Japanese party at meals - from a sketch by our special artist, 1864

Japanese party at meals, 1864. An '...Illustration of the daily life of the Japanese people, from a sketch by Mr. Wirgman, our Special Artist. It represents a Japanese dinner-party kneeling at their little tables, one of which is set before each guest, and helping themselves, by the use of a pair of chopsticks, to such fragments of meat as they can fish up out of their soup-basins; whilst we perceive that one gentleman, having done with his chopsticks, is raising the bason [sic] to his mouth that he may drink its liquid contents. The lady at the head of the table, with characteristic politeness, refrains from eating till her visitors are served. A couple of handmaidens are bringing in some addition to the repast'. From "Illustrated London News", 1864. Creator: Unknown. (Photo by The Print Collector/Heritage Images via Getty Images)