JAPANESE LIFE.
Bruce Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 1637, 17 April 1885, Page 6
About this newspaper
JAPANESE LIFE.
Whether the mode of life followed by the hundred and odd denizens of the Japanese village at Knightsbridge is the same as in their native land is naturally open to some doubt, but a study of their habits conveys a fairly accurate view of every-day life in Japan. "In their division of the day, tho Knightsbridge Japs do not materially differ from us, rising at seven and partaking of their Azagozi, or breakfast, at half-past eight. This meal, served in the commodious common room set apart for their accomodation consists of tea served with salt instead of milk or sugar, and boiled rice. In the preparation of this simple dish they are very particular. The rice is flrst well -trashed in cold water and dried in a cloth, after which it is boiled over a charcoal fire. In order to satisfy the breakfaster, the rice must be prepared by a Jap : any intermeddling by foreign hands rendering the dish defiled. Dinner is served under the name of Shiroo-Meshi at one o'clock, and consists of a goodly variety of dishes, from boiled rice to broiled fish served with ketchup or soy. The favourite fish are cod and haddock, of which large quantities are daily consumed. The side dishes are. made up of turnips boiled with salt, turnip*top_ and parsley chopped fine and served with vinegar and soy, apples or oranges, tbe only beverage allowed being tea, as at breakfast. A piece de resistance much relished, but reserved for high days and holidays, knewn as Katsubooshi, is made of dried porpoise, which a storing of several months has rendered gamey in flavour. This substance, for which all the Japanese h*sve a great predilection, gets exceedingly hard and solid by keeping, and, being too tough to cut, it is served by being planed with a carpenter's tool, after which the shavings are dished up with soy. The visitor who is tempted to try this delicacy with probably regret hie rashness, the food being neither tasty nor digestible to a European. The last solid meal of the day is Hoochar, or high tea, served at six o'clock, when fish, rice, bread and tea are provided. The Japanese bed is a by no means uncomfortable arrangement, consisting of a kind of mattress of red material, three inches thick, having a black velvet lining, on which the sleeper reposes, his covering being an eider-down quilt. The most curious and seemingly uncomfortable part is the pillowi which takes the form of a fan-shaped box of lacquer, the shallow end having • curve to fit the sleeper's neck, while the other is furnished with a drawer, in which be deposits bis valuables on
retiring. The ladies' quarters at Knightsbridge are interesting, having been specially erected for their present occupants. A somewhat largo compartment is surrounded by a gallery, from which, as well as on the ground floor, a number of little cells are curtained off. Each cell is furnished with a bed similar to that above described, the only other contents consisting of the fair occupant's spare clothes. In the matter of dress the Japanese damsel is not extravagant, her entire costume consisting only of what is outwardly visible. Underclothing she has none, the differences of climate being provided for by the different thicknesses of the outer garment. With the exception of the ornaments worn in the hair, the only other articles of dress carried are the tabi, or divided socks of whito cotton, having double soles of plaited thread. The principal difference in the appearance of fche occupants of this apartment is the mode of wearing the hair. Children up to the age of four have their head entirely shaved excepting only at the crown. From this age until womanhood is reached various tufts are allowed to grow, showing* at a glance the age of the child. "When engaged the girl shaves her eyebrows and dyes her teeth black by the application of a d«coction of nut gall and iron, which gives a glistening and jetty appearance. When married she wears her hair decorated according to taste, with any number o p ornamental hairpins she fancies. The most important part of a Japanese lady's toilette is the doing of her hair, which involves a somewhat lengthy process. The hair, which is in most cases of considerable length, is well waxed all over, until it assumes a brilliant gloss, and is then, if the wearer be a married woman, brought up from either side and fastened at the crown with a bow, the ends being again curled round so as to form little coils. The whole structure is then fixed by means of hairpins, having sprays of gilt flowers or coins at their end, and the coiffure is complete. Among the occupants of the village are several men of noble birth, two being directly descended from the lately deposed Diamios, but finding their calling gone on the deposition of their parents from the position they held, have turned their abilities to good account, the one following the calling of interpreter, the other having the supreme command of the kitchen. Although the installation of the inhabitants of the Japanese village has been effected without any mishap or misadventure, their residence has already produce d several amusing contretemps. The visit of a score of Japs to a clothing establishment, where they were provided with a European outfit, was productive of much amusement, several of the lads exhibiting considerable ingenuity in donning such simple garments as coat, waistcoat, and trousers, which, notwithstanding their cosmopolitan utility, are not intended to fasten up the back. Mistaking a cake of scented soap for a biscuit, was also the cause of some goodnatured " chaff," while the appeal of the artificer who asked to be allowed to follow soue passing soldiers, in order to witness " the execution " was not granted.
