502 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



with mats, were a number of Japanese household utensils in lac- 

 quer, carved wood, earthenware, and brass. Many of these were 

 very old and excellent specimens of art, and some bore the crests 

 of Daimiyo (feudal lords of Japan), showing that they had very 

 likely been received as presents from their former owners.* 



There were food -boxes, clothing - boxes, and clothes-frames 

 (clothes-horses), bowls for food and sak^, rests for swords, urns or 

 tea-chests, about two feet high on four small legs, tubs for sake of 

 the same height ; all ranged in order, rarely used, and not to be 

 bought unless for fabulous prices. Hanging from a beam in front 

 of the corner, transformed into an open cupboard, were four 

 swords, a matchlock, a bow with accompanying quiver full of ar- 

 rows, and a pair of winter half-boots, made of salmon-skin. The 

 swords were similar to the Japanese in most particulars, though 

 not quite so long, nor so well made, and certainly not as well cared 

 for as a Japanese sword would be; the handles were of wood, 

 rudely carved and ornamented with little studs of brass or tin, 

 secured by short nails, and tiny bells ; the guards were just the 

 same as those of Japanese swords ; the scabbards were of wood, 

 in two pieces neatly joined. The swords are worn on the left side, 

 well up under the arm, and hang by a broad strap which passes 

 over the right shoulder. 



Passing along the north wall of the house, we came to the 

 sleeping-box, as I must call it, for it can not be designated a room. 

 It was tucked well under the eaves, was about ten feet long by 

 eight wide, and raised eighteen inches above the floor of the 

 house. One end of it formed the side of the curio corner just de- 

 scribed. On the floor was spread a piece of matting, and the 

 futons, or heavily wadded cotton quilts, on which and under 

 which the family sleep at night, were neatly folded and laid in a 

 pile on one side ; the pillows in this house were of the Japanese 

 pattern, little stands that support the neck, and which look to be 

 wretchedly uncomfortable, but which are not so very bad when 

 one gets accustomed to them. At night, or whenever any one is 

 sleeping, a mat curtain is hung up in front of the sleeping-quar- 

 ters, thus sealing up the inmates almost hermetically. I can not 

 imagine any greater misery than to be compelled to be one of 



* Miss Bird says : " Some of these things were doubtless gifts to their fathers when 

 they went to pay tribute to the representative of the Shogun and the Prince of Matsumae, 

 soon after the conquest of Yezo. Others were probably gifts of samurai, who took refuge 

 here during the rebellion, and some must have been obtained by barter. They are the 

 one possession which they will not barter for sake, and are only parted with in payment of 

 fines at the command of a chief, or as the dower of a girl." At the close of the rebellion 

 of 1868, one last stand was made by the Tokugawa adherents in Yezo. The Ainu were non- 

 combatants, and doubtless had many opportunities of befriending the unfortunate ones, 

 who showed their appreciation of Ainu kindness and hospitality by leaving some of their 

 belongings. 



