New-York tribune., 1903-02-01

ne all deIirbtf,Illv dainty and diminutive things
Jananese dolies are certainly the daintiest and
dearest. for they very lfelike, exacuT re-
sembling the little men ard maidens OF Cherry
Blossom Land These in the picture however
were not intended TO be played with as other
5olliee are h,t were given to Mrs Roosevelt as
examples Of the various types of women ana
fashions in their native country by the japanese
Minister and Nine Takahira.
The figures themselves are of some fine. flesh
tinted composition with scarlet lips demure glass
eves and the blackest Of black silk hair, elabo-
rately pufed and ornamented with jewelled COMBS
and pins. There were seven of these gay little
figures included in the gift. and when Ethel Roose
Welt first saw them she was delighted with the
prospect of so many lovely new dollies 10 add
20 her already numerous family. Instead of living
in EtheIs dollhouse. however they have oeeh
placed in a glass cabinet in the Red Room Of the
White House. where they add not little to the
decoration of that handsome apartment
The most imposing figure of the seven. each OF
which is about twelve inches in height is gorgeous
ly yoNTed in scarlet Grape with embroidered mower
designs in gold thread The flowing sleeves are
edged with gold, and gold cord and tassel finishes
the loose robe that opens over a skirt of silver
woven blue. Git butterflies nestle in her hair and
one slender fingered hand is extended with gest-
Of command in keeping with the naughty poise
of her head. This dazzling parsonage of the
Mikado's court has for attendant taller figure
sWathed in prune color. relieved with scanty
hurnbly ooifed hair.
Another lady OF high degree is respondent in
Nie green crepe shading 10 deep emerald, the
stratas defined with silver threads scarlet scarf is
wound about her waist and her hair is dazzle of
tinsel and shining stones. This figure is duplicated
b, others one in velvet and some in crimson and
pink.
The long sleeves and folds of each gown are so
padded that the figures stand alone in all their
glory and as Mr. Takahira has explained that
sir7ilnc of he of
there can be doubt Of the accuracy Of that
traveller who wrote so enthusiastically of the
human butterflies of Japan
Not TO many dollies is accorded the honor OF
glass houses in state apartment and doubt
these little Japanese ladies are very much aston
ished at the reception given them if could only
know their thoughts All the time they were being
dressed and decorated they wondered probably what
little black-eyed Japanese girl they would find A
home with, and whether she would be A good
mamma TO her dollies and let them have parties
c:te often For little Japanese children like to
play with dolls just much as do children every
where else the world around, but their doll houses
rather different from those on this side of the
ocean
For instance they are usually made of thin Sits
Of colored bamboo, with screen. covered with won
derful flowers and swiftly flying birds, 10 serve as
partition walls and doors Instead Of beds they have
thick padded quilts, and tiny wooden blocks for
pillows and woooen bathtubs, just as do the homes
of the little japanese girls to whom these play
bouses belong. Often they have verandas. too,
where the dollies all their sandals before en-
ierng as is the custom IN that land of the rising
sun where everything and everybody is scrupu-
lousy clean.
Besides dollies. little japanese boys and girls are
especially fond of playing with kites and tops.
which in that country wonderful and
beautiful than anywhere else They have kite
fights when the high winds come, putting sharp
steel hooks the strong silk thread that holds
the kite. and with these they try to cut the string
of all the other kites in the air about them.
As some OF these kites rise in the air they spread
chrysanthernums. and seem much too beautiful TO