. and at inter-
walls large bamboo lampstands were
placed. each surmounted by a gorgeous
umbrella with branches OF cherry bios
SONS thrust through the handle. On each
stand a large square lantern of white rice
paper was placed and the feature of the
decoration was the beautifully coIored pic
lures which were thrown into brilliant re-
lief by the light within. These pictures
are all representations OF famous Japanese
paintings. and the subject OF each one was
given on a card hung with red and white
ribbon. Each lantern Is gem in Itself
and at the foot of each stand was placed
splendid towering chrysanthemum. all
the finer colors being represented. The
entrance to parlor A was a triumphal arch
OF evergreen. above which two japanese
banners were crossed, and beneath them
the red and white nag hung side by side
with the Stars and Stripes. Three large
and handsome lanterns hung in the tran
som, and the green was varied by the
mingling with 1t OF white chrysanthe-
NUNS.
Once within the parior the scene was
one Of exceptional splendor. From the
four corners Of the ceiling were stretched
the vari-colored penants of the steam
boat signals. interspersed with lanterns.
and draped most artistically. Red, white
and blue wound the large pillars, and an
immense panel of white bore the inscrip-
ticn in sprigs Of evergreen, in honor of
II. l. J. Majesty's birthday" On the OPP
posite wall hung a large square emblem
at once unique and interesting. 1t repre-
scented the japanese coat OF arms. being
conventional chrysanthemum inlaid
with rice grains. the background and d.
vidin2 lines neatly formed Of fine tea
leaves. rice and tea being the staple prod
ucts Of Japan. As the present emperor
succeeded to the throne at the age OF Is,
the flower on the coat OF arms had sixteen
petals. Above are poised three birds,
which signify the wishes OF the people for
their sovereign's long life. and below
flock OF tiny downy chickens typiies the
growth from infancy. Around the whole
were twined the national colors~ and above
two tiny white fans decorated with the
scarlet ball, were crossed. The entire ef-
feet is indescribable and as the hundreds
OF guests entered and the gorgeous scene
shone upon them, EXPLANATIONS of sur
prise and delight were constantly heard.
Mr. and Mrs. Saito received their guests
with that cordiality and politeness that Is
. part OF the very life of the japanese.
The consul wore the splendid uniform OF
his office, the style being European, and
the color black, with rich gold lace. He
held in his hand his cooked hat with its
rich gold TRIMMINGS. Mrs. Saito was a
most attractive and dainty little hostess,
in her European gown OF elegant yellow
brocade, made en- train, with yellow chrys-
anthemums in her coal black hair, and
large bouquet of the same flowers They
were assisted in receiving by the German
consul and his wife. Mr.. and Mrs. Hans
Gsese. Mrs. Giese wore a rich white bro
raAA - Ar1A H.
elegantly trimmed in duchesse lace. and
Mr.. Giese was Respondent in the uniform
OF his rank, that OF lieutenant in the
German army. Many elegant toilettes
were worn by the ladies. and the generous
sprinkling OF navy and army officers lent
an added charm to the scene. The OPEN
Ing OF the musical programme consisted
of the Japanese national hymn. which
was sung heartily by all the subjects OF
the mikado. after which Prof. Bulls or
ehestra gave several selections, and the
dancing was opened by the consul and
Mrs. Giese. followed by Mrs. Saito and
Mr.. Giese. II is amazing to see what
familiarity with American ways and Gus
toms has already been attained by Mr.
and Mrs. Saito and II was universally
agreed that their social debut was most
successful. Americans would find il we'll
nigh impossible 10 adapt themselves TO
the entire change of dress. habit and ex-
preston that would be involved in leading
q state function in Japan. and ii is doubt
full IL they could carry off the strange af-
fair with the eclat which marked the ball
Friday evening
At midnight the large dining rooms were
thrown open and the guests were all seat
ed at long tables. filling both rooms A
small army Of walters served the vast
company quickly and skillfuily 10 a deli
c.ous supper. and at the close Hon g. w
Seymour rose and called for three cheers
for the imperial japanese majesty. They
were given with a will. the comnany
standing. and were followed by three for
his majesty's consul, Mkt Saito and by
three more for Mrs Saito. all of which
were given with great applause. Mr. Saito
then rose and proposed three cheers for
the president of ihe United States leading
them with VII. Dancing was resumed
and continued until O'clock, and every
body went home thoroughly delighted
with the unique and enjoyable evening.