The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-07-09

stretch on either side, with frost-laden
trees and temples covered with snow,
Then the panorama changes. and he is
among cherry blossoms and green
trees. The air is full Of the fragrance
of spring. a little further, summer
greets him with flowers and fruit. and
finally the panorama changes again
and the trees put IN their autumn
tints. 1t Is a very beautiful introduce
tion to Japan.
A series of interesting tableaux Illus
trate the history of the country from
the earliest days, Figures attired in
costumes thai are accurate in the
smallest detail reproduce the amuse-
meuts and domestic life of medieval
japan. You can see how she lived
when william the Conquerer came to
England. and how little she had
changed when Charles l was be
headed.
The story ends with the late sixties,
when the frock-coat first bltghted the
country. II is deeply depressing to
turn from the graceful. richly colored
garments of the old days ana en-
counter an uncomfortable, middie-aged
ia pauese gentleman h has been
thrust into black trousers and other
improvements" of western civilization.
The textile exhibits bewilder one with
their variety ana nTOIusiOh- 49,
| cred silks of wonderful pattern are on
every side. There are marvellous eX-
a1nples of n~eedlework and kimonos and
| screens. There are stands filled with
quaint Japanese dolls in almost every
conceivable costume. and miniature
dolls houses and household articles re
produced with striking fidelity
Work of Artists
Altogether, there are more than 1000
private Japanese exhibits embracing
many Industries. Blackwood furniture,
bronzes without number and porcelain
from famous factories await the con-
noisseur. You can BUY a bronze dragon
1--WE feet high e" a tiny figure scarcely
as long as ones finger. The display OF
screens is especially interesting. Ihey
are Of all sizes, and range from a few
shilIings to a hundred pounds in price.
Every article has been set in its
proper place by an artist Inc golo
screens and black ~lacquered furniture
and glowing silks are all shown with
an intellig m: appreciation of their
color values. Everything Is in har-
mony. Window dressing is an art at
shepherds Bush. Many western mer-
chants might profit by the Inspection
Of some Of these stands.
A wonderful imperial gateway with
gates Of carved. unpublished wood Is the
entrance TO one OF the largest exhibits
in the man Japanese pavilion, Inside
is shown q reproduction OF a room IN
the imperial palace at TOXIC with
curious gold and black, lacquered chairs
and bronze standard lamps. There Is
another model of a temple in the same
building. where visitors can inspect
more furniture of quaint de-
sign. Close by a Toxic firm is selling
black-and-gold cabinets, some OF them
SIX feet high.
Historic Armor
Ancient armor. historic swords, rare
prints and paintings, and other almost
priceless treasures can be found at Shep-
herds Bush, The art exhibits alone de-
serve days OF careful Inspection. FOR
those who prefer TO study native life, the
settlements at the upper end of the
grounds will afford much diversion. The
Ainu and Formosa headhunters, who
made their debut on Saturday, are worth
more thar a hurried visit. The head
hunters boast of a horrid past, and the
Afnu next door have an interest all their
own. They believe that the founder of
their house was II dog. and their appear
ance does not justify one in quarreling
over the matter.
There are ten Ainu, living in low. thatch-
ed huts and protected from the demoral-
izing world by a sixpenny turnstile. They
held q kind Of all-day levee on Saturday.
squatting on a mat beside their fire-box
and household utensils, and bowling to the
| people who peered at them through the
little windows OF their houses. Thief
Kasame. the doyen of the party, looks
liks a nutbrown edition OF Father Time,
He Is Il benevolent old gentleman, with
long. curling whiskers, and he smiled
blandly ON all visitors. 1t Is sad to think
that the smile may have masked a can
nibalistie appetite-a heritage from his
great-grandfather-and that the interest
with which he eyed a portly gentlema.
from the midlands was probably !nsptred