New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-02-12
JAPANESE AMUSEM TENTS.
DAYS PLEASURE WITH SOME MEM
BEERS OF THE FAST SET.

TO show how japanese gentlemen sometimes
nmuse themselves / may cite the following:
| While connected with the Third Higher Middle
School, when It occupied buildings near the
Castle In Osaka, | was called on one afternoon
! by one OF my scholars, who had been sent by
gentleman 10 invite me to spend the next day
with him and some Of his friends in the pursuit
or pleasure after the japanese fashion. l vas
told that my host would send for me about
o'clock. and that my young pupil himself would
| be In attendance to act as Interpreter I'm case
my knowledge Of the language was insufficient
to assure me that clear understanding Of the
conversation and Of the pay-the theatre to
| be the scene Of our frOlic during much Of the
Gay when would be essential to my enjoyment
The invitation had been accompanied by OF
those pretty boxes " sweets which the japanese
so often send In such cases.
| Next morning, promptly At the hour named,
| arrived a handsome jinrksha drawn by two
men in livery, and / taken to my enter
! tainer's town house. where l met some Of his
friends We were served with cigarettes, tea,
cakes and tiny cup two OF the finest sake.
At II we went to a fine restaurant, one OF those
when, while retaining the native menu. have
introduced many details to contribute to the
comfort Of foreign guests. ! was, however a
little disappointed. We were shown to a large
apartment overlooking n pretty little garden.
| This room was furnished more than one usually
finds such places, for there hemp rugs
| the floor over the mats. the paintings on the
fusuma Cthe sliding panels which serve as parti-
lions between the rOoms) were exceptionally fine,
and the ramma (thc carved openwOrk dadOs)
were beautiful specimens of the cabinet makers
''''''
! from the ceiling. We were seated on the small,
fat cushions which served in lieu Of chairs;
small, low tables OF convenient height were
placed, one for each person. and the first course
OF an elaborate meal was served-a cup Of sake
and some comfts Then the geisha, profess
siona singing and dancing girls and the samisen
players appeared TO add TO the entertainment
They did not devote themselves exclusively to
| their arts. for some OF them helped in serving
the sake and engaged In conversation with us.
/ found the young woman who had been detailed
especially to attend to me to be a remarkably
bright person, well able 10 make me understand
her conversation and what was even more sat-
sfactory, able to understand my Japanese fairly
WELL so that while at the restaurant l had little
occasion to call in the aid OF my interpreter.
These gesha constitute such an important
factor in the amusements Of japanese gentlemen
that few words concerning them may not be
out OF place. Like the Greek hetser9, they ara
usually sold 10 their trainers when quite young
(often at the age OF seveI) by their indgent
! parents, and are carefully educated in music,
| conversation and dancing. They are always
| handsomely dressed. but in snowy materials
and In a peculiar style which distinguishes them
from respectable women. who invariably wear
plain clothes OF subdued coors. The life. onca
entered upon, is difficult TO escape from; but so
| far as the girls personally concerned no dis
grace attaches TO them. If man ransoms one
and marries her she takes his rank and station
without any stigma attaching TO her. / have
met in the highest japanese society women who
had been geisha for time, but who were re-
coy ed as their husbands equals without a
question being asked as to their antecedents- IL
Is curious phase OF society.
| At about D. m the bowl OF plain boiled rico
and the cup of tea which mark the end OF a
| feast I'm Japan, in China, were served. and We
were then asked TO get ready for the theatre
| Unlike China, buildings used expressly for
| Thespan purposes are common in Japan, al
though out-of-door performances on a tempo
rary stage also given. The theatres OF Osaka
are in the DotOm-bori district and are sur
rounded by sideshows OF every description. We
went TO the largest and best-a plain wooden
building not in any way attractive as regards
It's exterior nor ornamental In its interior. The
auditorium is a large. square room. the fiat floor
being divided into many small sections by low
railings each section accommodating SIX or
eight persons and being equipped with mats.
party may hire q section, single tickets may
be bought the holder taking his chance Of get
ting a place whore he can. Ushers are in at
tendance, also peders Of playbooks, fruit and
lunches, for theatrical day is a long one. last
ing from early morning until late al nght Inc
1atncss Of the floor IS no obstacle TO vision, aS
the stage is high enough for all to see well
Surrounding the pit Is q gallery divided INTO
boxes and one of these had been reserved for
our party. A couple Of red blankets had been
spread to protect the mats, and chairs were pro-
vided for our comfOrt-a thoughtful concession
to the stiff joints Of the foreigner although tend
ing 20 make him unpleasantly conspicuous. The
stage was revolving one. ana the scenery and
accessories, While decidedly crude were Il
marked Improvement over the bare theatres OF
China The plays-for We saw part OF two
were amusing comedies bordering the farce.
Every body smoked. women as well as men. and
at intervals tea and s1eetmeats were served TO
our party. Some Of the most effective entrances
Of the performers were made from the rear OF
the building, along narrow asles raised a little
above the floor, and ! noticed that some OF the
spectators sat along the edge Of the stage. as
they used 70 do In England in Shakespeares
time
AT about 6 o'clock one play ended The actors
suspended operations for supper, and we went
to n restaurant next door for ours-another
elaborate meal at which ! learned why had
been asked if ! were fond Of cells la Japonaisei
We returned TO the theatre about $50 10 find
another play going on. ! stayed until 10, when
thought had had enough. and went home. My
hnc IN he n fIn dcnnrninfn Cd q