Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1877-01-03

old Japap. a. far as costume and $

Japanese Theatres and Tea.houses.
Old Japan, as far as costume and So
cial observances are concerned, may be
compared with revolutionary Japan at
the theatres, where are played intermi-
nable historic dramas, wholly based on
the old state of things. Nothing has
been changed In the Japanese theatre,
except here and there the hours; most
of the theatres at the capital, and all
those In the interior, play from A. NJ.
until dark. The theatres Of the treaty
ports now play from p. NJ. to one A.
NJ, 80 that at Toxic one is able to attend
the theatres at most hours Of the day and
night. There the two-sworded Samurai
st:ll walk the stage, and Tycoon's SOL
diers still wear their hideous masks, and
Daimios in magnificent trousers, prece-
ded and followed by their banners and
professions of retainers, still force the
people to PROSTATE themselves to the
| dust. In contrast to the conservatism
of the theatres, the critical modern spir-
1t Is shown In the tea-houses which
stand near them. There common carri.
csture sheet upon the walls, which dates
from just before the revolution, repre-
sents Daimio's procession of insects.
The playing mantis. the locust, the grass
hopper, and the wasps are brought into
requisltion, given two swords apiece, and
made to bear heroic banners of corn
flower, poppy, and eonvulvulus. They
initiate the staggering walk and arms
akimbo Of the Samurai, and escort
feeble cricket carried In cage. This is
the Daimio, before whom an humble
cockroach, who figures the people of
japan, reverently hammers his head
upon the ground as he beholds him
pass. Those Japanese who best knew
their countrymen before the revolution
will tell you that there always has been
a want of respect, other than forced re-
spect, among the people. Their atti-
tude toward the Mikado seems to be the
only exception to their general want of
veneratioE, which is accompanied by
total absence Of religious fanaticism,
and think must be added, Of religious
reverence. The only temple in Japan
inside of which 1 ever saw a crowd,
unless there was a wrestling perform
ance going on within the walls, was
that of Asxksa, In the capital. This
temple is the centre Of sort of fair, or,
as the whole of Toxic resembles the
fair of st. Cloud more than it does any
thing else in Europe, the centre of a
fair within fair-the wax-work show
and big drum portion Of the fair. The
temple of Asaksa is entirely surround
ed by peep shows and shooting CALLER
les, and is always crowded, but more
think. by sightseeing country people
out of curiosity, than by the people of
the capital from religious motives. The
Loe Choe ENJOYS were there at the
time of my visit-tall, bearded, solemn
men. who seemed much struck by find
the place of honor In the temple occu-
pied by gigantic looking glass. The
mirror may properly find place in
either Buddhist or Shinfoo Temple. The
doctrine of Pure Shintoo informs us
that the Sun Goddess was enticed out
Of her dark cave by slooking glass; bur
in Buddhism looking-glass symbolizes
the mirror Of the soul, and the worship
ers are supposed TO repair to it as TO a
confessional. The yonng ladies with
paintedl lips and light blue or crimson sat
in obis, who eye themselves approvingly
in the great mirror at Asaksa, perhaps
think that 1t has other objects-at all
events, there is nothing in the temple
that "draws' SO well. In a ghastly
representation of the Buddhist hell,
which is moved by clock-work and
forms one of the most popular peep
shows outside the temple, the mirror
also figures, and on it their crimes are
shown TO the dead as they enter hell.
As have named this show, l may add
that, If 1t was regarded seriously by the
people, 1t would he evidence of the exis-
tenee of q degrading superstition. 1t
represents green devils with red
tongues, pounding people in mortars,
boiling them In oil, and frying them in
gridirons. In one corner an assistant
devil is engaged in tying the legs and
arms Of men together, and another,
who stands by with plumb-line and
crayon, marks black line down the
middle Of their backs for the guidance
of third, who saws them deliberately
in half. As is seen, however, by the
attitude Of the spectators, the represent
alton is regarded by the japanese as a
mere joke.