National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-04-24
Island Of Cuba.

temple was erected. How, or when, or
why the name OF the city was changed to
Nagasah this history does not relate, but the
temple still stands, monument TO bis mem
DRY, and there is, also, principal street In
NaRasaki which Is called Suwa-no-machi,
the name the city once bore.
This temple. on the occasion OF the
Matsuri, is profusely decorated with rich
bapgiDgs and banners of auttering silk,
displaying quotations from the sacred
writings OF Japan; and the people repairto
II, In their graceful oriental costumes, to
invoke their gods and tender 70 them their
propitiatory offerings. On the terraces OF
the approaches, on either side, tiers OF aeats
are erected, under cnn0piee, rising one
above the other. These seats are carpeted
with mats and cushions to accommodate
the officials and guests Of distinction who
have come TO witDeAs the epeot9cles OF the
public ceremony. To secure his colgn Of
vantage, and TO avoid the great pressure OF
the crowds that flock to the temple, one
must rise betlmes and hasten TO occupy the
place assigned him. By early dawn every
available space Is occupied, and the great
steps leading to the temple show one solid
mass Of people. When the first procession
presents itself, at o o'clock in the morning,
II is noon ALMOST before the last completes
its performance.
There Is no stereotyped fashion In the
conduct Of the various professions, and no
particular precedence given 10 any, but the
whole representation is so marshaled that
they all blend with one another TO form q
varied and constantly changing spectacle.
First, however, In the procession come
the high priests OF the temple, accompanied
by their acolytes, In stole and gaberdine,
bringing in their care the helmet and sword
lin a shrine magniflcently gilt aud
laequered), the symbols Of the deiiied hero
whose worship they conduct,
After these, to the roll OF drums and the
clash of cymbals, appears q train Of chill
dren, clad In mimic armor, representing
some expedition Of one of the early
Mikados, They come forward In the ut
most state, the mimic Mikado borne 10 q
gorgeous palanqnin, followed by all the
pomp and luxury Of q Japanese court.
Then comes q pageant Of psychological
SeySs ths BsTtspsnts hSstsa ~ A &SSs
Commemorate the withdrawal Of the Sun
Goddess from earth, and the lures by which
gods and men induced her once more 70
brighten the Ornament YitA tae glory OF
Following these, drawn by atty young
men dressed alike 10 appropriate costume
Of the catpentsr'S guild, Is huge plat
form on wheels, on which rests a beaIti-
fplly-eXecpted model OF q Japanese tea
house, OF characteristic light graeeful strHt-
ture, filled with o Rpy party OF Gsisha sing
ing songs and disaoursing music,
A. company OF actors comes next In the
paint and rouge aud splendid vestmonts OF
acourt drama. In on instant two or more
portable platforms are adjusted together:
With a miniature house, dYarfed trees and
screens, the stage is prepared and the scene
issCt. Goisha, with their samlsens 10 sort
Of guitar with three stnngs), make up tho
orchestra. Two fat, hard pieces OF wood
clopped together direct the music aud the
actors; aud the play 10 performed, which, II
must be said, is conducted with great spirit
and freedom OF action aud speech.
Then there comes, drawn by a hundred
men In the scapty garb OF hshermen, boat
Of great size, filled with young men aud
hoys, plying the implements OF thlsimpor-
tant vocation.
From the soldiers quarters comes a
rugged phalanx OF mall clad warriors OF
the feu1al ages, bearing the bow, the
sword, the lance and shield, and all the
deadly implements OF war In vogue In
Japan thousand years ago.
The exact representation OF an enormous
whale, forty feet In length drawn ON
wheels by a great number OF hardy whale
fishers, carrying the harpoons, the nets,
and all the apparatus used in the capture
OF these monsters of the deep, was success
| full feature Of this interesting exhibition.
They had skillfully arranged q pumping
machine within it's capacious head, and from
time TO time great spouts OF water were
thrown In the air, drenchlng In their d.
scent every one within reach, to the amu'e'
ment OF the spectators. The victims, II IL
worthy of remark, took their drenching IN
good part, aud showed neither annoyance
nor resentment, though many dainty
toilet was damaged. They joined, ia
! hearty laughter, in the general spirit of the
| fun.
The favorlte fables of the country are
represented by professions In the dexterou'
guise Of foxes, of badgers, Of cats, ani, To