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A JAPANESE HOME. 23
and smirks up the wide stone walk. On the ample
porch, or vestibule, our young host, son of Mr. Rai,
meets us. Though politely invited not to do so, we
take off our shoes or sandals, as all well-bred Japanese
do. Passing up a long corridor, we step upon the
stainless matting and into the parlor,
or za-shiki.
The name of this best room or parlor means " sittingplace
" ;
but there is
nothing to sit on but the floor,
which is covered with spotless matting. The Japanese
carry their chairs on their heels, and these or the
soles of these are what they rest on when at ease.
this open airy room there are no sitting conveniences.
The usual resplendent cleanliness of floor, woodwork,
and ceiling, the usual vase of flowers
In
or piece
of bronze or silvered crescent with hanging vines,
the lacquered cabinet or pictured scrolls in the recess
and shelves are noticed at once. On the walls are
hanging scrolls containing poems or landscapes in
India (Japanese) ink, or perhaps colored paintings
representing scenery. Two magnificent screens
depict in gold and bright tints famous historical
events in the thirteenth century, painted by a renowned
native artist. From the sill of a low window
we look out in the garden, after stopping to admire
the knotless, polished wood, grained like watered
silk, and drawing aside the latticed window-panes of
translucent white paper.
The view in the garden
is one of characteristic
beauty. On a mound to the left is a bell-shaped pinetree.
Near by, an artistic clump of dwarfed trees of
various species imitates a forest, the rugged surface