The morning times., 1897-02-14

to the utmost The rooms are made TO
represent, as nearly as possible, a typical
japanese interior. The angular and formal
Western furniture is hidden behind tail
screens reaching from the floor almost TO
the ceiling and these with the exercise Of
little skill and tact in arrangement can
be made to resemble the gaily pictured
sliding walls of Il japanese room.
SILK paper umbrellas are opened aud hung
about the ceiling, very effectually conceal
ing all traces Of the kalSomiuer's handi work
and such incongruouS features as the elab-
orate hanging chandelier and electric Ii gfts.
Bamboo hangings are arranged before the
doors and placed over all the windows
About the floor ara scattered oriental rugs
worked N designs which could not possibI '
be evolved from any but a true Japanese
mind
To make the luncheon a success the most
minute details are followed, even to the cx-
tent OF removing all chairs and seats. Their
places are taken by uBy stools and an
abundance Of soft, downy cushions, upon
which the ladies fInd accommodations in
true Japanese style, sitting 2 la Turk or
reclining in a comfortable but Eeglige
ly barred as from the harem Of a good
Mollanlnedan and hence the absolute free
dom which tie fair imitators Of the women
of tie Island Kingdom enjoy.
Tables are as strictly taboocd as are
chairs. The picturesque substitutes, which
are dainty little laquered stands about
ten inches high, are fully as convenient,
and somehow a dainty meal OF unknown
foreign deiicacies with ali sorts of Pc
cular but not unpleasant flavors, served
from these tiny stands, tastes much better
than if placed before one on a practical,
cold, tHgnified mahogany.
The Suso-muyo, in which all the ladies'
appear, means dinner dress, or as it is
literally translated, suso-edgc; movo-Pat-
tern. It is long dress OF silk creme,
reaching from the neck TO the feet and
trailing at the back.
Around the waist is worn the obi or
SatinSash, W hichis oneofthe most important
portions OF the feminine raiment II is
wound several tiEIes around the body and
in Japanese Iadys costume it takes the
place of the corset OF her Western sister
1t is tied at the back in a huge, flaring
bow, while that portion which is dis
played n front is elaborately embroidered
in gold and silver tracery, and coIored
silks. 1t takes the average society young
woman some time to master the intricate
manner OF wearing the costume, but it is
essential to the success OF the Japan lunch
con. The trailing edge of the suco-moyo
is also gay with ingram patterns end gold
and silver tracery, which helps to give the
garIacHt its name, moyo.
About the neck is worn the han-ycri. or
collar. 1t is very elaborate affair of
silk or satin, heavy with embroidery and
delicate patterns worked in many cOlorS.
or gold and dsilver as the taste orthc wearer
may elect or her rank in life warrant
Over all is Worn the ha-1-ri, or coat with
large flowing sleeves, which is as much
the pride of a Japanese lady as is the
bonnet to Il Fifth avenue dame of Colonial
descent. For mdtrnnS the only permissible
color OF the ha-o-ri is sedate black. but
unmarried ladies' take delight in array
ing themselves in three and sometimes
four. or five ha-o-TiS OF different ColOrs.
The ha-o-ri also serves the purpose OF show
ing thcrdnk ofthe wCarcr. Oncach sin CuldeT
and at point directly between, IN the back
OF the garment, three circular holes are
cut out in the fabric and upon Il background
of different cuioTcd material from that
OF the cloak the heTaldic device of the
lady S family is woTkedia cuIored silks
The mtst ,iiificult part OF the costume
for tne Anne rican initator To wear and to
accuston hers cif 10 are the curious sandals
which are nothing but thick felt SoleS
raised from contact with the floor hy
small blocks OF wood fastened to the lower
side; but even this difficulty has in maay
instances been overcome, and more than
one Fifth avenue hellc can move about as
gracefully Upon the little Jap sandals as
she can in the daiutieSt OF ball slippers.
Above all is the curious little round gaily-
colored skullcap, with q single feather
stuck in the very center. for 10 apparent
reason.
For the luncheon sui-rnono is followed
by yaki -Zakina and o'sashimi. or by
chawanmori. and then comes kuchitori-
mono. which being rendered INTO English
means sweets, While all through o'cha, or
'thc very best tea" is served I'D libitum.
The sIi-mo-DO is the soup, preferably OF
chicken ard vegetables, chopped very fine
and served in dainty china bowls, colorCd
in fancirul designs The boiicd fish or nj
zakana is not quite SO popular as some OF
the lighter dishes. such as 'sasiiiii. which
is very delicate and palatabic, but the dis
Greet hostess does not as 4 rule tell tcr
friends that it is highly spiced and Favored
fish, cut In very thin slices, freed fTc:n all