Evening star., 1931-12-01
BY GRETCHEN SMITH.

TIME casual observer passing the
attractive white stone building
with the green shutters at 2514
Il Massachusetts, avenue, the new
home of the Japanese embassy,
would hardly conceive the suptuous
dimensions Of the numerous rooms
within its walls.
The residence of the Ambassador,
while occupying the same plot of
cleverly situated at some distance back
from the avenue, the front entrance
facing a spacious court Of stone flag
ging, fenced by a simple white iron
barrier.
Peeping through this fence, the
passer-by would readily remark upon
the simple. dignified beauty of the
stone facade, but the exterior view
would hardly convey the idea of space
ceived upon entering.
Winged on Either Side.
Handsome Greek columns separate
the wide entrescl from the long cor
ridor which runs through the center
of the buildings entire length At
either side of the entresol are wings,
each containing two rooms; gentle
mems coat room and a handsome
smoking room in the west wing and
at the east, ladies' dressing room and
reception salon.
The smoking room is Of particular
note because of its handsomely -paneled
walnut walls and leather-upholstere
furniture.
At the west side of the long corridor
dividing the two front wings is a spiral
stairway, with wrought iron balustrade,
Loo IN %rry4 AIHn ~~,I.a
are located the private rooms of the
envoy and his family.
Leading from the corridor are the
three formal living rooms of the build
ing: a reception room at the west side,
a long, high-ceilinged drawing room
in the center and a dining salon, one
of the handSomest rooms In the en-
bassy, at the eastern end.
Dining Table Will Seat 36.
The dining table, made especially for
the room, from a solid piece of Cuban
mahogany, will seat 36 persons.
In the interior decorating Of the
building have been introduced several
new notes in the color scheme Of hang
ings and upholsteries. Only the formal,
center drawing room adheres to a single
pattern for chairs and settees, uphol-
stored in heavy silk with pastel-colored
ngure design upon a WnlCe background.
This room, whose deep French windows
open upon the f1agstone terrace over
looking Rock Greek Valley, has dra-
peries of French-blue silk and a taupe
velvet rug,
The smaller reception room, opening
to the west, diScloSes several pieces Of
furniture with different colored uphol-
steries. Two chairs of rose velour, sew
eral chairs and seats Of gold brocade
and a single settee of French blue We
lour offer the "dernier mot" in color
combination, blending pleasantly with
the hangings Of blue and the rug of
taupe velour, similar to those in the
formal drawing room.
Has Vista Of Rock Greek.
All three of the main living rooms
open upon the terrace, which offers one
of the most delightful vistas of Rock
Creek in the city. The steep bank, fall
ing beneath the building to the park
below, has been planted in honey
suckle, small trees and shrubs, and a
riot Of vegetation Is promised by Spring.
The approach to the embassy from
Massachusetts avenue Is bordered with
wide plots Of Implanted ground in
stead Of the usual grass lawns. A ten
mis- court, at one side, offers outdoor
recreation to residents of the embassy,
while beneath the 10 or more Offices Of
the chancery a squash court has been
built for those who prefer indoor ex-
ercise.
Although many fine porcelain and
cioisonne pieces are to be seen on man
els and tables. it was explained by q