New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-12-31
JAPAN.
THEATRICAL PROGRESS.


,psoN THR REeUIAR CORRESPONDENT OF THB TRlBUNhl
YEpo, Nov. Three important steps IN 1le
nrogres OF Japanese theatrical art nave recently "eo
taken Public notification has been given that mstorioi
dramas may be represented with strict nuehy 10 tuo
crds of ancient events and that cOnspicuousy inde-
cent comedies will be suppressed and women nave peeh
introduced upon the stage to mpersOnate female ehsr
aeters For the two OF these improvements we arc
indebted 20 the Government AS Napoleon-the M"
poleon-dd not deem It beneath his dignity to sehd oe
rrees from Moscow for the regulation OF the Ahed're
Francais 40 the officials OF Yedo have taken IL as part
Of their duty 10 give counsel In the management OF the
plav-hOuses OF the metropolis Inc hrst reiVri 'no'
have suggested is Of extrcr"V democrauo tenuehcy
II recognizes the right OF the people to the accurate re-
production OF historic chronicles, without regard 10 any
senstiye preudices OF the old privileged classes'
Hitherto in the representation OF incidents IN when 'e
great families OF Japan were concerned IL mas Ocen
necessary TO adopt suoh variations as were required 10y
the official censor and especially to change Names dates
and localities avoid the suspicion OF precise
Identity For example in the dramatEaton OF the ex-
citing scenes OF the Forty R0ntns" whleh actu-
ally took place YedO, some $50 years ago. the pace
changed to Kamakura, older capital OF the Sosus'
and period get back another couple OF centuries ou
now the stage directors have been Informed that no re-
srictons in this respect will hereafter be imposed They
are free to teach history after their fashion, as II really
was ana without the Obscurtes which the OLD nopes
wished to throw it. In regard to the lewd Irces
which are henceforth be prohibited. public opinion
OF the community have begun to patronize the theaers
these exhibitions have been greatly discouraged, and
Is probable that they would presently have died out
even without Government interference The manner IN
which the decree was communicated is characters
tcay told in the following proclamation, posted in varl
Gus highways:
DECREE AGAINST LEwD FARCEs.
the 9Th inst, Morta Kanya and the two comedians
inoned 70 Of the rst division OF the city These
persons admonished by the officers thus although
can be
are iuacous be kept in force, it has yet been de-
ana that intentional msappcations of words in all
drAmasmay be ACKNOWLEDGEMENT as Ushoa Hsal Tor
Hasnba HideyOs This is one OF the names OF Taiko,
the famous ruler Of 10th century, If children
%n HSs lSF Of finally Happen
they bring themselves under great misfortune IN the
theater only these, but also all other things, shOud
represented with exacness Although IL Is true that
comedies should not be negected because
from them properly performed good lessons can oen pc
other two houses what has been SAID to you WIN the
considered as little college The learning OF the
and philosophers Is taught for the moral lnstrue-
books and tho Chinese classics, and the develop
nriors are nearly the same differing only in circun
stance The actors thus instruments OF education
Guarded The best object Of the heater to teach
the youth and women history Therefore to make the
ciroum the those OF the 1edo dynasty,
and give the appearance Of having happened dur
two periods ere widely diaer6nt In order TO reform
these abuses the above notice Is given not 9n ior the
The first payt only Of this proclamation seems TO have
been the authoritative decree The remainder was ap-
p8rcntly added in tho way OF friendly counsel Ihaye
underworld to give literal translation possible
and / think you will agree that, succinct official
document important social subject, it will bear
pretty rigid criticism. have in my mind some theatr
cal systems Of the West which would not be seriously in
jured by an admonhon Of the sort especially If
the Government had the power to enforce it, as has
WOMEN ACTING on THE STAGE.
The third FORM the mingiIng Of women with the
dramatis persona. appears 70 be due TO the infu-
ence OF a once celebrated actor named Tanos-
uke who himself distinguished for the portrayal
OF feminine characters This last has not yet been
thoroughly carried out, the real women being
intrustod thus far only with parts of inferior import
noe probably because they at present only In their
apprenticeship but perhaps also account OF the nat
ua unwngness OF the male actors to surrender their
privileges too suddenly Any way, the innovation is
recognized advantage and appears be thoroughly
welcome. In time, the epcene comedian will disappear
altogether. The interference OF the champion OF female
Theatrical rights about in this way For long time
Tanosuke had not in public having at the hight
Of his career been stricken with disease. and been
obliged according the radical notions Of the native
surgeons undergo the amputaon Of feet and hands
Nobody supposed that be would ever take part In
public performance again. when suddenly the manager
~ the first theater announced the retired but not forgot
ten actor in series Of his familiar and famous persona
tons Imag CINE the effect OF the return Of an unrivaed
New.YOr favOrte, supposed 70 DC inexperienced LOT NE,
and multiply 1t hundred fold and you may picture the
excitement these theaterOyng Yedo citizens whose
hearts are as tender as they light The street in
which the playhouses situated Immediately became
blaze of vivid decoration Great scaodings and trans
parencies Of the which with devoted to the
plor6eation of politicians but denied to the heroes Of
art were erected by popular subscription aud the very
thoroughfare itself dug up and transformed into
temporary garden-booming trees and bushes running
It's whole length The house crowded at each one OF
Tanosukes performances, which we're, Of course ar
apeed with every possible conceal his defcien
cies and the acclamatons with which be greeted
whenever the of the brought him into Vew
surpassed anything in the way OF theatrical demonstra
ton that have witnessed elsewhere 10 one WHO saw
him for the first time although his ceverness asserted
Itself by many unmstakabe signs, the effect Of bis act
ing was of course impaired by his nhrmites but TO the
multitude his mere presence the renewal OF thou
sand mast and the memory OF what he had been,
blinded them to what he At one momsnt the
assemblage would shout with rapture at another, all
would fall TO crying like q Boston Museum audience
when Mr. Warren plays Tdpet. Irrepressibe eDthusi-
ss would often rise and dives themselves OF their up
rer garments which they would fling reeBessly upon
the stage much as fling bouquets. bat with the add
ona advantage the actor that such article according
10 Japanese CUSTOM had be heavily ransomed at the
end of the performance. And almost every day, after
ms final scene delegations Of young men and women. es
peciay tho latter would 20 tupon the stage, which In
Yedo is always easily accessible from the body OF the
house. aud offer him tribute in the form OF wreaths and
arlapds Perhaps It may been that he touched
by the feminine homage lavished upon him; or,
which is quite as probable willing to figure in
dramatic annals as last great female actor OF his
SEX these which succeeded him. though skilful,
bng notably inferior Whatever his motive, 1t is under