The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1878-06-04
JAPANESE FENCING.
Professionals skirmishing With Long
BRmbOOS.

A famous company of professional
fencers were forming at Yokohama while
l was there, and we went to see them
along with several English residents,
who had been many years in the coun-
try, but had never witnessed a similar
exhibition. The gladiators were en-
cased in armor, and were distinguished
from each other by the color of their
cuirasses. Their appearance was her,
aided by the blast Of conch shell, and
all their proceedings were superintendent
by handsome young man, attlred and
shaven in the most orthodox style.
WELDING his fan like marshaPs trun-
cheon, he set the combatants upon
each other, and separated them with
loud calculations. It was clear that he
believed thoroughly in his own office,
and discharged it with as great punctilio
as if the bamboos had been sharp swords
and the combat ] outrance. At each
corner of the arena sat a Judge, with all
the dignity of Roman senator, notion
less and silent, until referred to upon a
doubtful point of order Cuts are inter
changed so rapidly that it is often hard
to say who had dealt the successful
stroke. The weapons arc long bamboos
held in both hands like quarterstatfs,
and any sort of blow above the waist is
permissible, but the favorite is a good
crack on the top of the helmet. Occa-
sionaIly the combatants get too near
together for striking, and the struggle
becomes literally hand to hand until
they are separated; Notwithstanding
their savage yells and fierce blows, they
preserve the perfect good humor charac-
teristic of their race. By way of varie-
ty, there was fight between the sword
and the "morning STAR" spear fasten-
ed by cord to spiked handle. Al
though the latter appeared to be the in
ferior weapon, its bearer did not come
badly of, as he played the part of reti-
arius with the ball and string, and when
at close quarters brought his sharp hook
into active operation. Then two girls,
deliberately attired in the wide sleeves
and trousers of japanese knights, attend
ed by female squires to arm and equip
them, took their places on opposite sides
of the lists, and went through the mo-
tions of a fight, one having balberd
and the other couple of swords. Final
ly, another Amazon had duel with a
male antagonist, and completely over
threw him; but this was mere bur-
lesque, as he evidently tumbled over on
purpose, and behaved like the clown in
the pantomime, whereas an air of stern
reality pervaded the other mimic bat
ties. 1t is remarkable that the japanese
are able to derive keen enjoyment from
performances which involve no peril to
life or limb, and if their public specta-
Giles differ in this respect from those of
the Roman ampitheatre, they may also
compare favorably with many which find
favor in the eyes of the British public.
Various games of skill, including Go
bang" are popular, but the passion for
gambling and cock fighting, SO strongly
developed in most parts of Eastern Asia,
is not conspicuous in Japan, where ami
mails in general may be said to have a
good time. Among other civilized ar
rangements, a close time is enforced for
game during the breeding season.