Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-03-12
JAPAN'S PoETESs LAUREATE DY.
ING.

ING.
Talk about the new roman Of the &C.
cident! Why. in Japan the oppressed
sex runs nearly everything, particular.
ly the Office OF poet laureate. This post
in Japan is not the meager Office with a
tun Of wine and a beggarly salary at
tached that it IS in England. but a
courtly position with a title and much
honor and gold appertaining thereto.
The present laureate is the crowned
poetess, Seisko." Every year the poet
ess is, in accordance with the rules of
her Office. expected 10 contribute a poem
to be read at the New Years eelebra-
ton held by the Emperor.
Now word reaches Nine. Seisko's
American eompatriots that she is lying
very i'll in her palace in Jeddo. For so
years she has never failed t present
the annual poem which has been one OF
the features OF the great imperial New
Years festivals. The mikado, the
princess OF the blood and all the minis
tiers there listen in admiration to the
reading.
The 1Sthof January Is the most inter-
esting day of this festival. 1t is a sort
of p~oetical tournament in which even
the poorest peasant. if lowered with
genius. may take part. Competitive
poems must be sent to Nine. Seisko. She
selects the best of these for reading be-
fore the emperor or empress. who Sc
iect the four best for prizes.
The tournament was opened last year
with a cantata the words OF which were
by the mihado himself, who is a pupil of
Nine. Seisko. The emperor displayed
more ~rvous over the presentation
OF this cantata than over many an af-
fair of state in which the nation fig
ured. for the most mercilesS IL the most
polite critics In the world are the Jap
anese, and when it comes to poetry not
even royal rank is any protection
against their wit. Although his serene
highness had carefully coached each OF
the performers, he was a little nervous
lest stage fright, hoarseness or somo
other untoward circumstance should
mar his beautiful verses, and as a pre-
coution he limited that the headsman
would be behind the scenes with his ak
and block to attend to any stumblers.
All went OF beautifully. however.
Nine. Seislo said 1t was a very nice
poem for an amateur. and all went mer-
rily as a spring millinery opening. The
emperor was so tickled at his success
that he declared his intention of going
to work at once on a more ambitious
effort-a grand opera perhaps. IL Mime.
Seisko would kindly lend her assist
ance. Nine. Seisko graciously assent
ed, and the mikado was confident that
ere he was through he would rival the
efforts OF the western barbarian, Wag-
ner. Now that the great laureatess ia
Ill, the mikado Is in despair. She is 70
years old, and not only is she called the
tenth muse of Jeddo, but she is allied
with the noblest families OF the en-
pire.
She Is the sister OF the Baron Sam
monira, the great master OF ceremonies
OF the imperial palace. The baron rs
very proud of his gifted relative and is
well known himself for his fidelity TO
the manners and customs Of old Japan
so much 50 that the mikado. who ia
rather modern in his tastes and has
hut few prejudices. often chaffs him
mercilessly and even enjoys the fun OF
s~candalizing him.
This illustrious lady was In her time
a perfect beauty Of the smallest type.
and, though very old now. she is stilI
charming TO look at. She has the most
| aristocratic appearance, dresses beauti-
fully and makes a point Of keeping TO
the splendid japanese costume of olden
times. She wears the three white silk
p~etticoI-s, one above the other, the
purple silk or gauze dress with a wide.
| scarlet border. The whole costume IS
artistically embroidered with fancy col
ored silks and represents tiny land
scapes, houses, trees and fruits.
The sleeves are equally covered with
flowers and birds. The hair Is thrown
back and gathered on the nape OF the
neck In a knot tied with a bow Of col
ored paper, and, a detail which has its
interest for the ladies who wish to
adopt the truly elegant japanese fancy
dress-that Of the grand princesses OF
old-she does not wear the large sash
which up TO o was thought an indis-
pensable part Of the costume. On the
contrary. the thick and wide sash is
not d~istingue, but almost corresponds
10 the apron Of our b~ourgeoises.