The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-05

"A
Him by the JaPanose-Assstance Given Him by the Empress

! OF the present conflict. Dsi Nippon looks
upon him as the father Of his country just
as Washington was OF our own.
Compared with the publicity given to
several OF the Japanese warrior princes
and naval leaders, very few nearby glimpse1
OF the Mikado and the Empress have been
obtained by outsiders. the little brown
people remaining in this respect, despite
their amazing progress in other directions,
| quite sui peneris. For that reason the fol-
lowing impressions OF Mutsuhito may be Of
interest.
Shortly before leaving Toxic In Novem-
Der the writer was invited by the Japanese
Minister OF Foreign Affairs TO repeat for
their Imperial Highnesses a Roentgen ray
lecture previously given before the naval
cadets at Tsukiji 1t was late in the after
noon when we set out In a royal convey
amos provided for the OCCASION having
been supplied with passports, so to say
in the shape Of bamboo hillets upon which
certain ideographs were stamped or rather
burned. Thus equipped we were delayed
at the entrance 10 the imperial demesne
only long enough for the monbop or gate
keeper, 10 examine our credentials SEN
tries. armed with modern rifles. were patrol
ling the grounds the number by actual count
being 10t sentries and officers between
the outer gate and the palace entrance.
Occupying about ninety ceres In the
heart OF Toxic, the imperial demesne is
laid out In spacious esplanades. parterres,
shell walks and drives. ponds and also
lake OF considerable size. fed by springs.
Here and there about the grounds are some
sixty grotcsque marble basins in which
ane maintained probably the most remark
able and complete collection of goldfish in
existence Goldfish vouchsafed our guide,
are a hobby with the Mikado,
Reaching the palace entrance we were
met by an attendant in gorgeous livery
and were conducted into an anteohamber,
where we were provided with cushioned
sandals 10 replace our walking shoes. This
was a wise preoaution, for had VIC worn
ordinary shoes they must certainly have
dishgured the snow white mats and pol
Lhed floors Of laoquered ebony.
As We were conducted down hall after
hall and corridor following corridor, the
palace grew in fancy to enormous proper
tons. As a matter of fact the main build
ing covers nearly six acres. exclusive Of n
number OF pavilIons or minor palaces
within the imperial enclosure accommoda-
tons for court attendants and many OF
the thousand employees in the personal
service OF the Mikado. Everything was
exqulsitely arranged, the prevailing note
being Of Old Japan. rich hut simple. and
artistic beyond the dreams of Western
decorators
Finally, after walking some ten minutes,
icb
10 stop and admire successive masterpieces
OF Japanese art and ingenuity, We were
shown into a room about forty feet SQUARE.
carpeted with an immense bamboo rug
threaded with silk and gold. Near the
centre was a huge chair under a silken
canopy embroidered with pictures Of
storks birds and butterflies. The chair
was placed on dais, which was assembled
by six or seven steps.
The walls. Of silken textiles, were almost
transparent. and the apartment, as the
twilight gathered, was llumined by scores
OF paper lanterns, each Of a different pattern
and color scheme. Placed before the dais
was small table OF ebony. inlaid with what
to be onyx and partly covered
with rich cloth OF embroidered gold. On
the left was another table and a chair.
slightly lower down, for the Empress. while
in the rear were several rows Of richly up
chairs for her gentlewomen and
other members OF the household.
Everything being in readiness, word was
sent to the Mikado, who presently, with
the Empress, entered n the van Of an i'm
passive retinue. consisting chiefly of young
women arrayed in white, with their long
-
red sashes encircling their waists.
His Majesty wore curious robe, strongly |
suggesting Middle Ages and mystery, with !
an upper wide-sleeved garment Of heavy, |
white brooaded silk His voluminous trou- (
sers Of Zouave pattern, were Of thick red !
silk On his head was round black cap |
Of unique design, decorated with a ribbon, |
Of pure gold it was said. As soon as he
was seated a screen was drawn behind |
and to both sides Of the dais {
His Majesty walked. or seemed to walk
with slight stoop as he entered Whether
this was due 20 the imperfect light and his
desire to see clearly or was natural was
hard to tell, On other occasions when In
mis- carriage or on horseback the stoop was
not noticeable Yet it in no wise impaired
he dignity OF his carriage.
Ills hair was coarse and black as the
name Of an Orlof horse, excepting tinge
IF gray at the temples, and was brushed
we'll up from a cafe au lait forehead His
nose large the nostrils full, the lips thick
without being sensuous and the under Jaw
leavy, conveyed an impression Of iron
and tenacity OF purpose.
ie was wearing heavy mustache and thin
hin whiskers.
Last but not least we're the eyes. lustrous,
lark. intelligent and Of piercing keenness.
They peered forth through almond sits
rom under a high, threatening brow and
we're in their swiftly changing expression
It once an index and revelation OF the
personality shining through them Had
ne idea not been preposterous one might
ave imagined them the eyes OF man bor-
iering on fanatioism. Otherwise he an
feared to be in the best Of physical and
mental condition.
His dignity had in it the seeming con-
ciousness Of his having in his veins the
,luest blood Of any ruler on earth. For
Ms dynasty runs back 10 the gods. history
accounting Mutsuhto a direct descendant
# the Mikado Jimmu, who reigned many
hundred years before the Christian era
)ne must consider moment to realize fully
low tall the imperial Japanese ancestral
rec is.
Mutsuhito is perhaps three inches taller
u