THE WARLIKE JAPANESE.
Star , Issue 5369, 21 September 1895, Page 7
About this newspaper
THE WARLIKE JAPANESE.
The very playthings in Japan have now a warlike character. The -Japan Mail says that even the game of chess is transformed, the figures being painted clay 'images representing Japanese and Chinese soldiers of various ranks. A long line of mechanioal toys, either of tin or wood, by turning a crank or by Bimple clockwork; are made to show Chinese combatants in a large variety of unenviable positions, sometimes pursuod by Japanese troopers, who make terrific sweeps with sword or lance in a stately see-saw; or prisoners caught by their queues and trying to avoid the rising and falling blades. Clay figures representing Chiha-; men pleading for mercy are nsed at paperweights or desk ornament.. In another bit of mechanism a Japanese war-_hip is gradually closing with a Chinese vessel.) The latter is struck, her flag comes down with a rush, and the doomed vessel sinks beneath the wild tin waves. A fortress is shown with Japanese soldiers storming it. A favourite bit of clay modelling represents five or six Chinese cavalry-men in full flight through a wood. This is to be found in nearly every toy shop. Finally, a little pinewood box contains toothpicks, on each of which is written some ode, in almost illegibly microscopic characters, in praise of Japan's warriors.
