ART IN JAPAN.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2376, 14 November 1881, Page 3

ART IN JAPAN.

[From the "Gardener's Chronicle."]

A very interesting lecture wes lately delivered before the Society of Arts by Mr C. Pfoundei. His subject, "Art in Japan," appeals to a very large and varied community, and in his way of treating it he shows clearly that to understand the subject it is necessary to enter into the feelings of the people, to know their habits and thoughts, and to be conversant with their history. The designs, whioh outsiders ere apt to look on as quaint and curious only, have, as Mr Pfoundes shows a meaning, which the educated, or in. some cases even the uneducated, Japanese appreciate at a glance. We subjoin a few illustrations relating to plants, which may be of interest to our readers and to the large numbers who now make use of Japanese traya and other objects:— " The following combinations are moßt frequently met with in Japanese design : " Phoenix and Paulownia imperialis—This. design is to be seen embroidered on the imperial robes, and on them only, but is frequently depicted on fans, screens, and hanging scrolls (' kakemono'). "Pine-tree and Stork—Both emblems of longevity, a common design, and' matt frequently uied in the embroidery of robes presented to new-born babes, and on other articles, lacquer ware, &e., for festive occasions.

" Pasony and Chinese Lion—The Preony is a design usually sketched on large articles, such as screens at the entrance of temples ( £ tsui-tate'), or on panels, oeilings, &a. "Bamboo and Sparrow—Both being of a mild and gentle nature,'a design to be seen on embroidery, fans, screens and household furniture.

' Equisetum (Scouting Rush) and Rabbit— It is supposed that there is an ' usagi' (hare or rabbit) in the moon which scours it with the dried 'Tokusa,' a design found on & variety of articles. "Willow and Marten (or Swallow)—The willow waves in the breeze, the swallow flits to and fro ; a favorite design for fans. '•Stag and Maple—Maple leaves turn red in autumn, and the stag in autumn colls the doe. There is a play in the idea of the oolor (' iro ') of the leaf changing, and the love (' iro ') of the deer; generally sketched on screens, &o.

" Lespedeza and Sleeping Wild Boar —The wild boar generally makes its bed in clusters of 'hagi.'

" Cherry and Pheasant The prunui pseud o-cerasuß, cultivated solely for its bloom, is associated with the gorgeously plumed pheasant; generally used in embroidery and colored designs. " Plum and Nightingale.—The plum tree, called ' the poets' favorite tree,' in allusion to the Terse composed in honor of Naniwa no Oji (afterwards Nin toku Ten O) by Oni (or Warn"). The nightingale is fond of song o» verse; one of the most frequent designs. " Moon and Cuckoo—ln allusion to Yorimasa and his verse when he slew Nuye ; the design is usually a bird %ing across the crescent moon.

" Bushes and Geese—Geese flying long journeys carry Bushes in their beaks, and, before resting on the water, drop the Bush, and then alight upon it; an allusion to the care to be taken in choosing a restingplace. " Chrysanthemum and Fox—Hanzoku Taishi, prince royal, was bewitched by the ninetailed fox, in the form of a lovely damsol. He made her his mistress. One day she fell asleep in a bed of Chrysanthemums, resuming the normal shape of a fox. He shot at it with a bow, and bit it in the forehead. Noticing his mistress afterwards to have a wound on her temple, this led to the discovery of her being a fox. " Bamboo and Tiger—Tigers feared the elephants, and, therefore, hid in the Bamboo jungle. This design is often seen on screens.

" Peach-trees and Oxen—There is an old Chinese sayinp, ' Turn the horse loose on the flower-covered mountain, and the ox into the peach orchard.* _ "A Dragon Crossing the Summit of Fujiyama on the clouds—Small snakes become dragons, and an abject mortal often becomes an exalted person, rising to a great height, and easily surmounting the greatest obstacles : an emblem of success in life.