ddr-densho-56-303

Japanese Ball On Emperor's Birthday, Chief Fete of Week

Seattle Society Throngs Hotel Washington to Join Local Nipponese in Doing Honor to Country's Ruler.

Seattle residents, representing official, social, professional and business life, on Wednesday evening gathered at the Hotel Washington at the invitation of the Japanese consul, Naokichi Matsunaga, and Mrs. Matsunaga to assist in celebrating the thirty-ninth birthday of his majesty, Emperor Yoshihito. A brilliant reception and ball was given, which was attended by the prominent Nipponese residing in this city and a large number of Americans, with representatives of the Allied governments.

The occasion, always a brilliant function in consulate circles, to show honor to the ruler of Japan, served also to introduce Mrs. Matsunaga, who came to Seattle a bride last spring. The reception was in the nature of a brilliant triumph for the hostess, who captivated all present by her charming personality and winning manner.

She greeted the guests in a typical Japanese robe. Since coming to America she had discarded her native costume for the dress of an American, but donned the beautiful flowing costume of the Orient in honor of the occasion. It was of heavy crepe, in colors of lavender and faint yellow, much figured, with a touch of pink in the oboe. She wore her hair dressed high with two curls falling over the shoulders. An American touch was given by the corsage bouquet of violets which she carried.

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Besides the Japanese consul and Mrs. Matsunaga, others in the receiving line were Judge Burke and Mrs. Burke and Mr. and Mrs. J.D. Lowman. The guests were introduced by Mr. H.H. Okuda, secretary of the Japanese-American Society of the State of Washington. Mrs. Burke wore a beautiful costume of gold and Mrs. Lowman was in pale blue satin veiled in tulle.

The long line of guests who were present to pay their respects to the emperor of Japan, through the Japanese consulate, formed in line in the reception hall just off the tea room. They greeted those in the receiving line under a bower of palms and ferns flanked by tall standards of bronze and old rose chrysanthemums. Overhead, emblazoned in colors, were the order of the rising sun and the Japanese and American flags. In the tea room, where the guests assembled, was another array of American and Japanese flags.

At one end of the long room was an immense Japanese flag done in electrics, while at each side hung flags of our nation. Wall pockets of chrysanthemums, a typical Japanese flower, were at intervals about the room. Palms and potted ferns were grouped in the corners. Dancing commenced promptly at 9 o'clock, Miss Yuki Osawa, attired in the costume of an American, with former Senator Samuel H. Piles opening the ball.

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Among the guests were several ranking officers of the United States Army and two officers of the United States Army and two officers from the Japanese navy who fought in the Russo-Japanese war and in the war against China. They were decorated for their services. They were Capt. O. Sakamoto and Captain Akamatsu of the Japanese transports, who are spending a few days in the city. Several American men present also wore the decoration from his Imperial Majesty in recognition of their services and appreciation of their friendly interest in the Japanese nation.

The order of the Secret Treasure hung from the necks of Judge Burke and Mr. Lowman and a few other men. It was the same decoration as that of the consul, only his was of a higher rank.

One American man, noticing the few men so honored, remarked to and a few other men. It was the same decoration as that of the consul, only his was of a higher rank.

One American man, noticing the few men so honored, remarked to some one standing near, "Where is your Order of the Rising Sun?" The one so accosted quickly responded, "My rising son is at home and present," meaning his young son, of whom he is most proud.

The imperial Russian consul, N. Bogolavlensky and Mrs. Bogolavlensky, Mr. M. Paulo Brenna Pelly, the British consul, were among the guests. Mrs. I Ichida, wife of the manager of the Mitshi Company of this city, received much attention. She wore a Japanese costume of dark blue set off with white embroidery. While only residing in this city less than a year, she has mastered English well enough to carry on a conversation. She, as well as Mrs. Matsunaga, is intensely interested in the American way of living and is most anxious to do all that the Americans do.

The ball, the first of a large nature which either have attended since coming to America, was viewed with much wonder and awe. The American style of dancing fascinated them. So interested in it was Mrs. Ichida that she was anxious to be taken on the floor to have her first lesson in the dance steps of America then and there.

An American supper was served, buffet style, during the evening from tables, beautifully decorated, placed at one end of the room. At 11 o'clock, at a signal from the Japanese consul, the orchestra struck up the Japanese national air, "Kimigayo," which was joined in heartily by all the Japanese, who rose to sing it. It was followed by "The Star-Spangled Banner," which was sung by Americans and Japanese alike.

The ball closed a day of celebration which started early in the morning at the consul's home, when all Japanese in the city called to pay their respects and due homage to the ruler of Japan.

Among the guests, aside from the Japanese who were present that evening, were Judge and Mrs. Burke, Mr. and Mrs. J.D. Lowman, Mr. and Mrs. A.B. Stewart, Col. C.B. Blethen, C.A.C., U.S.N.G., and Mrs. Blethen, Mr. and Mrs. E.A. Stuart, Mr. and Mrs. E.L. Webster, Mr. and Mrs. J.F. Douglas, Imperial Russian Consul N. Bogolavlensky and Mrs. Bogolavlensky, Judge R.A. Ballinger and Mrs. Ballinger, Mr. and Mrs. M.A. Arnold, Mr. and Mrs. Manson F. Backus, Mr. and Mrs. Claude Philbrick, Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Griffiths, Capt. James Griffiths and Mrs. Griffiths, Mr. and Mrs. Henry C. Ewing, Mr. and Mrs. W.F. Eckhart, Mr. and Mrs. D.W. Hartzell, Mr. and Mrs. David H. Mess, Mr. and Mrs. Albert J. Rhodes, Mr. and Mrs. E.S. Meany, Rev. H.H. Gowen, Mr. J.E. Chilberg, Mr. J.C. Marmaduke, Former Senator Samuel H. Piles, Mr. E.C. Braun, Dr. Frederick Bentley and Mrs. Bentley, Miss Rebecca Collins, Miss Katherine Kittinger, Mr. and Mrs. G.C. Corbaley, Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Green, Mr. and Mrs. F.W. Baker, Mr. and Mrs. W.H. McEwan, Mr. and Mrs. Scott C. Bone, Miss Mildred Bone, Mr. Warren Hinton, Mrs. A.J. Fisk of Helena, Mont., Mr. and Mrs. L.E. Eyman, Mrs. S.B. Gibbs.