Nov 3    Tencho setsu (Emperor's birthday)

The Rokumeikan, the symbol of western culture in Japan, opened on November 28, 1883.  The ball on the emperor's birthday was the first celebration of that holiday in the new building.  Dignitaries were preparing for the festivities days in advanced.

October 27   Ballroom dancing practice at Rokumeikan

Married ladies and young women of the gentry, from the wives of councillor Inoue, councillor O~yama, and Minister of Education Mori on down, gathered at the Rokumeikan at six in the evening on the twenty-seventh of the month for a practice session of dancing.  This was in preparation for the ball that will be held on the third of  next month, on the emperor's birthday. The steady improvement in the ladies' proficiency at dancing means that gentlemen who are unfamiliar with this art will unfortunately be unable to enjoy the pleasure of being partners to the ladies when the ball takes place.  Officials of the Foreign Office, the Imperial Household Ministry, and other agencies have consequently begun to take lessons, and there is gossip concerning whether or not they are likely to become proficient by the third of next month.
from Keene, 393

The ball was held on the evening of November 3, tencho setsu.  The Tokyo nichi nichi reported that the event, hosted by Inoue Kaoru (foreign minister) and his wife, was lavish.  The Japanese women were elegant, the equal of foreign women, and their interaction with domestic and foreign guests more polished than the previous year. Guests included members of the imperial family (the emperor did not like ballroom dancing), cabinent ministers, councillors, foreign ministers of various countries, vice ministers, military officers of the army and navy, and gentlemen of peerage.