The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-08-07
"THE STORY OF ADZUMA."
SIR EDWIN ARNoLDs PnAr, FOUNDED
ON JAPANESE LEaENDs

ON JAPANESE LEGENDS
1t IL Pathetic, in the Highest Degree Ora.
matte. and Ends with n Thrilling Scene
and = Trasedy-Mr. Poors Introduction
and Note. OF the Piot-sir Edwin
wishes II Wrought Out During tho
worlds Fair. ana 10 on His Way 10 This
Country to superintend Its Production.
BAN Francisco. Aug. e.-The news that Sir
Edwin Arnold has written play founded on
Japanese legends, and intended to be produced
at the Worlds Fair. has excited much interest.
1t Is impossible to get any extracts from the
drama. which will BIO copyrighted in Washing
ton on Monday. but MIR. Deakin. who supern-
tended the publication OF The Light OF tho
World" has kindly allowed THE Sun corre-
spondent to see the notes Of the plot prepared
by Sir Edwin himself. Hero is the poets in
PRODUCTION to "The Story Of Adzuma." which
gives the motive OF the play:
This true. tender. noble. and pathetic story
by all its incidents in tho highest degree
dramatic and heart stirring has never yet
been told in English. although for SO many
years popular in Japan. Those scholars who
have given to the western world other famous
pieces from Japanese history have either
feared to deal with the tragic particulars OF
the tale or have not found access to good
versions Of 1t. The present author has spared
no pains to obtain full narratives. and has
written his play with the double purpose Of
composing a literary work In tho dramatic
form worthy. II it may be. OF the beautiful
heroine. who Is pure and true type OF the
highest Japanese womanhood. and also OF
supplying for the modern English and Ameri-
can stage q tragedy In all respects actable.'
-, al AL; tv
ners and motives Of the japanese people,"
A strong Buddhist "birthstory" forms
background of mystery to the facts that COM
pose the play. Adjuma. also called kesa
Gozen, lived in the reign of Yori Mato. the
great Shojun OF Japan. in kioto. the former
capital Of the empire. Her first life was that
OF serpent and she was instinctively drawn
to Komor Gawa. who afterward bore her as a
woman child, and for her sake helped kill the
eagle Yamato. which eagle was afterward born
a ma uocalled Morito. Thus tho destiny OF the
two we're fatally linked. Morito's parents dy
ing. he is left to the guardianship Of Dozen.
and afterward OF his son kameja. The play
illustrates the fidelity OF these retainers. a
characteristic OF medieval japan. Guided by
dream Adzuma weds knight. Wataru Wa
tandke. and dwells with him in happiness.
never having known Morito. for whom she had
his knightly exercises ut the ShoJuns court.
The Villain. Sakemune. is a crafty. des gninG
friend Of Mro en Syd ia ana
The method OF Sakemune's hatred is largely
traceable to the fact that he was, al sutton for
man virtue is as impregnable as her beauty
| is irresistible. Sakemune lays traps and snares
her with ef pf
Restraints his passion Sakemune tells him OF
the bitter wrong done by his ~, aunt t; Adzumn $
hatrsd s9n aes
| meeting. and makes Morito believe that Ad-
dse ri n os
thinks he does. Morlto 1esepes the husband:
cuer, The wicked sakmune alters a verse
OF tho landscape and suspended to a maple
tree. making it appear that she has expressed
dislike for her This makes Merits
his aunt, Adzumas mother. and threatens to
kil her unless she pro!GpI,r .'s meeting with
| but alarmed. the mother sends for Adzuma.
who comes to meet the passionate lover .
This Mans Of ths s f Ri. passSs % h
Adzuma repudiates the villains, forgery; pit
sakemune has forged another letter. which
nom Rsre
Afraid that, Morito will kill her mother. and
that there save one BY
silent and sublime esolution. She agrees, e
give herself to M9rito. but he must first KIN
M Nc, is to enter her house stealthiiy al
night. She will wash her husbands hair. Sc
| that Morito may know it in the dark BY It's
head and take it away. Then she will grant
Morito accepts. With sleeves pushed back
and naked sword in hand: he enters the apart:
| ment. finds the sleeping form aud strikes of
the wetted head. Hurrying to view his ghast,
thy he of th SS SSh the sSs
head and laid down to die 70 prove her honol
to her ana othe on IN,
and noble. explaining it all. Morito. grie
stricken, .implorcs the husband to put him tc
Buddhist PRIESTS, Ksmetna. the loyer's guare
and retained. kills the villain. and the. pure
spirit Of Adzuma is seen IN a dream by Watarr
The play is in four acts. with from four tc
eight scenes in each. There arc twelve prin
cipal characters and an army o. WARRIORS re-
Permits the introdueton q G.lsha. 9r dapSHs
srdls an ana |mGgessS The sSehe is laid In TOXIC
=, Sir Edwin first heard the legend on which
play II founded at party IN t roklo WhHs
sS;a Tim Sir e EdWard
30 struck with the heroism OF, Adzuma that h.
had tho ancient records searched. and secured
roborative dotail. He, also secured photo
graphs Of tho scene OF Adzuma's tragic death
the costumes Of tho period. will furnish thu
scene painter and costumer with ample hints
Ths drama is written in blank verse. inter
Sir Edward viii arrive in this country mex
month, and will superintend the production 0
tho Worlds Fair In Chicago.