The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-05-10
THE "MIKADO'S EMPIRE"
HISTORY OF JAPAN BY AN AMERIcAN-THE
CUSTOMS, RELIGIONS, LITERATURE AND

HISTORY OF JAPAN BY AN AMERIcAN-THE
GAMES OF THE PEOPLE HAlesa
Tho Messrs Harper Brothers have In press . work
on Japan, entitled the 'Mikados Empire" and from
the pcrusal of lew advance sheets 1t WILL doubt,
provo instructive history OF the people OF this
csting Asiatic nation The author, Mr. SAy T. Grinls,
OF New York, had an abundant opportunity OF
studying the Japanese their manners customs
hgons, also OF visiting famous places but seldom
reached by foreigners. He enabled to do this be.
cause Of his position teacher in the Government
College Of Fukui; city in tho province of Ecnizcn,
and also that of professor In the Imperial College
Toxic Mr.. Grs arrived in the Land OF the Rising Sun
In December, 1870, when he at proceeded TO
Fuku, and there remained until September, 1871. At
that time the feudal system abolished and
tho government centralized at Toxic IN tho
person the M,kado Tho Prince oil Echlxcn
was compelled TO resign his power, and
retire TO private life when the author upon the invita-
uon OF the Japanese Minister OF Public Instructions
cepted the pro.essorshp IN the Imperial College In
January 1872 he out Fukul tho journey 10
Toxic and in tins trip traverscd nine provinces Hc
lived IN the Japanese capital Tor two years a-ha
witnessing daily detail the wonderful changes that
during this time he visited adjacent provinces study
the people, and inspected famous shrinos temples. bat
,lehelds castles and the many classic spots made
orabe by Japanese history the story OF which trips
told IN an exceedingly pleasant manner. While Mr..
trlis particular attention 10 everything that he
thought would interest an American regarding the
mind, temper and nature OF the Japanese, Il seems
that he did not overlook the sports and amuscments OF
the people. He refers BON TO the indoor outdoor
games nc repeatedly saw played, Of the latter beng
poio called 'raku' IN Japanese. which is vccy ancient
IN that land ana extremely popular. He describes
gamc IN Fukui at which he was present. aud as his de-
soription may not be un'nteresting u Is gwen as
under:--
'.Among the games played in public is dakiu tpolo),
which Is very ancient IN Japan An immense crowd OF
spectators, Prince Princess. lords and ladies' gentle
men, people priests and students gathered inside no
riding course TO see the game OF 'dakiu' played. l
had one OF the best given IN the pavilion
occupied by the damio anu his gentlemen in waiting.
Everybody dressed handsomely, Tho weather per-
feet the anmuting. Judges and scorers were in
ceremonial dress. Al the signal, gwen by tap Of "A
bell, twelve players mounted Al the next they rode
into the lists alutcd the Prince and judges, and pro-
cccded TO the end OF The course ranging themselves in
Indian hie, with their horses heads to the wckcs.
which were two bamboo poles with a cord them,
about tcL feet from the ground.
The rival parties, six players 10 each called them
selves the GENT and the Hcise The Genji
white the Heke red hats, according 10 the colors oi
the ancient nags. Each player had long bamboo
stick tspoonl like a Shepherds crook, with network
Of cord On the ground IN two rows at the side. and
extending in front OF the riders, scvcntywo red
and white balls The whites were TO throw the red
balls and through the wicket, the reds throw
the whites. Balls gong the lists outside the
wlckcts were tossed back again. zach party TO
oppose the other The red nag waved on tho right
wicket pole the white on the lett.
AT tho signal, given by wave of tho judges fan,
both parties rode nimbiy up the lists picking up the
balls and fnging them over the wckcts, II they
could. The leaders having reached tho wckets, and
number OF balls having been thrown and others
scattered the field, turned back 20 oppose each
other, and then the game grew intensely exciting IL
was shiny on horseback. Skiltul handling OF the
horse, us well Of the crook, necessary. Three
riders were dismoun,cd OCCASIONALLY man was hurt
The collision OF excited animals against each other
frequent The balls icw backward aud forward up and
down Finally there but one ball lett Twelve
men and horses contested Tor H. The Hekc won tho
nrst ZANE having thrown all the thirtysix white balls
over their wicket while the 6cnJ' had three red balls
LETT the ground Three games were played, tho
Gcnji winning two. The prizes awarded by tho
FRINGE, roll OF siik, helmet, porcelain vase
and autograph scrolls