davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-07-04

hlbit the blade. and then only with many
and profuse apologies.
Etiquette was carried even to the hand
ling of the sword. The guest received IL
in a silk sword cloth-which every sword
wearer carried-hoding the hilt to the left
and the point directed at the owner OF the
sword Even II the blade was a famous
one. and being examined for its intrinsic
beauties, the apologies were profuse and
continued.
The japanese were famous for the yarle-
ty OF their swords and daggers, used on
various occasions. The katana was "A
sword about two feet long. the wakizashi
about half Of that on ceremonial occa-
sions the chisa-katana three feet I'm
length, was used. The hakama indicated
that the wearer was OF gentle birth; while
officials OF low rank wore the aikuchi, a
short, guardless dirk. This was also used
by professional men, while hunters used
the nodatchi.
The swords Of a nob.eman In full dress
were often of great value and beauty.
Conveniently placed was the katana and
tanto; behind, In the girdle. was thrust the
richly ornamented metezashi, while at the
side was a gorgeous affair--tho yepu mo-
datchl. In It's richly Jacquard scabbard
Each sword was a study In itself, and
each portion was unique and perfect from
an artistic standpoint. The principal
parts were the top Of the hilt or kashra
often OF richly carved bronze or silver
the curious ornaments or menuki. bound
into the sides OF the hlt. These were OF
the greatest variety. In gold, silver, and
bronze-each perfectly carved object In
art, their purpose being to serve the grasp
Then came the little knives that ~ In the
scabbard Itself, the kodzuka and kogai
The scabbard Itself was a thing Of beauty.
often Of magnolia wood. richly tinted In
a variety Of coiOre, or inlaid With pearl
gold, silver or bronze The guard. Or
ysuha. was often the principal feature OF
this work OF art being Of gold, silver. or
bronze, richly ofnamentcd. maid, or cary
ed. Some collections Ia this country in
cludc hundreds Of these guards alone. the
greater number being IA bronze. Tho
rivets were an covered with rich orna-
ments, called mcnuh. ard 30 on 70 the
cords which bound u. the sword was cs-
sentiaily artistic and aesthetic.
The swords Of the Japanese may an be-
considered works Of art but they vary ln
point ~ beauty and decoration az well as
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-07-04

upon several tests One of the strangers
had a long, attenuated blade which he
drew carefully from It's sheath; then, bar
ing his arm. he held a pillow. and with a
quick movement struck Il, severing II as
though It were paper-an extraordinary
feat. Iyeyasu did the same; then, seeing
a large cub bear, he ordered his men to
throw II upward. They did so, and as Il
dropped he severed 1t with a single blow,
In the air, thus winning the con test. His
sword was made by the great artist Maya
Mitza A. ID. 1879 and was named Adzuki-
Maya Mitza. this being Its guarantee, that
Il could sever a bear at single blow
The swordmaker was a favored indivld-
ual man OF wealth. lie was courted and
feted, and when he had achieved great
fame he was ennobled. Always when
forging a sword he was allowed 20 wear
the garb Of q noble at a certain period
in the history OF the blade. Al this time
he retired from public view. and certain
mysterious rites were performed that were
supposed 10 invest the sword with special
powers.
When in full dress a nobieman presented
n magnificent appearance, his swords be-
ing especially fine In their decoration.
Ancient swords are those that antedato
1870. those following being known as shin
to; and. while many are remarkably fine,
they are not esteemed as highly as the
old swords lightness was a feature. and
some were 40 delicate that they could al
most be kept double one OF the most
famous makers Of ahinto swords was
Nero Horikawa Kunlhlro, who fiourshed
In 1900. Another artist, Kore Hiro. who
made swords IN 1890. left many famous
examples OF his art, several OF which may
be seen In this county. One In the coll
lection OF Mr. Henry Moilneux OF San
Francisco ~ highly ornamentcd with sill
yer. the figures representing the seven
gods OF good fortune. Another sword IN
this same collection was forged by the
celebrated artist Tada Yoshi In the seven
tenth century.
Many OF these old swords were made 20
order FOR famous men. aud one IN the
Mollncux collection. made FOR the Prince
Of Scndal by Kuui Sada, has rs owner 3
coat OF arms duplicated on the scabbard
scventy-lvo tines. This does not Indicate
excessive vanity on the part Of tho prince.
but was merely a fashion. ail swords OF
the kind being known a. shin no-tatchi.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-07-04

custom to wear side arms in Japan, and
when the edict was issued in 1877, flood
of useless swords was thrown upon the
market weapons which represented 4 pc
cuhar art, at once aesthetic and surround
ed by a glamour of romance and chivalry.
The production of these weapons pro-
duced a race of swordmakers who were AS
famous among their people as the great
artists of Europe and America are in the
art world of to-day. The sword in Japan
was not merely appreciated as weapon,
but was reverenced as a living personali-
ty, and great virtues were attached to it
by the superstitiouS people. A Japanese
writer of the sixteenth century, one Iyey-
asu, says: The sword is the living soul
of the lamurai." The latter were the
noblemen, and their affection and pride
for their swords was prominent national
trait the weapons being cared for with
the greatest reverence, and handed down
from generation TO genera ton. The blades
of Toledo or Damascus did not exceed in
fineness these japanese blades that IN the
hands of experts performed prodigies of
Valor.
Among the noblemen there was sword
etiquette, with rules so well understood
that their infringement was impossible by
a gentleman. Sword etiquette in the house
demanded that the caller, if he wore two
swords, should remove the longest and lay
1t aside, as one would an umbrella, or as
did Col. Cervante Of Georgia in the old
days, who upon paying his respects to the
widow Lawson always left his bowie knife
thrust in the steps as an indication of
good will.
There were times and situations which
demanded the long or short sword, and
gentlemen never made mistakes If an in
suit was intended, the followers of a
princely house did not bite the thumb;
they merely had to touch the sword of an
enemy or pay a social call and not remove
the long sword. Equally insulting was a
pretense at drawing the sword, or to
throw it upon the matted floor, hllt to the
foe. Any of these movements was equiva-
lent to throwing down the gauntlet to one
or all present, which would invariably be
followed by a sanguinary contest On the
street. If two gentlemen passed one an
other, then turned and clashed their Scab-
bards together, it vas a challenge. To
handle a naked blade, or exhibit IT, was
gross insult; only after the most urgent
requests would a Japanese gentleman ex-
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-07-04

This sword Is singularly beautiful, fully
illustrating the delicate art perception OF
the Japanese workers. Adventurine lac is
the material from which the scabbard is
made, covered with rich silver ornaments.
one OF the finest sword collections in
this country Is owned in Baltimore, but
the Marsh collection in San Francisco is
also very fine, being especially rich in
kodSukas, the little knife that fits into the
scabbard of the larger sword. Perhaps
the most beautiful of the last-named col
lection is a blade of exceeding fneness
forged by a great artist named Mune-
chika, who was the fashion among the
sword-lovng Japanese in 9S6 A. D.. or
nearly 1000 years ago The handle and
scabbard are the tusks of an elephant.
carved In an elaborate fashion. represent
ing the Jul roku rakan, or the sixteen wise
men or disciples of Buddha, Benten, the
goddess of purity and love- Diba, Otohime.
the sea goddess-all combined in a most
elaborate piece of carving, with scores OF
figures i'm such delicate work that the
closest examination with the glass dis
plays no crudeness or defect.
Sword collectors of to-day talk as learn
edly Of the old makers as do the lovers of
delft and other ware, and many quote
Masamuna as one of the most famous
makers. His work may be recognized by
the rich golden hue of the blade, which
was folded in a singular manner This
| celebrated swordmaker fiourshed in 1895
and the story Is told that his blades were
so keen that a nobleman once held his
sword in the water, and a fragment of
paper floating along was severed by It.
Equally famous and more reVered are
| Ama-Kuni and Shinsoku the earliest
known forgers of swords. Shinsoku was
the first to place his name on a blade. and
eight of has swords, made in sos, are now
to be seen In various Hachiman shrines.
Another famous swordmaker of the ff-
teenth century was Soto Yugo, whose de-
| scendants are among the noted blade
makers of the nation.
Swordmaking Is in a fair way to become
a lost art in Japan. The old swords are
not adapted to modern methods, and the
great swordmaklng centers of Kyoto.
Osaka and Kama-Kura know them no
| more
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-07-04

the sum OF 10000 was included 70 enable
o gun 10 be made by Dr. Calling m accord
ahce with his own IDEAS and under his
direction The law placing this sum OF
money az his disposal Is one OF the most
remarkable ever passed by congress. II
not merely authorizes, but directs the Sec
rotary OF war 10 contract with Or. eating
for the construction OF his steel gun and
practically provides that the contract
should be drawn by Or. Calling himself.
Detailed plans for the gun which he VIII
construct were submitted 20 the war de-
partment by Or. Calling, which were ac-
cepted and DR.. Calling was then free 10
proceed with tho work Of building the gun.
other matters Of Importance delayed the
prosecution Of the work, but Dr. Calling
has recently entered into a contract with
the Otis Steel Company, limited, Of Cleve-
land. D.. 20 cast and rough finish the gun.
The company viii construct the ncces-
sary machinery to forge the interior Of
the gun according to Or. Gatlng's plan
This company furnishes a large quantity
Of steel forgings TO the government and
its facilities are complete for che new work
that Is now 70 be undertaken. IL has not
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-07-04
BETWEEN SAVANNAH AND TYDEE.

yet been determined where the work OF
rihing the gun and putting IN the breech-
loading mechanism win be done. There ara
several establishments available for such
work. The Otis company has already
begun work on the gun. The working
drawings will soon be completed IN every
detail. and DR.. Calling Will naturally
spend a good deal Of his time at the works
IN Cleveland while the work Is going on
there. II the coming experiment AZ suc-
cessfui, u Will be possible FOR a large saw
ing to be effected In the ordnance work OF
the government as guns can be built on
the new plan FOR probably not much more
than one-han the cost Of che methods now
IN use.
Or. Calling has also received from tho
board Of ordnance and fertilization an al
lOtmon OF $1,000 for the construction Of a
steel mortar. l2-lnch caliber.on plans sub
mittod by him. The government Il now
paying $4,000 each for mortars made on
the built-up principle. II may be possible
TO effect a very large saving IN this work
also, as the government needs at least
900 more portars than II has yet procured
for our coast defcnges
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-07-04

o1su York. July 2.-Fashions change in
nm tennis as they do in every other
thing.
4, The beginning of the grassy season OF
,o- If was feared that golf would over
shadow tennis and drive it from the field
81 nonular pastimes, as croquet was tenn
,,rari1v driven out by tennis, but the ac-
+i,,itv in the sale of rackets and balls be-
lies this report, and the indications are
that this season will be more of tennis
season than the last one. The truth is
that each game has its own place. You
can play tents when and where you
cannot play golf, and so tennis suffers
rotbing by the strength of its English
brother, golf.
The tendency in lawn tennis circles Is
towards the procuring of substantial i'm
Elements for the game rather than fancy
ones outdoor sports are now played with
sncb desperation that anything that saw
ors of frai orsbreakable qualities rs view
Cd with distaste The most aesthetic girl
wants the strongest racket; and the most
INDECENT dude will roll up his sleeves ana
demand a heavy gut string"
The latest racket for men weighs thir-
teen ounces. Those for ladies may weigh
twelve and one-half ounces. In the tour
naments they play with the same weight
uniess it is otherwise understood.
The popular shape for the racket is a
long oval-not the almost round shape
heavily strung with the strongest catgut.
There is a racket modelled after the one
the Celebrated DR.. Joshua PIN used at
Newport last year In his championship
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-07-04

games This is in great favor. specially
with those who want 20 be very Eng
hsa. 1t differs little from the average
racket being oval. strong and heavy:
substantial thing to swing IN the hand.
me balls are absolutely the same, ex-
cept in point OF durability. The strongest
ones are Of dark felt, in two pieces. ce-
rented on to make one strong sphere.
= good Dali viii wear the season through;
lug experts say that no matter how much
tennis club may be playing the econ
,'g game II Is no saving to buy a poor
nan Two afternoons win knock II 20
pieces.
mere are very few things IN nets. One
" lhese Is the tarred net White cord
"Fuhg Is treated 70 coat Of tar until
leeomes jet black very strong ana
''@ps' The top OF the net
T. "It white, while the lower half
~ uiack az tar. This makes a very strik-
ing net especially upon a grassy court.
"Hgh Il stands forth in fine relief. making
peasant rest for the players eyes and
e mat is considered less trying than.
Ue all-white net.
,r .'@'t year there We're brown nets made.
,, Ia season sees few except the black and
IN ~ nets Tor sale IN the way OF cord
mere are however. many home-modo
Nv teen upon tennis courts. IL Is quite
t1n,i t'snlen 70 make your own net, aud
an, WV, r. clubs thai md their MEETINGS worn
ing Of new nets. w. ''e man
rfo"',. easiest way TO make a net is 20
.rEg,h, salcloth and cut It the right
IN. ne-,. ailer hemming u "a fastened 10
tb.s .'lisats aud is tennis met" But
I'M" Would not do for professional play-
esrrsl. Tor amateurs who are greatiy In
musf ~, o yer the game. For then there
" Tt can see the move Oh their oenor m''sl
re, cS netting Is easy to make. For
pounds , say "a feet. you viii need three
some I, eoIu, Fish-.lno ls liked by
can h. 49,. u 30 strong that a iieht ,5eiebt
enough ana Two pounds OF the line is
work o. ID, iol win have 70 make a mel.
and M V W., t,fln1s before beginning 20 tie
abd amofk will take hands bofh akilfai
Llad 4iSSe9rats. The knots mpst be go W. W.
being Ia, wv not Slip, a surFoon's loon
"e oea' one known Tor wing. II,
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-07-04
lawn TENNIS BROUGHT Up TO DATE.
New Fancies the Result of the Ever Chang
ing Fashions of the Season.
,,tx Is Now to
waterproof and Our


makes little hard knot at each crossing
of the string.
Nets come at different prices. There is
a cheap white cord net at 81, and so they
run up to $50. If a good low-price net is
obtained it hardly pays to make one, I'M
less one does it for the fun of it.
The next new thing in tennis playing is
the lino.eum tape. This is like oil cloth,
three inches wide, and 1t comes in big rolls
that look like giant tape measures. This
tape is fastened to the ground by staples
and is warranted to last all this season
and next, if cared for in the fail. Tapes
come from 4 upward Then there are
markers to outline the court if a quick,
new court is wanted. A nice little roller
can be passed over the ground like car
pet sweeper, leaving behind a white pow
der that outlines the fed. This way of
marking is liked by those who have nice
lawn and who, to save the grass, prefer
to move the tennis court every few days.
The white powder soon settles in the
ground and becomes invisible.
The tennis lad who goes travelling this
summer carries his racket in a mackin-
tosh. He can have the macintosh match
his club colors, if he pleases, or he can
match it to his travelling suit, gray or tan,
or black or white. There are also leather
cases for players who must be English
and carry so much luggage that it has to
be bundled together and strapped. The
leather case is stiff and protects the
racket.
A tennis club just starting, can have a
membership of twenty members with one
set of tennis without encroaching upon
each others rights. This allows a nice
game for all, with short rests between.
A set good enough for a new club is a
go set BY the time all have learend to
play the set may be little the worse for
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-07-04

W. ar, but by that time individual prefer
en- ,es will have asserted themselves so
d at a new set will be wanted anyway.
A set of this kind includes four rackets
Of good gut, with cork and cedar handles;
L. balls, set Of guy ropes, pair OF
poles, net and marker. II little
judgment is used In the selection Of such
a set Il viii wear more than one season
even with the most energetic playing.
Handles are preferably of cane, Joined
with mahogany. or they can be of cedar
with mahogany trimmings set in cane
handles. Rackets are pretty sure 20 be
strong. so that Is the one redeeming feat
urc of a racket-its strength.
They do not make very fancy rackets
nowadays. A 81 one is considered an ex-
cellent racket An IS one IL about the best
that comes. They used to make a so
racket. with handle inlaid with squares
OF polished wood. to initiate ivory, but
there was little call for Il. People who
we're willing to put that amount OF money
In a tennis racket wanted one that had
silver trimmings Every year the jewell
ers have a few orders to trim individual
rackets. and one very fashionable jeweier
has set tiny diamond chip initials In a gold
cap for tennis racket handle.
People who 90 wild over tennis are con-
tent only with rubber tapes costing $50.
And they must have imported rackets and
specially stffened nets. But some Of the
best games have been played over the cot
ton net three feet tall and with the racket
that had only the merit OF accustomedness
attached TO u.
The fancy Is toward the larger court;
Is feet by SO feet Is the average, but the
sprinters want one that measures i've feet
more IN every direction.
The tennis and golf tournaments are 20
be features OF the summer A tennis game
starts with the golf game. and az the close
OF the afternoon one grand feto does for
both win.crs. Clarence s. Russell
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-07-04
TIME CARD

In Effect June 30. 1897.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-07-04

nrice and those made by famous artists
brouqht large sums, 5000 often being paid
sor nerfect sword not jeweled. When
nnmher of famous sword owners met, the
sword, naturally, became a subject OF con-
versation. and numerous tests were given
by the skilled swordsmen of the day. 1t
Is said that on one occasion lyeyasu, who
was the author of a voluminous work on
sword etiquette and the owner of a hne
sword, was once travelling in the interior,
and stopped at night at little inn where
several other noblemen were resting. The
subject of their swords was touched upon,
and from one word to another they were
led into a dispute regarding the qualities
of the blades. To settle it, they agreed
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-07-04
swonDs or LIE JArANnsE.
blades of the Finest steel Joined
10 Elaborate JewcIed HiIts.

From the New York Times.
Up TO the year 1871. n o Japanese gentle.
man was asked to name his best friend
be would significantly touch his sword.
From time immemoriai Il has been the
The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1897-08-02
SOUTHERN RAILM

(Schedule In effect July A, 1871
All TRAINS arrive ana leave ReanSy a0i8
Passenger Station
SI2 a.nr-Daily, local for Danville, Char
lUttc and way stations, conn cGS a. MdmdS-
sas Tor Strasbarg. HarrlSOnDuT z, and
StauntOn, daily, except sunday, and at
LynchDurg with the Norfolk and Western,
daily and with the Chesapeake and Ohio,
daiIy. for the Natural Bridge and Lex
1ngLOn-
lI:I5 a. m.-DaiIy the UNITED STATES
FAST MAIL, carries Pullman buffet
sIeepers. New York and Washington 20
yacksOnyile, uniting at Salisbury with
Pullman Sleeper for ASheville and Hot
Springs, N e., knoxville, Chattanooga and
Nashville, Tenn. andat = harlOtte with fuil-
Man Sleeper for uguSta. Pullman Buffet
Sleeper New York TO New Orleans, connect
ing at Atlanta for Birmingham and Mem
plus. Solid train, Was hlngton 10 New
Orleans without change Sunset personally
conducted tourist excursion through sleeper
on this train every Wednesday 20 San Fran
CISCO, without Change
burg and HarTisonOuTg, with connection loo
stanton, daily. except sunday.
4.51 p. m.-DaIy, local foT ChaTlottes
VILE.
1O:43 D. m.-paiiy, WASHINGTON AND
sQIJTHSES TERN, YES TIBULED, Linz
TIED, con. posed of PCiIman Nesttbuled
Pullman sletpers New York to Nash
Vile, TeuG., via Asheville, kn0xviiie
aud Chattanooga. New York To Tampa,
via Charlotte. Columbia, Savannah and
Jacksc nville; New York to Memphis. via
Birmin CHAM, New York to New OGIeans,
via Atlanta and Montgomery. Vestibuled
day coach Washington 10 Atlanta. South
ern kail way dining car, Greensboro 70
Montgomery.
Trains ON WASHINGTON AND OHIO
DIVl3ION leave Washington 9:0i a. m
daily, LOO D. IN and 4.45 D. IA. daily, ex-
cep5 Sunday. and 6:25 p. IN sunday only
for Re und Hill, 4:S2 p m. daily, except sun
day for LeesDurg, and 6-25 p. IN daily for
HeTnCon. Returning, arrive at Washing
ton 70 a. III and $40 p. m daily, and
800 D. IN. daily. except Sunday, from
Round Hill, and 1905 a. IN daily, exceps
sunday. from Herndon, and S:5+ a. IN
daily. except Sunday, from Leesburg
Through trains from the South arrive az
Washington 6.42 a. IN. Z:2O D. IN. and
9:Z5 D. m. duly. HarusonDurg, IL. 40 p
Ia. and S:20 p. m. daily. except Sunday,
and $40 a. m. daily from charlottesville.
Tickets, sleeping car reservation and In
formation furnished at offices, Oil and
1906 Pennsylvania avenue, and at Penn
syIvaaia Railroad Passenger station.
W. "A. GREEN, cen. SUpt.
D. ni. GU LIZ. Irarfic Manager.
w. A. Turn, cen. Pass. Agent.
l.. y. BitUBS -. Geo. Agt. Pass. Depfs