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Show driver deemed too soft to wnhsnud the weight of the light America automobile at our disposal, s0 & messenger was sent to the next village fo semblage of hundreds of wooden-shod peasants and round-faced, gaylyS gathered to sec the "bluc-eyed tnrcxgnu," al of whom had no other thought than an interest in our welfare, two of th e A s i 5 o SV s our destination, through overhung groves of bamboo and forests of gian trees, past little paper-windowed houses, shops, shrines, and moss-covere tombs; the dense countryside of Japan s beautiful in the spring, but th tourist must leave the good roads and take to the sparsely-trodden path if the real life of the country and its natural beautics are to be appreciated e finally reached Okamoto-mura where the renowned Nishino handmade paper mill is located; but before going to the mill it was imperativ that we pay our respects to the owner, Mr. Ichibei Nishino, whose famil has been engaged in papermaking for many generations. Seven brother of Mr. Nishino also reside in this dis\ricl,each one following a distinctl different for fismanship. The home of Mr. Ichibei Nishino, th papmnakcr, it directly on the stecp and narrow wmdmg roa which leads to the mill; a wooden house with low portico, under the roo of which hang seven oddly-shaped buckets, the whole fa;;ad having the appearance of a delightfully picturesque stage-setting. Th frailty of the slxdmg doors made of light latticed wood covered wit mulberry bark paper attests the honesty of the community, for wit the raised pnlx\h(d floi e bales and busdlés oFall ancee o e paper that have been manufactured in the owner's mill; the house serves not onl as dwelling place, but for office as well. With the manners and politencs of ancient Japan, the venerable Mr. Nishino, at the sight of his old compatriot, Dr. Seki, fell to his knees and touched his head many times to th floor. After the ccremony of greeting was finished we were invited to si Digitalimage© 2004 Marriott Library, University of Utah. All ights reserved |