AN UNFORTUNATE INCIDENT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7933, 5 January 1906, Page 3

AN UNFORTUNATE INCIDENT.

Mr W. J. Bryan, the American democratic leader, got into a curious difficulty when Admiral Togo made his triumphal entry into lokio. During the [ceremony which was in accordance with ancient "Shinto" rites, and .based on the hoariest traditions of old Japan the hero of Tsushima had to seat himself on a "sboji;" or war stoci. The particular "shoji" used had been in possession of Viscount Ogasawara. the Chief Ritualist, for several centuries, and was therefore a valued heirloom. Mr Bryan (says the correspondent of the Otago Daily Times), knowing uothiug of its associations, or, for the matter of that, of the feelings which educated and refined Japanese entertain for ancient ieligious objects, desired to possess himself of tho stool. To him it was an archaic piece of furniture on whioh Togo bad sat, and was therefore worthy of a place in; the Bryan homestead, He, therefore, without any further ado, asked for the "shoji," and, on his request being politely waived aside, added insultto injury by offering money for it. Viscount Ogasawara was in a quandary. The "shoji" was a priceless heirloom of the family, which neither love nor money could purchase, but then lia belonged to a nation that c;»u never refuse anything to a guest. Mr Bryan persisted, and in the] end received the "ahoji." But next day the incident was in all tiio papers, and he realised what a blunder he had com- | laittcd. Ho apologised, and, returned the "shoji," The incident only adds one more to the long list of unfortunate happenings which bring the blush of ahairo to the cheeks of Foreign residents in Japan.