Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-06-26

| town, stopping for a moment at a
celebrated beach from which an espe-
cially fine view of Full Is had, and
went to the cocoon exchange, which
was opened formally for the season
Immediately after our arrival, the gov
ernor of the prefecture reading short
address of combined welcome to us and
authorization for the commencement of
trade in cocoons. AS soon as he had
given the go" sign all the brokers,
seated around a long wooden fat
fioored trough. clapped their hands in
unison several times and four atten-
dantS, standing in the trough with pad
dies in their hand, began to roll forth
the cocoons, one basket at a time, the
brokers making their bids by means of
chalk marks on wooden discs, each of
which bore the token of the individual.
Sales were quickly effected, basket after
basket being thus disposed of. After
each sale a hand-clapping signal was
given.
Leaving the cocoon exchange we
drove to the railway station and en-
trained for Kanaya to see tea growing
and experimental preparation. Motor
cars took us up a high hill to an i'm
mense tea plantation. The fields look
like endless growths of lockwood. The
tea bushes are low and trim and
neatest of all under cultivation by man.
nasmuch as we are to see more tea
today, I will not 60 into details about
this product, save to say that we were
strongly impressed by the fact that the
japanese tea growers are anxious to
convince the American tea drinkers that
their product is the best to be had,
Statistics indicate that the exports of
Japan tea, which is green tea, are not
as large as heretofore Whether this
falling of is due to change of taste
in other countries or to some mere
passing condition is not evident. But
the price is lesSened and so Is the total
annual export. But the product Is
kept to the highest possible standard.
Tea Chief Topic Of Talk.
Shizuoka is the center of the tea
trade. Here are located the organiza-
tions which control the output and the
processing. Tea is the chief topic of
all talk. Tea dominates the atmosphere
tea and Full, who smiles down on
all this activity with benignity.
The government experiment station
Is situated in the heart of a plantation
which was begun some 10 years ago
by the son of the last shotgun of Japan,
who after the change of regime which
deprived the Shoguns of political power
retired to the country and became a
gentleman farmer" The Tokugawa
family became powerful in politics and
trade after the lapse from virtual
royalty. One of these scions of the
shogunate built himself a palace in
Shizuoka. which is a very ancient city
with most romantic history. In after
years this palace was taken for other
uses. and today its garden is incorpo-
rated in the grounds of the Fugetsuro
faRI nj - x,,ll} L.
cleaned up here at the hotel from our
days driving and sightseeing, we walked,
just few rods
Our Numadzo reception was hearten-
ing. Our Shizuoka reception was thrill
ing. After We had gone upstairs in the
restaurant to a delightful apartment
overlooking the garden we were greeted
by the sound of a whistle. Our atten-
ton was attracted to the garden. A
sudden spizzling of a f1rework startled
us. A rocket-like thing went thinning
across the little lake and banged into
something solid on the other side. There
was splutter of fire. then a big set
piece" sprang into view, with the word
welcome" in big letters.
After this surprise we were prepared
for almost anything in the way of
friendly gestures. We went upstairs
again to long banquet hall. with the
USUAL CuSIllonS ana HCIle low CapleS LOT
a native feast. We had delicious
japanese dinner served by about 20
geishas, some of whom performed
dances. Twice during the evening the
whistle blew and we went to the balcony
and witnessed fireworks displays, each
a brilliant success. and each with a
touch specially pertaining to our visit
They certainly know how to entertain
here in Japan. But do wish that the
typewriting tables were little higher.
I have managed to last throughout this
letter. but only by dint of stretching
my legs out under the low structure
1t is not exactly according to style, but
1t is better than sitting cross-legged.
NOTE: Another of Mr.. Lyons letters
will anDear tomorrow