The morning times., 1896-08-03
GOING SHOPPING IN JAPAN
Points Picked Up by a Woman
Accustomed to Our Ways.
GUEST OF THE MERCHANT
He Dimes, FIatters and Sends You
Home in His Carriage and 1t Lis
Altogether Different-Scrved With
Dainty Dinner and Waited on
Like II Princess.

Shopping is safer in JAPAN said a
woman Just returned from the land OF the
rising sun to a writer in the New York
Press, as she escaped from one OF New
York big stores on u bargain day. When
she had recovered her breath sufficiently,
she continued:
'.It is like going on picnic to shop there.
1t is one of the most restful enioyrnents
I know Of When 1 was tired out with
work in my school used to take holiday
among the shops. Two or three days
shopping would do wonders for my nerves.
would return to my classes in capital trim
for teaching. / don't believe that many
of the teachers in the schools here would
start out for day on Fourteenth or
Twenty-tlIird streets IL 1t were rest they
were looking for!
I'm the first place people are In no hurry
in Japan. There isplenty oftiInc, and That
simplfies shopping wonderfully. When
1 go back 1 shall hint TO the niikado that
he has an excellent chance now to repay
mericans for their missionary iabors
in his Kingdom. He should organize Il
japanese board of foreign missions { o send
men and women to America to teach my
beloved countrywomen to slow up and
enjoy a little OF the only life they are
allowed to have this time they are on
earth.
THOUGHT HERSELF A DUCHESS
II am sure that when lie hears OF the
woe OF the American bargain counter his
imperial ma jesty Will be deeply moved.
Shops are cool and comfortable and
wide open in Japan. The whole side of
the building is doorway. Fires are so
frequent and spread rapidly in the light
frame building that tradesmen Keep their
goods stored away in kura or fircproof
buildings in the rear of the shops, whence
they are brought out when called for. But
there is plenty OF time.
Il did not know what TO make of my
reception the first time l went shopping
| wanted kimono. native robes, and went
to Dai Maru. one of the great Toxic shops,
As entered every one bowed low. quite
to the floor. and called out 'Irashai'-
welcome! thoughtit all was for my com
panion, who was of a distiD guished native
family, or that they thought me the visit
ing Duchess OF Connaught- But, no. all
the bowling was only ordinary greeting to
anyone that entered the shop. The good
people had never heard OF either of us
before. and did not know that the Duchess
OF Connaught was in town.
I'VE scarcely were seated on the edge
OF the bauiboo platform on which the
clerks glide about with rolls of cloth IN
response to calls, when a handsonie youth,
in bIue-str!ped kinono, with a blue-black
apron. sslaaned before US and pushed
toward US two cups on tiny trays. He
poured tea, and salaamed again. while
we slipped slowly and were refreshed
When we put down the cups of exquisite
ware he filled them again, and with an
other Row. begged TO know what ne might
have the honor of showing us
We said that I was tired Of yofuku -
foreign dress and wished to set a lot of
silk kiuono. He clapped his hands. and
two youngsters, clad like hiniseif. an
swered with Il shrill hal and dropped On
their knees before him He told them
what TO bring.