Work on the Japanese Village on the Pan-American Midway has been very much retarded by bad weather. The workmen had progressed to a point where they were laying out the garden with unique landscape effects, but the condition of the soil has been such that work has been impossible for the past week.

The royal dwelling-house is practically completed and is a very beautiful, artistic structure. It is designed to show a model of a typical dwelling-house of Japanese nobility. By its side is a cascade of water running through the grounds, along which, as soon as the climate permits, Japanese flowering shrubs and flora will be planted. A unique feature of the exhibition is a temple bell which was secured by Mr. Kushibiki some years ago, upon the destruction of an ancient temple near Tokio, and brought to this country at considerable expense. Under this bell a Japanese priest will perform the rites to the village attendants at stated hours during the day. The tea-garden itself is a graceful, artistic structure, and the effect is heightened by daring color contrasts. The theater is a perfect gem. For the past month a half-dozen Japanese artists have been industriously working at the proscenium arch, side and mural decorations. The result of the work is now shown in some very beautiful and realistic effects. The interior decoration is of a light robin's egg blue color, relieved by large chrysanthemums and giant storks, but the workmanship in these decorative effects is so very fine that the magnitude of their dimensions does not impress one as inharmonious. On the contrary, it lends itself to very easy and graceful treatment. There is nothing of the kind on the Mideay or throughout the entire Exposition, and it certainly reflects credit upon the artistic tast of the Japanese to see such beautiful color effects carried out in such minute detail.

Everything is in confusion on the grounds, hurrying the work along so as to be prepared for an opening at an early date. The management found it impossible to complete everything in time for the formal opening on May 1st and preferred not to open it in an unfinished, half-completed condition. The arrangements are all completed to throw the doors open on May 20th, or possibly earlier.

Mr. Kushibiki has secured the services of three troupes of Japanese jugglers, and the famous Geisha girls from Tokio with the charm of their music. This band is under the conductorship of Professor D.W. Howard, who has an established reputation in musical circles in Boston.