Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-17


OF royalty who have visited here,
events of which he has personal knowledge,
and of some who came to the Capital many
years before his time, when there was very
little here to see.
turning back the pages of history, we find
that on July 81 1886, His Imperial Hghness
Prince Sandanaru Fushimi of Japan" came
II this CITY for q visit, and little later, dur
ing the same year, Prince kcmatsu, uncle OF
the Emperor, was also. guest here Gong
back even farther, we find among the person
mel of the japanese group that visited TINS
country to ratify the treaty of amity and COM
MERGE proclaimed May %, 1860, other princes
though not of the hereditary order.
This latter, the first japanese representa-
tives to visit this city, included Prince Simmi
I3ooisen no-Kami, Prince Mooragaki AwaJsi
no-Kami Prince Ogoori Bungo Io-Kami Ma
roota Okatoro, Marcusa Gensiro, Tsokahara
Joueoro Hitaka Kcsaboro Orakabi TetSaro,
Matsemoto Sanojou, Ycsida SaGosaicmon Ma
rncura GohajSiro, Masujsu Sintshero, SooJsee
vosagoro Kuri Simahcohajsirc, Susasawa
tscoiero Measaki. Maryama, Tataiesi Tokuj-
Buro, Tataiesi Owajsiro and KowaSakl OF
these, Prince Simmi Bocjsen no-Kami was first
Ambassador and Prince Mooragaki Awajsi no
Kami was second Ambassador
Perhaps no foreign delegation excited more
interest than did this che, which came here
in 1860 in picturesque costumes, not as repre-
sentatives of one of the foremost countries OF
the world, as we find it today but rather as
knocking at the door of civilization Gas we
saw it at that time) for entrance. However,
whatever may have been Japans real or M
agnary enlightened condition II years ago,
since then the country of the Tycoon has
shown the world many things it would not
have thought possible in so short space OF
time
IT was in the middle of May, 1860, that this
special embassy reached the Navy Yard on
board the U. s. s. Philadelphia and was met
by the inspiring famous strains of Hail
Columbia" played by the celebrated Marine
Band. The mayor and the city council were
also there to dignity the occasion, and the
entire body of diplomatic delegates was driven
to the Willard Hotel, where they occupied all
of the lower floor Of one wing, stretching from
Pennsylvania avenue along Fourteenth street
to F..
That they were well taken care of may be
judged by what was said of their suite at the
time:
MANY of these apartments are newly fur
nished and covered for this occasion. The
walls are thicky decorated with fine engrav-
ings, and upon every available place bronze
statuettes, Of which the japanese are fond,
are literally distributed. In all the principal
rooms mirrors reach from floor to ceiling on
every side-a matter Of particular interest to
the visitors, whose only mirrors at home are
small plates Of highly polished steel. The
number of their apartments Is about go, Of
which nearly 20 are reception rooms and par
lon Of various dimensions. For the servants,
the chapel Of the hotel, q spacious and con-
venient hail. has been set apart. Upon the
same floor are those indispensable aids OF
japanese comfort, the bathing rooms. The
japanese exceed all other people In their Scru-
pulous and universal cleanliness fight Of
stairs leads down to their dining room, where
they viii be at liberty to enjoy their meals with
whatever seclusion they may desire In the
basement a small kitchen is at their disposal,
where their peculiar arts of cookery may be
practiced unmolested. private entrance to
their quarters from Fourteenth street Is Sc
cured to them and win be under their own
control
EVERY necessity that could have been fore
seen is supplied. Alterations that the guests
may suggest viii be effected, If possible but
their ready adaptive habits would enable them
to find satisfaction in much less thorough
accommodation than has been provided for
them The luxurious beds which await them
win not at first recommend themselves TO
their pleasant senses, their accustomed places
of repose being nothing softer than rigorous
pine at the best. but it Is possible that by
degrees they may become Injured to feathery
pillows and balmy blankets and that couches
Of downieSt delicacy may not be altogether
unwelcome to them"
EVIDENTLY there were no pianos In Japan
l. at that time, nor would 1t appear that the
race was familiar with musical harmony, for
we are told the piano was to them great
curiosity and that the source Of harmony pro-
duced a mystery. However, it was greatly
interesting TO them and they seemed TO enjoy
1t immensely. The reception accorded the am
bassadors at the White House by President
Buchanan took place on May II, when the
President in his remarks said:
"I give you q cordial welcome as representa-
tives of his imperial majesty, the Tycoon OF
Japan to the American Government We are
all much gratified that the first embassy which
your great empire has ever accredited to any
foreign power has been sent to the United