Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1898-02-10
AT A JAPANESE SUPPER.
Nicely Served. But OccidentaIs Found
It Difficult TO Eat.

Nicely Served. But Occidentals round
It Difficult TO Eat.
Perhaps at this season of universal
merry-making an account of Japan
csc feast viii not be amiss. Last De-
cember jolly party of eight Americans
went to the Maple club, the Delmonico's
Of Toxic. The chaperon of the party
knowing well the peculiarities of Japan
ese cooking. suggested that il would be
well to dine beforehand at home, as
there could be absolutely nothing we
dered for eight o'clock. Prompt to the
minute the faithful coolies were al
the door \ lighted paper hung from
the shafts OF, each vehicle, for every
"riksha" man is compelled by law to
carry one. With a shout the men were
off, calling and laughing as they raced
along the dark country roads. Some
times the last were first in the merry
chase Heavy people have usually two
men to pull tandem and one to push the
''rikshas." At the door of the club
house we were greeted by the smiling
little waitress in gay-colored kimonos,
silk robes, who took our wraps and
shoes
In our stocking feet we climbed the
polished stairs, and, passing rooms di-
vided by sliding screens, where other
dinner parties were going on, came to
the room reserved for us. Dainty mats
covered the floors. and here. let me say,
referring to the size of a room, where
We would describe its dimensions as Is
feet square, the japanese would term
il siX-mat room. As the 'tabi," or
cloth stockings. are the only footgear
coming in contact with the mat. ii re-
mains clean and unbroken. Silk cush-
ions were arranged in a semi-circle
on the floor two or three inches thick.
and perhaps 90 square. We were not
adopts in the native custom of sitting
on ones feet. Two of the men squatted
Turk fashion, and we ladies changed
our position in rather a restless manner
from time to time.
Immediately on our arrival supper
was served on tiny lacquer tables. We
had first soup TO be eaten with Chop
sticks. II was problem how to handle
these instruments. but we succeeded in
spearing mushrooms at the bottom of
the bowl. Next came raw fish with a
strange sauce. and then boiled rice.
looking-so nicely was it cooked-like
a pile of snowflakes. Between each
course. "saki." the native drink, was
passed around. 1t is distilled from bar
lev and rice. and is said to contain a
small percentage of alcohol. We were
offered persimmons. which the little
mattresses pared with their deft fingers.
and a pretty box of sweets was given
us to take home. containing jelly. cake
and candies in the shape of maple
leaves to match the season. The little
maids sat in front of us ready to render
any service. Their English was very
limited. They told us their names.
which seemed to us very fanciful-
''Snow." Cherry BLOSSOM" and "Chrys-
anthemum." They smiled and 5lushed
at the compliments showered upon
them. Whole chapters have been writ
ten about the japanese smile. \ shop
keeper smiles and bows as pleasantly to
the visitor who buys nothing as TO the
purchaser of many costly curios.
'Snow" and Cherry Blossom" told us
theirages as 16 and IS; but they scarcely
looked 70 years old. so calm and serene
were their faces. They were immense
" interested in our dress and jewelry.
handling our rings with great awe.
One of the party exhibited his repeater.
much TO their delight.
The supper over the Geisha girls
danced for our entertainment. Dressed
in brocades heavy enough to stand
alone. their hair stuck full of jeweled
ornaments like a pin cushion. they
made to our minds grotesque rather
than beautiful figures. looking as if
they had stepped off screens or fans.
The musicians sat behind them The
samisen. not unlike a banjo in shape.
is the most agreeable of their musica,
~ instruments. The others give forth
weird and dreadful sounds. Our guides
explained the symbolic meaning of the
dances as they followed in slow success
sion. We saw eyes peeping at us from
openings in THE screens. their owners
heing anxious TO see how the Europeans
were amusing themselves. The dane
ing would have lasted until now. had
not the tired travellers thought il best TO
retire to their hotel.
1t was raining as we left the club
house. but the men wore the curious
bowl-shaped hats and raincoats made of
bamboo, which covered their shoulders
like a ;hatch. Stimulated by "saki."
they whirled us quickly back TO the I'm
perial hotel. SNOW" 'Peach Bios
som" and 4 score of their smiling
friends accompanied us to the door.
their "sayonaras." 'good-by." follow
ing us through the darkness. This is
hut one of our many pleasant memories
of ''fan and."-Boston Transcript.