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Description
On the second floor of a Western-style building, probably the famous Rokumeikan, Japanese couples appear to be taking dancing lessons, accompanied by two pianists. The young people seem awkward in movement and intent in their expressions, concentrating on their steps. The women wear elaborate French-style day dresses, with cinched waists, high collars, and layers of heavy fabric over their bustles. The men are dressed identically in black cutaway morning coats, with only their facial hair or haircuts differentiating them. Everyone wears tight black leather shoes and colored gloves. Most couples touch each other tentatively, at arm's length; only the young man in the middle rear near the piano has ventured to grasp his partner's waist, and the artist has coyly put part of his face behind a floral hairpiece so any smile is discreetly covered. These are probably the young adult children of high-ranking government officials and imperial court members, being groomed in Western etiquette and social graces to prepare for travel abroad and for entertaining foreigners in Japan. Dancing lessons were offered during certain weekdays at the Rokumeikan so that Japanese ministers, staff members and other select individuals would be well prepared for evening diplomatic receptions hosted by the Foreign Ministry. In 1883 the Japanese government opened the Rokumeikan ("Deer Cry Pavilion") near the imperial palace compound as the official site for entertaining foreigners. Designed by the British architect Josiah Conder, this two story assembly hall was of white painted brick with arcaded porches facing out onto an open lawn, an unusual garden feature in Tokyo at that time. The first floor had reception salons, smoking and gaming rooms, and a grand staircase that led to the second floor ballroom and parlors. The carpeted corner room shown here has a broad wooden veranda with green painted railings and large plate glass windows, through which the bright pink cherry blossoms are slightly discolored. A gaslight chandelier hangs from the ceiling, its frosted glass globes given a warm glow.
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