The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-01-29
Japanese Street Scenes.

BEGGARs may usually be seen in large
numbers In the approaches to the tenn
pies on the chief festival days. Here
may be met the lame, the halt and blind,
lOPO-s, MD hrn1a n 1of~r,,,;+yr IN Soma of
its most hideous phases. The beggars
accompany their prayers for the charit-
able with a hideous noise, which they
make by striking little metal discs or
battledors of raw-hide that they carry.
The beggar frequently takes his stand on
bridges, or near running streams, where
he importunes the passer- by to purchase
live eels or other fish, and to perform
the devout work of releasing them, as
prescribed by Buddhist doctrine.
Among strollers we find the shishi Cor
lion). This is representative of a
lions head, with movable under-jaw
and flowing name, fitted on to capa-
cious skirt, beneath which the man is
concealed who works it. The elton -
is accompanied by two men, one per-
forming on small drum and triangle,
and the other playing flute, from which
they extract music. The capacious
mouth of the lion is supposed to swallow
the evil spirits who may be attracted by
his gambolings and the accompanying
music. Sara MaWSht are class of
stro1lers who take about with them per-
forming monkeys. Sara ya nsuchi
(Monkey Shop STREET. is their headquar-
ters in town. 1t is related that in the
olden time, when the favorite horse of a
famous warrior fell sick and was about
to die, it was restored to health by a
monkey who possessed curative charm.
Since this incident occurred, until few
years ago it was customary to amuse
the horses in the Government stables on
New Years days by visit of the per-
forming court monkeys, an example
which was generally followed by the
nobility. Female monkeys only are
trained to perform. Street tumblers and
athletes are, with one exception, I'M
worthy of notice. This exception is the
wrestler, who, nearly naked, represents
a wrestling bout, appearing to be strug-
Cling with an invisible opponent, and
assuming the attitude of overcoming or
being overcome by him. The Sai-naon
were originally travelling preachers.
They are now begging story-tellers.
They hold in their hand jingling toy,
upon which they strike. The TSWgi-go-
ShakW are lecturers, who may be OBJ
served seated on some vacant piece of
land, sheltered by mats. They relate
the deeds of prowess of the popular
heroes, and may be always seen sur
rounded by crowd of listeners. The
KoU0ierO recites scenes from famous
dramas, initiating, as far as possible,
the tones of celebrated actors. The
Shtn,Gi accompany their stories with a
performance on the sdrniSen Ga musical
instrument). Ydsht include sellers of
quack medicines, dealers in spice and
incense, ballad singers, and sellers and
hawkers of the latest express news, re.
counting the last reported murder, fire,
robbery or scandal. 0nnG DGigu are
women of the Yeta class. They wear large
sun hats, and earn scanty subsistence
by playing and singing at the house
doors. Blind women (goze) may also
be met as street singers. They used
formerly to be supplied by the Govern
ment with passes, which insured them
nights lodging when on their travels.
In the early days of the Tokogawa dy-