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THE WONDERFUL CITY OF TOKIO.
downward upon this work-bench, take a brush moistened with
shibu and paste the paper, then pass the brush over both sides
of the thin ribs forming the frame, touching the polished outer
bars on their inner surface only. I now spread out the frame
and lay it on the wet paper, then take a second paper and place
it on the back of the fan, that done, I rub it smooth with my
fingers. You will observe, while I do this, I keep
bars in my hand. I now fold the fan, press it tightly
the outer
so as to
make the edges of the paper adhere to the inner surface of the
polished sticks, then slip on a band to keep the article in shape."
w How long are the ogi drying? " asked Johnnie.
" It all depends upon the weather,'' said the manufacturer.
" In summer the moisture of the paste rapidly evaporates, in win-
ter it is sometimes two days before the fans are ready for
packing."
"What are those blank ogi for?" inquired Sallie.
T To write poems on and to paint," replied the man. " There
are thousands of amateur artists who employ their leisure time
in decorating fans for their friends, such articles forming a very
important branch of our business."
" How many kinds of fans do you make?" asked Sallie.
"Nearly one hundred," he answered. "We have ogi for
common use, for marriages, funerals, various religious cere-
monies, and for hot and cool weather."
"What scene is this?" demanded Johnnie, taking up a fan
"
and critically examining the picture. This is quite a pretty
view and is in admirable perspective."
rr
That is Tono-sawa on sen (the hot spring of Tono-sawa,
Hakone) . Many people go
there to drink the waters and admire
the scenery. What do you mean by saying it has perspective?
Our artists perfectly understand how to depict distant objects as
they appear to us in nature."