Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-27
JAPANESE ART WORK
Presented to Library of Con-
gress by Mr.. Crosby S. Noyes.
PAINTINGS AND BRONZES
Illustrate Wide Range Of Art motives
of the Race.
THE LETTER OF PRESENTATION
Containing Opinions on the Character
of the japanese and Estimates Of
Their Artistic Expression.
PAINTINGS AND BRoNzEs
THE LETTER OF PRESENTATION

iHeTe Is now on exhibition at the Library
OF Congress a portion of a collection OF
japanese prints, paintings illustrated books.
etc, got together by Mr.. Crosby 8. Noyes
and presented by him last autumn to that
institution. Though the gift was made and
accepted over three months ago, announce
ment has been postponed until a part of
the collection could be placed on public
view. Since last October the division of
prints and private translator have been
occupied almost continuously in prepara-
lions for this event--mounting the prints,
cataloguing the exhibits, arranging the
works chronologically and interpreting their
incoming, that in every possible way they
might be not oniy accessible, but readily
understood by the casual visitor as well as
the student. The collection given to the
Library of Congress consists of about one
thousand illustrated books, four or five
hundred prints and engravings and as many
as two hundred and fifty original sketches,
and 1t is supplemented by loan collection
of netsukes, kodguka handles, sword guards,
old and modern bronzes, wood and ivory
carvings. lacquers and keramicS Its gen.
eral character and object are set forth in
the following letter. which is published
now at the request of the librarian of
Congress.
Hon. Herbert Putnam, Librarian of the
Congressional Library, Washington,
d. c.:
MY Dear Sir: The collection of Japanese
pictures, engravings, illustrated books, etc,
which l hereby tender to the Congressional
Library, Washington, D. c., will, 1 think,
serve to supply in some degree an illuStra-
ton OF the extraordinary variety in Japa-
nese art and an instructive and timely in
sight into the history, legends, religions,
industries, amuseGnents, folk lore, fauna
and flora, scenery, drama and all the wide
range of art motives of the wonderful reo-
interest.
"A study of the many-sided Japanese
character develops sharp contrasts at every
turn. A visit to Japan in time of peace
gives the impression of a gentle, refined.
light-hearted, artistic, peaceable pleasure
loving. rather frivolous people, with pas
sonate love for flowers, fine scenery ard
all that Is beautiful in nature; nice and
dainty in their tastes, carrying their hab-
its of personal and household cleanliness
to the extreme, and spending consider
able portion of their time in. enervating
hot baths.
Again, seen in their almost continuous
round of festivals throughout the year,
they seem to be holding a perpetual hoIi-
day.
another turn, and beholding them swarm
ing in the rice fields, the tea plantations,
the vegetable and flower gardens, the work
shops the fisheries and the school rooms.
and all Japan seems to be industrious
beehive, and every man, woman and child
at work or in study.
Transformed Into Heroic Warriors.
Then war comes, and these same gentle,
peaceable, volatile, understood sybarites
are transformed in a twinkling into heroic
warriors of fanatical courage, unparalleled
forttude, stoical endurance of pain, intense
tenacity of purpose and self sacrificing de-
votion to country that has never been sur
passed in the history of the world.
The stronger and nobler qualities of the
japanese have been perSlStently underra-ed
by most writers.
pierre Lott, in his Madame Chrysan-
theme characteriZes them as chattering
monkeys, interesting only for their quaint
ness and comcality.
Even Sir Edwin Arnold, their ardent adj
mirer, while laudng their charming cour-
tesy, their exquisite arts and their almost
divine sweetness of disposition ends by
rating them as butterflies with no Sc
rious purpose in life.
Basil Hall Chamberlain, in Things Jap
anese,' while cordially joining with Sir Ed
win Arnold in laudation of their art cour-
tesy and sweetness of temper also accepts
his estimate of the people as pretty weak
lings
Miss E. R. scidmore however, a thought
full and acute observer OF Japanese life
and character in her delightful 'Jinricki-
sha Days in Japan, while characterizng
the japanese as the enigma of this cen
fury; the most inscrutable, the most para
doxical of races, and setting forth duly
the volatile and apparently frivolous side
of the japanese character, dwells with
emphasis upon it's contrasting solid quail
ties of wisdom. dignity, nobility, thought
fulness and conscientiousness. At mo-
ments, she says they appear to be a
trifiing, superficial, fantastic people, bent on
nothing but pleasing effects; and again,
the occidental is a babe before the deep
mysteries, the innate wisdom, the phil
osophies, the art, the thought, the subtle
refinements of this charming people who
so quickly win the admiration, sympathy
and affection of the stranger.
Their art as we'll as character is notable
for it's diversity and strong contrasts In
it's different schools-academic, realistic and
impressionist-it is by turns vigorous,
graceful grotesque, weird, decorative, re
fined intense. dainty and poetic. It is dis
tinguished by the exquisite beauty of it's
color harmonies delicate gradauons of
tone. subtle fneness of touch contrasted
with bold drectness of method for the deli
cacy, accuracy, and at the same time the
vigor of its line. ranging from hair
breadth TO the width of an inch It has
been well described as a combination of
delicate grace fnfallible accuracy and unos-
tentatious verve, the same brush welded
with admirable strength, and reveling in
microscopic elaboration of detail
And Japanese art, as well as character
has been misunderstood and misrepre-
scented.
Japanese Art Misunderstood.
"Sr Rutherford AIcock. in his supercilious
and superficial Art and Art Industries of
Japan shows his profound ignorance of
his subject when he quotes approvingIy
from an eminent art critic of his ac-
quaintance as declaring that the Japanese
artists do not appear to know what beauty
is In the human FORM that there does
not seem to be the least trace of sentiment
or kindness between the human specimens
of the race. They all look at each other
hatefully, spitefully, absurdly. 1 do not
| understand 1t! An art which is blind to
beauty, virtue, pathos, piety-everything
charming and eleyating In man.
And Sir Rutherford Alcock adds that he
is compelled to agree with his friend, the
eminent art critic, in his condemnatory
verdict
Now the art of the Japanese-the gem
tlest, as well as the -bravest. of human
kiud--has been applied all through it's his
tory to the illustration Of the tender rela-
tons between parents and children, the de-
voted affection of friends, to portraying acts
of heroism, virtue, piety. fervid patriotism,
and ready sacrifice of life to duty, honor
| friendship and in behalf of country.
"A welI-informed writer on Japanese art
says In The Collector and Art Critic
Back of all Japanese art lies the oriental
| mind, which reves in symbolism, In allie
CORY teaching some virtue moral IN
| pretty poetic fancy, reminder OF some
| historical heroism held up as an example or