The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1904-03-01
The HOMES FOOD, AND DRESS
OF THE JAPANESE PEOPLE

TOKYO, March l--Japanese houses are
odd looking to the tourist from the occi-
dent Wood is the chief material used in
construction. but brick and stone are com
ing into use among the Weather residents
A typical Japanese house is himsy -look-
ing. with stfaw-thatchcd or tiled roof II
has no foundations but rests on stones
laid ON the ground
This is because of the numerous earth.
quakes, and the decoration, or rather lack
of decoration of the interior is the result
of the attempts TO lessen the dangers
from the shocks The outer doors are
called rain doors and are of solid wood.
They slide in grooves instead Of swinging
Unless the weather is disagreeable they are
never locked, and even during stormy
weather they are not locked SO tightly as
20 prevent rafting. At other times they
are omen.
The inner doors the windows and some
times the partitions between the rooms are
lattice frames, covered with translucent
white paper. These as well as the Opaque
paper screens used between the rooms can
be taken out and the rooms turned into
one large ROOM or the whole house thrown
open to the air.
wIhe floors are covered with thick. soft
mats Of straw, usually six by three feet.
The ,Iaps eat, sleep, walk and sit on these
mats, They are scrupulously clean, never
being soiled by dirty shoes or sandals as
such articles are deposited outside before
entering.
A Japanese room. to the American mind
seems plain and bare. being devoid of brio
In A l...I Il.
takes the place of stove Chairs, sofas
and beds are conspicuous by their alb
senee. The natives sit ON their feet on
the mails and thick padded quilts take the
place Of beds
A small lacquer tray placed on taboret
shout one foot high takes the place of the
dining table. Sitting ON the floor. il is
easy to partake Of the eatables before one.
There is an absence of pictures aud other
decorations. A wall banner or two may
he seen and perhaps vase OF flowers.
The guest room is in the back of the
R@use. This gives the occupant an op-
pcrtunity to look out onto the garden.
which is the attractive feature of the
surrounding landscape. Landscape garden.
fns N Japan is aud always has been fine
art
Negelarianism is carried to an extreme.
Only recently has meat come 10 play a
part in the diet. Fish, flesh and fowl were
once forbidden as food by the tenets OF
Buddhism. Even now they are not used
extensively
Chicken, game, fish and pork are for
sale IN the large cities. 1t would surprise
the American beef eater to watch the
Japanese purchase his supply. They buv
by the ounce. not by the pound. Chick.
ems are divided and the separate parts are
sold individually. A piece of breast is
considered great delicacy and is generally
sold in thin slices. 1t was matter Of
smazement to the Japs to see foreigners
purchase two and three pounds of meat
or two chickens.
kice Is the Jap's staff of life. and vet.
m poverty-stricken districts. even rice Is az
times a luxury. and barley or millet be-
comes the ordinary food. Beans, fresh OF
pie1ied, seaweed, fish, eggs and nuts are
eaten, and sauce made of beans and
wheat and known in the United States as
SOY Is the universal condiment.
Vegetable soup is part of the meals and
as spoons are unknown il is disposed OF
with a loud noise. The chief beverages
are tea and sake. The latter is nm
alcoholic liquor brewed from rice. The
tea is taken without sugar or cream.
At first a Japanese meal seems unsatis.
fylng, but in time one comes 10 like it
The larger cities all have European hotels
with japanese cooks, and the wealthier
class have at least one European" meal
. day
The japanese dress attracts attention.
Beng lovers Of nature the japanese do not
consider il immodeSt TO be seen in public
IN the earb Of nature, and in the interior
primitive Innocence prevails to great
extent. Il hot weather. children 20 stark
naked and men wear only loin.cloth.
In the open ports foreign ideas Of mod
esty are more strongly enforced and the
result is more clothing Is worn. much 10
the discomfort Of the natives. The Jan
snese costume consists of shirt, a loose
sllk gown fastened at the waist with a
silk sash, short socks with separate places
for the big toes and sandals or wooden
clogs.
For ceremonial occasions divided skirt
and silk coat, on which appears the
family crest, are worn Ia winter two
OF three padded gowns are added. In all
Seasons many SO barelegged harefooted