New-York tribune., 1911-02-12

the aesthetic tourist. The other three are
decidedly worth while. the last two on
the list because they present soberly the
other side of the shield, long overlooked
or deliberately ignored in the chorus Of
indiscrminating praise
If ever the legendry, hero tales, myth
ology and early history of a country re-
qured adaptation TO the understanding
and interest of the average Western
mind they are those of Japan. In their
original form, with its minuteness Of de-
tails and its bewildering multiplicity of
names, they are ineXpressibly tedious TO
all but the student, who, boring below
the surface. has found the kernel TO be SO
well worth while. Mr.. Langford's "Story
of Old Japan" is a condensed cOmpila-
tion in popular, readable form Of all this
enormous amount Of material as 1t has
been made accessible in translations of
japanese classics, in the transactions of
various learned societies and in the diaries
and chronicles of early missionaries and
travellers. In addition, Mr.. Langford,
for thirty-three years a resident Of the
country as a member of the British
consular service. has adapted to the re-
ouirements Of his book a number Of
japanese historical works that have
hitherto remained untransated. \ good,
scholarly piece OF writing to be recon-
rnended 10 those who are interested IL
the old japan as well as in the new.
Mr.. Tyndale puts Japan into MS thirty
two attractive colored illustrations, and
the japanese into his text. His view Of
them is that of the itinerant painter in
search Of material for his brush-super-
fetal. amiable, easily amused Strangely
enough he. though an artist does not
object 10 the current attempts Of young
Japan to initiate the art of the West.
"They are" he says Justly proud Of
their native art, but they feel that II is
less complete than that Of Europe, with
its fuller knowledge Of light and shade
and perspective" He also holds that
they may get beyond the second rate
and produce modern pictures that could
hold their own either in Paris or any
where else" Chi bono? one asks with
apprehension for the future Of native
Japanese art. Mr.. Tyndale was Informed
IN Kioto that the craze for Western
dress was dying out among japanese
women. his informant, japanese ar
fist. explaining that
not only the artists, but all the men,
thought the Western dress unbecoming 10
their women VINO were no. IoH7 =. IT, a. ai.o
ing TO their national costume. IL Is also
less extraVaCant because there are no suu-
Gen changes in fashion, and IL is more
cIeaniv from its being much simpler 10
wash.
The English woman's impressions OF
fanan Behind the Screens" are the result
NJ six wears residence in the country
Fngland's little brown allies" as she
calls them by preference, have not hiled
her with a blind enthusiasm. she de-
scribes them as they came 10 appear TO
her after watching them and their ways
dav in and day out. 1t is the difference
she ENTHUSIASTICALLY remarks, between be-
bavjor before company and frank SELL
revelation in the privacy of the break
fast table. She strikes, on the whole
what seems TO be an impartial medium
,rbe Japanese as she depicts them are
lust human beings like ourselves with
cer,a{n reservations for the insurmount-
ahle ,.5gtx@Ge between East and West.
,.n,, old Japan she admires for Its many
virtues. cor resV being not tie least OF