Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-05-28

life of lady of Japan are as endless as
those OF the most popular society woman
in America. In chrysanthemum land per-
son of exquisite politeness when hidden to
an entertainment arrives hour or two
before tim appointed time to show her ex-
treme eagerness to meet the delightful hos
tess. Imagine the horror of an American
upon being obliged to play the polite for
two hours before the feast!
When refreshments are served the guest
must accept everything that Is offered and
must praise the dishes aloud and utter
long signs of satisfaction as she partakes
of them. What cannot be eaten is care
fully put up in a silk handkerchief and sent
to her home. After the meal the guest
must not lose a minute in making her
adieus and taking her departure.
These very ceremonious hostesses always
serve tea and cakes to q lady caller, no
matter at what hour the visit may be paid.
and as the ladies of the Land of the Rising
Sun are sociable and lat home days are
not observed it may be imagined what
tax this hospitality can become. The Wis
itor must drink a tiny cup OF pale yellow
tea. euiltless of sugar or milk. must accept
a dainty cake, although it Is never con-
sumed, but drapped In a piece OF hne SILK
paper. wad of which Is always carried IN
the bosom of the kimono. The cake Is Pc
slowed as something very precious in the
bottom OF the long sleeve. which serves the
oriental woman as pocket
Just Like Home Folks.
These Japanese ladies have their innocent
SOCIAL shams, and when disinclined to re-
ceive a visitor a confidential maid Is sent
to the door, who, bowling profoundly. ex-
plains in the most natural way In the world
that her mistress is overcome with sorrow
at her not being able to see the honorapie
caller but she is at that moment engaged
in taking a bath, an oriental variation oi
the western mot at home" excuse
Travelling civilities are strange IN tnls
topsy turvy country. If versed in etiquette
a travelling companion opens conversation
by asking where you come from and your
destination She will politely insist upon
knowing your age among other family mat
tiers and will require full particulars as TO
your children, IL you have any, Ii an oku,
sauna honorable LADY, Is being interviewed
her dress will be admired and gently
touched. and she will be asked If the ma.
terial washes.
The life of a Japanese girl, in spite or the
self effacement demanded of her, Is full or
interest She is taught to make her own
clothes, and an odd thing about her work Is
that instead of pushing her needle through
the stuff, as Is our western mode. she
goes along and an eXquisitely neat and
swift. worker she is. The almond-eyeo
maidens are very fond of poetry and are
many of the best Japanese writer's of inn
aginative novelties are women. ia
NOUS authoress was Ichyo San. who I'M
fortunately died not long ago.
A Serious Matter.
Going to the play in Japan is a serious
undertaking The whole family puts in
an appearance, from the grandfather
down to the baby, and even the servants.
The performance often lasts twelve hours,
the audience meanwhile eating and smok-
ing and the atmosphere is sitting, the
,theaters being lighted by long. guttering
candles, which have to be constantly
Snuffed, Tragedies and sensational pieces
are most in favor.
These are some quaint little ways Of the
quaint little Japs and although their
country has been called the paradise OF
the married man, the women appear
merry and contented. A Japanese lady
always looks as If she were only keeping
back smile, and the Japanese smile Is
the daintiest in the world.