Japonica

The articles of Sir Edwin Arnold from Japan, originally printed in Scribner's Magazine, make an unexpectedly beautiful volume when collected. The letter press has lost none of its charm, of course, by its transference between boards, and the exquisite illustrations by Mr. Blum have gained immensely by their transference to better paper. No more appreciative sketch of Japan and the Japanese has ever been written, nor one more calculated by pen and pencil to cause that gay and picturesque people to be properly appreciated. Sir Edwin had every possible opportunity to become acquainted with the life in its highest forms, and has described it with sure and loving touch. Especially the Japanese women seem to have fascinated him—what he calls Japan's "gentle, patient, bright, and soft-souled womankind"—from the grace of the lady in her home to the pretty courtesies of the musumë. Let us adopt their farewell to him: Mata, dozo, irrashai! “Be pleased to come!” –The Presbyterian and Reformed Review, Vol. 3 [1892]