The novel idea of bringing over to this country, not only the shops, dwelling, tea-houses, and even the temple of Japanese design and make, but with these native artists and craftsmen and their families, has been carried out with thoroughness and good taste, as far as could be judged from what was to be seen at a private view yesterday. The very curious exhibition, fairly enough described as "A Japanese Village," at Albert-gate, Knightsbridge, will be opened this afternoon, under Royal and distinguished patronage, by Sir Rutherford Alcock, for many years Consul-General for this country in Japan. Of course in such a climate as this it was felt to be necessary that the buildings should be under cover, as much for the sake of visitors as for the health and comfort of the interesting strangers, who, in their loose, flowing national costumes, form not the least picturesque element in the scene from the Far East now presented in the interior of Humphrey's hall. Every provision, indeed, seems to have been made by the promoter and manager of the enterprise, Mr. Tannaker Buhierosan (whose wife is a Japanese), to provide for the welfare of the inhabitants of his colony, numbering altogether over a hundred persons, of whom 26 are women and children. On entering the hall the visitor finds himself in a broad street, as it were, of shops and houses, from which rows of smaller shops, forming narrow lanes, are laid out to the right. These are not mere painted fronts but well-built apartments of varied appearance, each with its won characteristic ornamentation of parti-coloured bamboo, on solid panels, with shingled or thatched roof, and with sliding trellis-shutters and translucent paper screens to serve as a substitute for glass in cold weather. For the rows placed against the sides of the hall, effective landscape, in which the world-known Fusi-yama appears now and again, have been painted by native artists, whose clever manipulation of two brushes, one in each hand, will be seen with astonishment by many. Groups of the artisans, who are of all ages, from mere boys to men of 50 or 60 apparently, were to be seen yesterday in front of the shops, or in some cases squatting on the thickly-stuffed and scrupulously clean mats, 6ft. by 3 1/2ft. in dimensions, of which the number packed on the floor space denotes the size of the house, and the unwary stumbled over the thick-soled pattens or sandals left in front of the shop by the inmates. A few of the European visitors, accommodating themselves to the ways of the natives except in the matter of removing the shoes, sat cross-legged as best they could on the mats, to be served with tiny cups of tea by a smiling an d most polite little maiden, whose cherelure of jetty black could only be matched by one of her sisters of the East. Disappointment will assuredly by felt by some of the lady visitors when they see the quaint and fanciful productions of the hairpin makers and other artefacts of petty trifles, by the determination of the management not to permit anything to be sold, at all events until near the time for closing the exhibition. It has been thought best, however, not to make the affair a bazaar.
    The most important industrial processes to be shown in operation include the lacquering of wood, pottery-making and decoration, cloisonné work on copper foundations, carving of ivory and wood, the inlaying of ivory, mother of pearl, and metal, the carving of hardened clay, lantern making and painting, fan-making, and the not loss useful trade of umbrella making. Then in textile and allied manufactures there will be shown spinning and hand-loom weaving and embroidery of large and small pieces of silk, satin and crepe. Among other trades to be followed are sandal-making, pipe making, letter-block-making, and coppering. It may please students of music to know that a teacher of that art has hung out his sign at one house, and this seemed to be a favorite meeting-place with the cheerful Japanese, who were for the most part making holiday yesterday. Two shops are filled with very ingeniously imitated and brightly-coloured fish and bird-form pin-cushions. In the long house on the left of the entrance are two extraordinary pieces of carving in wood, with ivory and metal additions, one representing the god of lightening shooting forth into the clouds in zigzag lines the contents of several discs which are set at intervals round a hoop, and the other, more diabolic in expression if possible, and with a double row of pointed teeth, a Japanese Boreas. Here, too, are lacquered hats worn by followers of daimios; a ceremonial scepter of carved wood; decorative pieces of carved and baked clay, of fine texture and ringing when struck almost like metal; agricultural implements; a two-handed sword, of which the scabbard forms the lower part and the long handle the top of a crutch to rest the pole of a litter of, the weapon thus serving a double purpose in the hands of the servant of a great man. At different points in the hall are a handsomely-caparisoned and spiritedly modelled so-called sacred horse, from a temple, and an allegorical piece of carving from Yeddo of a dragon attempting to swallow the Sword of Justice. There is one house, like the others slightly reduced in scale, in design, furnishing, and decoration, similar to those in which well-to-do people of the middle class live. The most elaborately decorated interior, however, is that of a Buddhist temple, in which the two priests who accompany the travellers will perform their devotions at suitable hours, but it is satisfactory to know that these is no intention of making a show of their religious ceremonies. There are some good specimens of bronze altar vessels, gift-boxes for pious remembrances of the deceased, carved lanterns, images of Buddha and sacred personages, and on the outer walls several remarkable paintings suggested by the older beliefs of the people. Near the temple are two tea houses, in which a concession has been to European prejudices by the supply of chairs and table stands for the lacquered trays, on which Japanese tea will be served by Japanese waitresses in loose-sleeved and highly-becoming robes of unobtrusive colours.

    Another view of Japanese life will be presented in a second hall fitted up with a stage or platform on which fencing and wrestling and other performances will take place. The latter of these sports proved exceedingly amusing, the intense earnestness of the contestants scarcely impressing the spectators as much as it would have done, perhaps, if the preparation and refreshment of the wrestlers in the frequent intervals between the bouts has been less strange. A bucket of water was placed at each corner of the stage, and to these the men went before beginning and whenever, as often happened, they were stopped by the umpire for failing to get a hold of one another according to the rules of the game. The water was taken up with a little wooden dipper, and every time each man, after drinking, tare a piece of paper from a bundle hung to the bucket and wiped his mouth; then took a few grains of salt from a box and threw the salt on the carpet of the stage before squatting or kneeling, one or the other would shout, the cries being interpreted as derisive taunts – “No, you don't,” and so forth. Mingled with these yells, every now and then were the calls of the umpire, who, fan in hand, stopped or approved a hug. The men were barefoot, and wore tight-fitting, jersey-like shirts and drawers, coming down to the ankles. To enable them to get a good grip, a waist-cloth of thickly-folded black satin, and nine yards in length is would as tightly as possible round the middle. The footlights undoubtedly interfered with the players, making them chary of exerting their full strength, and no doubt a proper roping will be put up to prevent the possibility of an accident. The fencing, as those who saw the display of masks, pad, gloves, and bamboo swords sent from the Tokio gymnasium to the Health Exhibition will suppose, was quite unlike anything seen in Europe. The long bamboo rods are held in both hands, and the combatants, who are protected by a mask for the face of wire bars, with quilted cloth over the head, a sort of breast-plate of lacquered leather, and padded gloves, strike and thrust freely. So well did the two performers warm to their work yesterday, that the umpire had to interpose himself and fan between them two or three times. The entertainment concluded with a dance, or rather the fantastic posturing of three girls in slow measured time to a thrumming accompaniment kept up by some of the women on small stringed instruments played with a broad pecton, two of the number chanting in a high key. After remaining in London through the spring our Japanese visitors are to proceed to the Continent, where they will settle for a time in Berlin, and possibly visit Paris and other large cities.