The Commodore and his officers were conducted to the home of the
mayor or chief magistrate of the town. This dignitary, with great cordiality,
met and welcomed them to the hospitalities of his establishment. The
interior was quite unpretending, consisting of a large room, spread with soft
mats, lighted with oiled paper windows, hung with rudely executed cartoons,
and furnished with the usual red-colored benches. The wife and sister of
the town official soon entered with refreshments, and smiled a timid welcome
to the guests. These women were bare footed and bare legged, and were
dressed very nearly alike, in dark colored robes, with much of the undress
look of night gowns, secured by a broad band passing round the waist.
Their figures were fat and dumpy, or at any rate appeared so, in their ungraceful
drapery, but their faces were not wanting in expression, for which
they were very much indebted to their glistening eyes, which were black, as well
as their hair; this latter was dressed at the top of the head, like that of the
men, although not shaved in front. As their | ruby ” lips parted in smiling
graciously, they displayed a row of black teeth, set in horribly corroded
gums. The married women of Japan enjoy the exclusive privilege of dyeing
their teeth, which is done with a mixture of vile ingredients, including
filings of iron and sakee, termed Oha gur or Camri. This compound, as
might be naturally inferred from its composition, is neither pleasantly perfumed
nor very wholesome. I t is" so- corrosive, that in applying it to the
teeth, it is necessary to protect the more delicate structure of the gums
and lips, for the mere touch of the odious stuff to the flesh burns it at once
into a purple gangrenous spot. In spite of the utmost care, the gums become
tainted, and lose their ruddy color and vitality. We should think
that the practice was hardly conducive to Connubial felicity, and it would be
naturally inferred that all the kissing must be expended in the ecstasy of
oourtship. Thi3 compensation, however, is occasionally lost to the prospective
bridegroom, for it is not uncommon for some of the young ladies to inaugurate
the habit of blacking the teeth upon the popping of the question.
The effects of this disgusting habit are more apparent from another practice
which prevails wit.li the Japanese, as with our would-be civilized dames,
that of painting the lips with rouge. The ruddy glow of the mouth brings out
in greater contrast the blackness of the gums and teeth. The rouge of the
Japanese toilet, called ling, is made of the carthamus 'iinctorius, and is
prepared in cups of porcelain. When a slight coat is applied, it gives a
lively red color, but when it is put on thick, a deep violet hue, which is the
most prized, is the result. *
The worthy mayor had some refreshments prepared for his guests, consisting
of tea, cakes, confectionary, and the never absent saki. With the latter
was served a kind of hot waffle, made apparently of rice flour. The civic dig*
Thnnberg.