Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-08-22

gressive and has been one of the strongest
influences in introducing modern IDEAS ana
customs at the court of Japan. She has
worn foreign garments for more than eisnt-
cen years, and now never wears anything
else and takes an active interest in benev-
client and educational movements. She ire
Uuently appears at ceremonial entertain
ments. cornerstone laying and lnaugurd
lions of other public enterprises ana al
though of dimnutive stature ana very
plain features. she conducts herself Win
the greatest dignity and grace. &C..
An interesting story is told OF the nrsl
foreign garments that were mace , lui 10 90
when she discarded the kimono OF ner rae rae
in 1886 A French dressmaker from 1oho-
hama was summoned to the paiace, pu. t
the etiquette of the court forpaoe heI "
touch the sacred person of the eHpf 50
the wife of Count Ito, then prime mins.ei'
who was about the same size ana nsule,
served as a model for measuring anu n''ihs
her majesty's wardrobe En
lish and French but never does 50. W
strangers at least. When addressed III E,H
lish by ladies who are Admitted 10 an auu t
ence she smiles and bows, but never 'eh'-
ureS reply. .,n,1od
in preparing hospital supplies for the army
and a few days ago large p .,,os =,
ages made with her own hand was TOT waro
ed to the Red Cross headquarterss, d - the
shima She is keeping all the iauies " anS
imperial household at similar ntron of
has heen the promoter and the patron ~
numerous relief societies at the ape a.
She still retains an actiVe ih.ete aad AZ
school for Peeresses, when she i.s.o,ce
teen years ago. and attehueu o usual There
ment exercises this summer as usudi non
hac haen a tremendous advance III .Iie O..
d;tion Of women in Japan of late years, lo'
which the empress Is largely
The Ancient Throne.
The ancient throne of Japan may No 49,
seen in the Imperial Museum az ioN' 49,
one that was used by the m1kaoo u''1 ~
restoration about thirty years aeo
= n,.+forno eighteen inches high and t"eiVe
foot square. covered with the stra" hia'-
ting that you find on the moor oa .,;tI
native house in Japan, ana Is spi .a 80
rmus IF exquisite embroidery. In tne cen
tor is a silken cushion upon when MS ~.
nerial majesty sat with his legs cross .sI
tailor fashion, whenever ne ies ,,rt The
minister's or a member or the coui
throne is covered and concealed WIN nc,
square CANOPY and curtains OF WHITE SIN
de!icately embroidered with the ihpeiIoi
crest, and supported by lacquered coluli. .a.
This canopy concealed him from an eyes
except those of his personal attendants
through whom he communicated with tne
public The imperial robes, the SWORDS
saddle and other equipments OF inc en-
peror are also shown, with the ahcien. ca
rtape drawn by bullock in which the
mikado and his family used to ride about.
Today the Emperor of Japan wears no
embroidered brocades, but miiltafy UNI
form of blue broadcloth or white DUCK
deliberately trimmed with gold braid ana
bearing the insignia of a field marshal The
imperial throne Is a gilded chair under a
scarlet canopy, but he never occupies IL
except when he receives an ambassador
from some fellow sovereign. And no screens
of silk are now necessary to conceal his
sacred person from the eyes of the profane
For four or five hours each day he occupies
revolving cane-seated chair and sits at
4af- dacL wit al a. d
de-camp at the opposite side to receive his
instructions and make memoranda of notes
that he desires to have written to his min
listers or the commanders of his army or
navy. Those VINO have business with his
majesty report him to be simple, thought
fIl. consderate man, with an inquisitive
mind and a remarkable memory. l am
told that he knows much about the ar
niles in Nanchuria as General Count kOd-
anna himself.
The Emperor Without Humor.
The emperor is of a serious temperament
He has no sense of humor, shrinks from
society. but is fond of work and shooting,
and takes most of his exercise at rifle
range within the palace grounds, which
include twenty-six acres, surrounded by
wall. and give a reasonable amount of room
for his ma jesty to exercise in. He has sew
eral palaces in different parts of the coun
try which he never visits, and game pre-
serves Wnere ne never SHOOTS. he never
takes vacation and his ministers say that
his habit of labor is incurable.
Although the emperor is in excellent
health, he is always attended by physicians.
There are four eminent medical gentle
men attached to the imperial household. one
of whom is within call at all times night
and day. His majestys pulse and tempera-
ture are taken four times every twenty
four hours in the presence of two of the
doctors when they relieve each other OF
duty, and the results are carefully record
ed, just as II he were a patient in hos
pital. The prince imperial and his baby
sons are subject to similar medical sur
veillance He has two, and they have two
physicians always in attendance, and log
book is kept of their physical condition like
that of the mikado. The little princes are
now at Myanoshita, favorite resort In the
mountains with their guardians, doctors,
nurses and other attendants, making
staff of twelve.