t)38 



THE VOYAGE OF THE VEGA. 



[niAr. 



Pipes are lighted, and a lively conversation commences. Along 

 with the tea sweetmeats are brought in, of which, however, some 

 cannot be relished by Europeans. The brazier forms the most 

 important household article of the Japanese. Braziers are very 

 variable in size and shape, but are often made in an exceedingly 

 beautiful and tasteful way, of cast-iron or bronze, with gilding 

 and raised figures. Often enough, however, they consist only ot 

 a clay crock. The Japanese are very skilful in keeping up fire 

 in them without the least trace of fumes being perceptible in the 

 room. The fuel consists of some well-burned pieces of charcoal, 

 which lie imbedded in white straw-ashes, with which the fire- 

 pan is nearly filled to the brim. When some glowing coals are 



JAPANESE BEDROOM. 



laid in such ashes they retain their heat for hours, until they are 

 completely consumed. In every well-furnished house there are 

 a number of braziers of different sizes, and there are often four- 

 cornered hatches in the floor, which conceal a stone foundation 

 intended as a base for the large brazier, over which the food 

 is cooked. 



At meal-times all the dishes are brought in at the same time 

 on small lacquered tables, about half a foot high, and with a 

 surface of f )ur square feet. The dishes are placed in lacquered 

 cups, less frequently in porcelain cups, and carried to the mouth 

 with choj)-sticks, without the help of knife, fork, or spoon. 

 For fear of the fish-oils, which are used instead of butter, I 



