Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-07-19


Lie is a revelation; to all observers
lit is conclusive evidence of the enter
lprise. industry and skill of the Jap
Iancse people.
EVERYWHERE in the Japanese cx-
Ihibits-for there are more than 10000
separate exhfbits-thoroughn is no
Iticeable. Nothing is left undone, but
care is given TO every detail, and there
lis a thorOughness that accounts for
IJapan's progress and success in peace
and in war.
This plucky little empire expended
81 900, 900 for worlds fair participa-
ltion.
Japan's exhibits occupy space in
1.-The different buildings. She asked for
more space than any two other for
Ieign governments. and secured an al
llottment nearly equal to- her demand.
Every one Of her exhibit booths is
beautifully decorated with inlaid nat
Iural woods and gold and lacquer. but
1.-The most picturesque part of Japan's
representation is found along the
Iterraced hillside covered by the build
lings and gardens of the imperial gov
ernment. and on the gay and festive
pike" where her quaint customs and
Interesting ways are enacted by hun
dreds of living Japanese types, the
fascinating and graceful geisha girls
lbeing most noticeable.
1t is not Japan's gay life that is at
tracing woId-widc attention, but the
busy. active. industrial life of that
wonderful country which in so short
Time has risen to a position of promi-
/ Ba of bn
world
One of the most attractive spots in
this vast area of palaces and pavilions
lis the hillside occupied by the Japan
csc gardens. with their shimmcring
IIakelets and IagOons: 1t is a beautiful
Landscape of scarlet and green, with
ltiny cascades whose silvcry waters
rush to messy pool below. Above
1.-THE gardens, scattered about i'll
grove of pines, stands several summer
houses covered with curved bamboo
roofs. bCdecked with bright cOlors and
lpolishcd metal cleaning in the sun
shine.
At the gateway leading to the Jap
anese gardens is a perfect reproduc-
ton of the great entrance to the IA
lmous temple of NekkO, built centuries
ago by one of the rulers of Japan. This
beautiful temple was decorated with
gold and lacquer and carvings of the
lmOSt famous artists of the time. The
temple is one of the most noted types
of Japanese architecture at NellkO, the
mecca of art in the island empire;
thence. there is an old prOVerb to the
effect that nothing can compare in
beauty to NekllO.
In these terracCd gardens are the
Japanese administration building,
where the commissioners make their
headquarters; a reception hall, where
the Japanese receptions and banquets
are held. and two public tea-hOuscs,
where refreshments are served at all
times. There is also a Japanese ba-
zaar and several resting places.
The entire gardens are surrounded by
a high wall similar TO those in use in
Japan. and bamboo fences cut off these
buildings fro mthe rest of the garden.
In the tca-hOusCS pretty Japanese
Ceisha girls sing and dance and play
1.-THE Samisen. In the theatre across the
lake Japs in armor daily illustrate an
Cient combat with long Japanese
swords and spears. The banks, Gov
cred with many varieties of. gorgeous
Japanese flowers, ferns and MOSES,
Head down to the waterways, where
strange crows and StOrkS are wadinE
about. On tiny islets in the lake are
seen magnificent ROSTERS with tails
10 feet long. These little islands are
reached by rustic bridges leading from
1.-THE shores. and by sampans, a strange
/ jcit hnY
the lagoon.
The life of a Japanese city is illus
ltrated here. Japanese girls from 10
Ito y years old are busily engaged
weaving rugs. while street acro5ats
perform in the open as they do in the
lowery kingdom. and Japanese for
tune tellcrs with their metallic instru-
ments are ever ready to accommodate
1.-THE public The whole scene is eff
Elective in the rich color. the murmur
of many tongues and the music of
many instruments. and is likely To be
one of the enduring memories of the
exposition
At night these beautiful gardens are
lighted with curious stone lanterns
placed along the hillsidcs. giving
lsubdued light and sombre aspect to
the romantic surroundings. II is
Typical Japanese landscape. and the
Visitor can easily imagine himself
transported to the 'flowery kingdom"
as ne sips the fragrant tea. served by
beautiful Japanese girls among the
flowers and charming scenes of fair
Japan.
While the outdoor beauties of Japan
impress the worlds fair visitor. il is
the magnificent handiwork of the Jap
lanese people that most deeply i'm
lpresSes the world. In the palace of
varied industries is an exhibit of the
lu1ost beautiful cloisonnee ware ever
lexported from Japan. This famous
ware has never been equalled by any
lother people. To manufacture the
finest quality of il takes nearly a
Years time separate burning and