Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-08-07
EDWIN ARNoLD's NEW PLAY.
ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE prsrArcH.,

H.l
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 6--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 be
copyrighted in Washington on Monday, but
Mr. Deakfn, who superintendent the pub
lication OF "The Light Of the World,n has
kindly allowed your correspondents to see
the notes of the plot, prepared by Sir Edwin
himself Here is the poets introduction to
"The Story of Adzuma," which gives the
motive of the play:
"This true, tender, noble and pathetic
story in all its incidents the highest degree
dramatic and heartstirring. has never yet
been told in English, although for 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 par
ticulars OF the tale, or have not found access.
to good versions of it. The present
author aI,; has spared "a, no pains TO- obtain
play with the double purpose of composing
literary work In the dramatic form
worthy, II it may be, of the beautiful
hsHess sS9 also os oe
supplying for the modern English and
American stage tragedy in all respects
actabie,' and illustrating with close fidelity
the manners and motives Of the Japanese
people,"
There's Mystery In Il.
A strong Buddhist f'birth story" forms
background of mystery to the facts that
compose the play. Adrurna. also called Kesa
Gozen, lived in the reign of FORT Mato the
great Shojun Of Japan, in Kioto, the former
capital Of the Empire. Her first life was
that OF serpent, and she was instin ctively
drawn to Konlorgatoo, who afterward bore
helped to kill the eagle, Yamato, which eagle
was afterward born man, called Morfto.
Thus the destiny of two were fatally linked.
Mortto's parents dying, he Is left to the
guardianship Of strangers. The play Illus
trated the fidelity OF these retainers, q char
aoteristic of mediaeval Japan. Guided by a
tdndke, and dwells with him in happiness,
never having known Mo,ito, for whom she
had been vainly asked in marriage. Norito
passes his days in knightly exercises at the
Sho1un's court. Now the villain, a crafty,
designing friend of Mortto, by Sokemune,
secretly envying and hating Mortto. and
pears. The method of Sakemune's hatred is
largely traceable to the fact that he was O
suitor for the lovely Adzunaa.
The Trap Laid For the Heroine.
Knowing that the woman's virtue is i'm
pregnable as her beauty is irresistible, Sax
emuyae lays traps and snares to entangIe her
with Mo11to. The young knight is instantly
enamored Of Adzsfmd, but resists his pas
sion. Sdkemune tells him of the bitter wrong
done by his aunt, Adzund's mother, in re-
jecting Morito, and adds an element of
ing. and makes Mo,fto to believe that Ad-
ziaOd has fallen in love with him. A gener-
GUS deed of the husband arouses Morftos bet
ter nature and he puts aside his unholy love
n bel 1Nan NJ <l.4 kr1.
band Wdtdrt, from robbers, and the beautf-
full wife is innocentIy grateful to her hus-
bands rescuer.
The wicked Sakons,n,e alters verse which
Adzumd has written about the beauty OF the
landscape, making it appear that she has
expressed dislike for her husband. This
makes Morito cast conscience to the winds.
He denounces his aunt, Adzun,us mother.
and threatens to kill her unless she procures
meeting with Adsun,d and favors his
suit. Indignant but alarmed, the mother
meet the passionate lover. This is one Of
the thrilling soenes Of the play. Morito
pleads his passion furiously, Adz,smn repudi-
ates the williams forgery, but Sakanuns has
duces.
Love on Condition OF Murder.
Convinced of her daughters infidelity
Koro No1a,oa strikes her. Afraid that Morito
will kill her mother, and perceiving that
there is no way save one by which she can
extricate her honor, she comes to q silent
and sublime resolution. She agrees to give
herself TO Mortto, but he must first kill her
is to enter her house steaithily at
night. She will wash her lords hair
so that he may know it in the
her lords head and take It away. Then she
will grant his desires. Morito accepts.
With sleeves pushed back and naked sword
In hand he enters the apartment. finds the
Hurrying to view his CHASTITY trophy he rolls
from the cloth tho head of his dear love, the
beautiful Adzunsd,
She has lulled her master to sleep, wetted
her own head and laid down to die to prove
her honor and to save her husband and
mother. On the bloody pillow is letter,
tender. true and noble, explaining II all.
to put him to death. Wdtaru refuses, and
the two become Buddhist priests. Kametno.
the lovers guard and retainer kills the vii
a dream by Wataru ascending to the world
Of the purified.
The Details Of the Play.
The play is in four acts with from four to
eight scenes in each. There are twelve
principal characters and an army OF warri-
ors, retainers, attendants and priests. The
third act is devoted to q tea party in high
life, which permits the Introduction of
Geisha or dancing girls and jugglers. The
about 1900 A. d.
Sir Edwin first heard the legend ON which
the play is founded at party in Toxic,
most distinguished linguist Of Japan.
Arnold was SO struck with the heroism of
Adzumd that he had the ancient records
and secured the original version
with every scrap of corroborative detail. |
He also secured photographs OF the scene OF
Adzunas tragic death as well as of other
scenes of the play and had them colored.
I'LL -x1osx
of the period will furnish the scene painter
and costumer with ample hints The drama |
is written in blank verse, interspersed with
lyrics.
Arnold will arrive in this country next
month, and will superintend the production
Of the play. which he wishes brought out