Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-04

these scenes. Perhaps I can reproduce
who read this report the quality Of
japanese life and landscape passing in
review before US on our tour.
First came the Hotel Imperial, at
Toxic. We arrived at Yokohama after
dark Of the 10th of May, and were
rushed at once TO Toxic for O dinner
i at a restaurant. It was close to mid
night when we reached the hotel and
were shown to our rooms in that
architectural" structure. I had no idea
of the direction in which my room
faced. In fact, at no time during my
stay IN Toxic did 1 manage to learn
the points Of the compass, and I came
to the conclusion that Kipling's often
quoted lines should really run thus:
ooh. the East Is East and the West
Is West, and never the twain shall be
known"
In the morning I became aware of
sunlight, and on looking out of my
window I Sensed that was in q gen.
eral way facing north, from the fact
that the shadows we're falling to my
left hand. Across the street was q
large granite building, on the top Of
which was a huge electric sign, with
three or four immense japanese letter.
words. Later was told that it was an
insurance Office. 1t was not Strikingly
suggestive of the East, save for those
eccentric characters on the roof.
Got to Know Busiest Street.
To the left hand ran a bread street,
one of the main thoroughfareS of the
capital intersecting a block or so be-
low an even greater artery Of the city's
traffic. I'll not attempt to hunt up
their names in the guide books or
from a map, for never did and per-
haps never could learn them. I did
get to know the name Of the Gina, -"
Tokio'S busiest street of mercantile
trade, but the others slipped through
my ears without making the slightest
impression. Well, this street fianking
the hotel also ran past park, and on
this first morning 1t came pleasantly
into view, and wondered if it was the
park of the imperial palace. I later
found that it was not, the palace park
being a short distance away.
When 1 looked out on that first
morning 1t was a bit too early for much
life in the street. but heard the clatter
of the ''geta" or clogs worn by the
people, and they gave me q distinct
sense of the Orient. Later I was to
find much Of interest in looking out of
my Toxic window. A short time after
awoke that morning a squad Of troops
came marching past below me, unarm-
ed men, evidently rockies in training.
Bullock carts were numbering along,
competing with the occasional motor
trucks. 1t required only a little look
ing out of that window to demonstrate
that manpower is still the chief trans
portation agency in Japan. The bullock
may pull the heaviest loads, but the
man does more, with lighter burdens.
These loads are borne on two wheeled
carts, so nicely balanced that the
weight means the least to the hauler,
man or beast. Some of these loads
are of huge size, mounting so high as
to hide the power" completely. It is
strange to see, as one does occasionally,
Q cart thus loaded, from the rear, with
only the mans legs showing, giving the
impression Of a two-legged beast Of
burden and not human being.
Rickishaw Still Popular.
OF course, the rickishaws came past
my window many of them, all of a
type, with rubber tires. The rickishaw
has not yielded to the motor car, and,
in fact, in the press of traffic the ricki-
shaw demands and gets its right of
way. 1t was not until reached Nara,
by the way, that I had my first view
Of life from the position of rickishaw
rider.
But this Is not to be an account Of
transportation in Japan. That is an
other story. Herein I am trying to
give an impression of my window
glimpSes. They became so fascinating
that spent at the windows most Of
the time passed in my room in day.
time, looking out on the big street at