THE REAL JAPAN.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13737, 19 May 1910, Page 6

THE REAL JAPAN.

There aro features of exceptional interest about, the Anglo-Japanese Exhibition now being held in London. Tho Japanese:—both Government and private* persons—have been at great pains to send to the Exhibition a, collection representative of the arts and crafts, the material .progress, and the social "life of their country. No such collection has over been, seen before either in Japan or outside if. Few people ever get beyond, the fringe of Japanese art and life. Tho late Lafcadio Hearn, who is admitted to havo p?netrated further into the secrets of Japanese life and character than any.other Western investigator, confessed that he did not quito understand the people of his adapted country. The ordinary tourist, even the keen student, returns from Japan baffled by Eastern impassivity and reserve. This is particularly true of tho art of Japan. Most of what passes for Japanese art in other countries bears the same resemblance to the real thing as a cheap coloured picture docs io one of Turner's masterpieces. Even the really fine . products oi Japanese art that havo - gone abroad aro far removed from the work of the men of Old Japan, in which the Eastern connoisseur takes special pride. But few examples of this work have found their way West; most of them belong to Ja_*anc-se collectors, or representatives of old Japanese families, who do not display them to foreign eyes. The Japanese collector never dreams of i exhibiting his treasures in public. Ho does not crowd his pictures on his walls, "but keeps most of them reverently wrapped up in silk coverings, and shows them only to brother connoisseurs on special occasions. The importance of the Japanese art section of this exhibition lies in the fact that collectors and

! nobles have lent the best of their splendid collections, so that Japan's friends in England may see what Japanese art is really like. That such things should be exposed to the risks of a journey across tho world and hack, is a high compliment to England. . Paintings are shown, in strict historical sequence, illustrating . Japanese art from tho ninth century to the present day; sculpture and architectural models are exhibited that were fashioned in the seventh century; swords, armour, pottery, lacquer-work, all of wondrous workmanship, delight the eyes of the Western art-lover. It is said that the splendid handicraft that fashioned such things centuries ago still flourishes, in spite of the competition of cheap machine-made articles. Tho whole of the national life of Japan is represented, from toy-making to the huilding of battleships. Englishwomen will be interested in the achievements of their Japanese sisters, ranging from embroidery and flower decoration to Red Cross work. There are tea gardens exactly similar to gardens in Japan, with flowers and trees strange to English eyes, landscapes in miniature, and tinkling Japanese music. Twelve historical .. tableaux carry the visitor back through twenty-five centuries of Japanese life, while close by modern textile goods and models of battleships demonstrate that Japan can boast a vigorous present as well as a storied past. The educative effect of such a collection must bo very great. Tho old idea of Japan—for which Pierre Loti and his kind are largely responsible—as a country of chrysanthemums and geishas, and the later tendency to emphasise the nation's prowess in battle —aro equally illbalanced. Tho real Japan is a compound of many enthusiasms and activities. The examples of theso that havo been gathered together in the-Exhibi-tion at Shepherds Bush should hroadon many an English mind, and hy leading to n better understanding of Japanese life strengthen the friendship between the two nations.