"THE LAND OF THE MIKADO."

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 236, 3 October 1894, Page 2

"THE LAND OF THE MIKADO."

"The kimona, a garment in general use and fashionable for generations in Japan, is singularly becoming to the women, bno nob to the men. That worn by the fair sex, which conies down to the ankles, often foiminga train, has a sleeve about a yard wide which doe 3 duty as a pocket. It is folded across the chest, leaving the neck bare, and is fastened round tho waist with a broad Bash of some rich silk material called an 'obi;' a square padded pieco of Bilk is secured under this sash ab tho back, and looks decidedly grobesquo and ungainly, giving* tho idea of a hump on tho back. When worn by a well-dressed Japanese woman and made of some brightcoloured richly - embroidorod silk or crepe, these garments look very becomin-;. The feeb are covered with short whilo calico socks, having a pockeb for the big toe, tho ' tabis 'or cloga aro of wood, just the width and breadth ofthe foot, with two strips of wood, underneath, raising tho wearer from three to six inches off the ground, the higher ones being worn on wet days ; tho big toe is inserted under a strap of Velvet fastened across the clog, tho foot being tens held in ibs place. The clattering noiso made by these wooden foet gear is always noticed by a new arrival, and to hear two or three hundred men and women walking down the concrete platform of a railway station, with their peculiar short, jerky strut, "makes a sound only to be heard in Japan.

"Tha Japanese never enter a. house or public building wearing thoir cfptre, bhe foot is withdrawn with ease, from its covering, which remain outside until the visitors' exit. Ib was often amusing to see, outside a native church, frbta 100 to 200' pairs of these clogs, differing greably in size, style and even colour, all arranged in rows or perhaps pub on a shelf by an old doorkeeper, part of whose duby ib is to label them so as bo avoid con funion. This custom is explained by bhe fact that upon tho floor of a Japanese house the family eat, Bleop, spend their time and die—the floor represents to them the bed, chair, lounge and generally table, and, knowing this, one readily falls in with their fashion of taking off your boots.

"Thefacea.of.the.women aro often pretty, with a healthy1 pink and whibo complexion, the eye 6 are generally small and almond Bhaped, bub their countenances are remark able for a ' flab' expression, as-if eomp one had sat on their faces when they were born. They are, however, rendered pleasing by a laiighing, roguish expression. They have such little bibs of hands and feeb, quite iv proportion to their diminutive figures, and their voices render their beautiful language in melodiously softlonos."

Sowrites "An Aucklander'1' in an interesting readable article on Japan, one of a Beries appearing in the "Holping Hand." The October issue is a particularly interesting number, containing an account ox bhe recent.Christian Endeavour Convention, by Mr G. Newcomb, and a long letter from Miss Blakeley, who has left for China. The leading arbicle, " Why Are We Poor ?" should be widely read and laid to hearb. It is a strong indictment against the liquor traffic by Rev. Joseph Berry. "The Gospel Out of Doors," and "Our Benevolenb Work," direct attention to some features of the working of the Helping Hand Mission, while a good photo of the evangelist, Rev. Thos. Cook, is given. *A number of other original and carefully-selected items rnako up a really che'jip and valuabfe paper that ought to be in every home.